The NFL is known for its constant adjustments to the sport’s rules, making it a challenge for fans to keep up with all the changes. However, one recent modification that has become familiar to fans is the league’s revamped playoff format. Prior to the start of the 2020 NFL season, the league expanded its postseason structure from 12 teams to 14. This expansion resulted in a minor adjustment to the format, eliminating first-round byes for two teams in each conference.
Currently in its fifth year, the NFL’s latest postseason alteration continues to shape the landscape of the playoffs. Let’s take a closer look at the league’s playoff format, particularly focusing on the allocation of bye weeks for teams.
When it comes to the number of NFL teams that receive a bye in the playoffs, the answer is two. The first-round byes are granted to the No. 1 seeds in each conference. For the 2025 NFL playoffs, these coveted spots belong to the AFC’s Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC’s Detroit Lions.
In the previous playoff format, the top two seeds in each conference were awarded byes in the first round, given that there was no No. 7 seed in either conference. However, with the expansion of the playoff field from 12 to 14 teams starting in the 2020 NFL season, the 2021 NFL playoffs marked the first time only one team did not receive a bye week.
So far, No. 7 seeds have struggled on wild-card weekend, boasting a record of just 1-7. The Green Bay Packers are the sole team to secure a victory in this scenario, achieving this feat during the 2024 NFL playoffs following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL season.
Below is a breakdown of the NFL playoff format:
Wild Card Round:
– No. 1 seed receives a bye.
– No. 7 seed plays at the No. 2 seed.
– No. 6 seed plays at the No. 3 seed.
– No. 5 seed plays at the No. 4 seed.
Divisional Round:
– Lowest remaining seed plays at the No. 1 seed.
– Second-lowest remaining seed plays at the second-highest remaining seed.
Conference Championship:
– Winners from the Divisional Round face off, with the game hosted by the higher seed.
Super Bowl:
– The champions from the Conference Championships clash in the highly anticipated Super Bowl.
Regarding the upcoming 2025 NFL playoffs schedule, the action kicks off on Jan. 11 with the wild card weekend and concludes on Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 scheduled to take place in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.
Here’s the schedule for the wild card round:
Saturday, Jan. 11:
– Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
– Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 8 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime Video)
Sunday, Jan
