NFL Schedule Guide
The NFL season runs nearly seven months from the first preseason snap to the Super Bowl. Understanding how the schedule is built makes it easier to track key matchups, plan your bets, and spot value during the year.
When Does the NFL Season Start?
The NFL calendar typically opens in early August with the preseason, highlighted by the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. While preseason results do not count in the standings, they offer a first look at rookies, depth charts, and quarterback battles.
The regular season usually begins in early September with a Thursday night opener featuring the defending Super Bowl champions at home. From there, the league rolls into an 18 week regular season that runs through early January.
How the NFL Schedule Is Structured
Each team plays 17 regular season games over 18 weeks, with one bye week built in.
The schedule follows a rotating formula:
- Six games against divisional opponents, home and away
- Four games against another division within the same conference
- Four games against a division from the opposite conference
- Two games against teams from the remaining divisions in the same conference, based on prior year standings
- One additional interconference game determined by a rotating conference matchup
This system ensures every team plays all other teams in its conference at least once every three years and hosts every interconference team at least once every four years.
How Many Games Are in the NFL Season?
The full regular season includes 272 games across the league. Matchups are spread across:
- Thursday Night Football
- Sunday afternoon games
- Sunday Night Football
- Monday Night Football
- Select Saturday games late in the season
Flexible scheduling is used later in the year, allowing the league to move more meaningful games into primetime windows.
When Do the NFL Playoffs Start?
The playoffs begin in early January. Fourteen teams qualify:
- Four division winners from each conference
- Three wild card teams from each conference
The top seed in each conference earns a first round bye. The postseason unfolds through the Wild Card Round, Divisional Round, and Conference Championships before culminating in the Super Bowl in early February.
