If you’re wondering how many Wild Card teams are in the NFL, the short answer is six. Under the league’s current playoff format, six Wild Card teams qualify for the postseason every year, making up nearly half of the playoff field.
This structure has been in place since the 2020 NFL season and has added more excitement, late-season drama, and playoff opportunities across the league.
NFL Playoff Format Explained
The National Football League features 14 total playoff teams, split evenly between its two conferences:
- AFC (American Football Conference): 7 teams
- NFC (National Football Conference): 7 teams
Each conference sends:
- 4 division winners
- 3 Wild Card teams
That means 3 Wild Card teams per conference, for a total of 6 Wild Card teams league-wide.
What Is a Wild Card Team in the NFL?
A Wild Card team is a club that qualifies for the playoffs without winning its division. These teams earn their spots based on overall regular-season record compared to other non-division winners in the same conference.
Wild Card teams are seeded No. 5 through No. 7 in each conference.
How the Wild Card Round Works
The Wild Card Round is the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs:
- No. 2 seed vs. No. 7 seed
- No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed
- No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed
- No. 1 seed gets a bye
This setup results in six Wild Card games total—three in the AFC and three in the NFC.
When Did the NFL Add a 7th Playoff Team?
The NFL expanded from 12 to 14 playoff teams in 2020, increasing the number of Wild Card teams from 4 to 6. The change:
- Added two extra Wild Card teams
- Reduced first-round byes from two per conference to one
- Increased late-season playoff races and TV viewership
Why the NFL Wild Card Matters
The expanded Wild Card format has produced:
- More meaningful games in Weeks 16–18
- More playoff opportunities for competitive teams
- Historic Super Bowl runs by Wild Card teams, including multiple champions
Several Wild Card teams have gone on to reach — and win — the Super Bowl, proving that you don’t need a division title to make a deep playoff run.
Quick Answer: How Many Wild Card Teams Are in the NFL?
- Total Wild Card teams: 6
- Wild Card teams per conference: 3
- Total playoff teams: 14
Final Thoughts
The NFL’s six-team Wild Card system has transformed the postseason into one of the most competitive playoff formats in professional sports. With more teams in the hunt and fewer byes available, every regular-season game carries major playoff implications.