If you’re wondering how many teams make the NFL playoffs, the answer is 14 teams. The National Football League expanded the postseason format starting with the 2020 season, increasing the number of playoff teams from 12 to 14. This structure remains in place today and continues to shape the road to the Super Bowl.
Below is a clear, up-to-date breakdown of how the NFL playoff system works, how teams qualify, and what fans should know heading into the postseason.
How Many Teams Make the NFL Playoffs?
In total, 14 teams qualify for the NFL playoffs each season.
- 7 teams from the AFC
- 7 teams from the NFC
With 32 teams in the league, that means nearly 44% of the NFL qualifies for the postseason every year.
How NFL Playoff Teams Are Selected
Each conference sends seven teams to the playoffs, divided as follows:
Division Winners (4 Teams Per Conference)
Each conference has four divisions:
- North
- South
- East
- West
The team with the best record in each division automatically qualifies, giving four playoff teams per conference.
Wild Card Teams (3 Teams Per Conference)
In addition to division winners, the next three teams with the best overall records—regardless of division—earn Wild Card spots.
This results in:
- 4 division winners
- 3 wild card teams
- 7 total playoff teams per conference
Who Gets a Bye in the NFL Playoffs?
Only one team per conference earns a first-round bye.
- The No. 1 seed in the AFC
- The No. 1 seed in the NFC
These teams automatically advance to the Divisional Round, while the remaining 12 teams compete in the Wild Card Round.
NFL Playoff Structure Explained
The NFL postseason follows a single-elimination format:
- Wild Card Round – 12 teams play, 6 advance
- Divisional Round – 8 teams remain
- Conference Championships – AFC & NFC title games
- Super Bowl – AFC champion vs. NFC champion
Every game is win-or-go-home.
When Did the NFL Expand to 14 Playoff Teams?
The NFL officially expanded the playoffs to 14 teams in 2020 as part of a new collective bargaining agreement. Before that, only 12 teams qualified, and two teams per conference received first-round byes.
The expansion added:
- One extra Wild Card team per conference
- Additional playoff games
- More late-season playoff races and TV matchups
Why the 14-Team NFL Playoff Format Matters
The current format:
- Keeps more teams in playoff contention late into the season
- Increases the importance of earning the No. 1 seed
- Creates more Wild Card weekend games for fans
It also makes Week 18 one of the most competitive weeks in the NFL calendar.
Quick FAQ: NFL Playoffs
How many total teams are in the NFL?
32 teams
How many teams make the playoffs?
14 teams
How many teams per conference?
7 from the AFC, 7 from the NFC
How many teams get a bye?
2 total (1 per conference)
Is the playoff format changing soon?
As of now, the 14-team format remains unchanged.
Final Answer: How Many Teams Make the NFL Playoffs?
To sum it up, 14 teams make the NFL playoffs every season, with seven teams from each conference competing for a chance to win the Super Bowl. The expanded format has added intensity, drama, and higher stakes across the league—especially in the final weeks of the regular season.