Expansion / Realignment Schedules
NFL Current
- Organization
- 2 conferences...
- ... each with 4 divisions ...
- of 4 teams ...
- for 32 teams total
- Regular Season
- Division vs. division match-ups rotate each year
- Teams play at least once every 4 years
| Happens | Opponents | Weeks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Division | Twice | 3 | 6 |
| Rotating Division Inside Conference | Once | 4 | 4 |
| Same Rank Inside Conference | Once | 2 | 2 |
| Same Rank Outside Conference | Once | 1 | 1 |
| Rotating Division Outside Conference | Once | 4 | 4 |
| Byes | Once | None | 1 |
| 14 | 18 | ||
| Postseason | 8 division winners and top 8 remaining teams | 4 | |
| 1 Extra Week Before Super Bowl | 1 | ||
| Total | 23 | ||
NFL Restructured
- Organization
- 4 divisions ...
- of 8 teams ...
- for 32 teams total
- Regular Season
- Division vs. division match-ups rotate each year
- Teams play at least once every 3 years
| Happens | Opponents | Weeks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Division | Once | 7 | 7 |
| Rotating Division | Once | 8 | 8 |
| Byes | Twice | None | 2 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Postseason | 4 division winners and top 12 remaining teams | 4 | |
| 1 Extra Week Before Super Bowl | 1 | ||
| Total | 22 | ||
NFL Expanded To 36
- Organization
- 4 divisions ...
- of 9 teams
- Regular Season
- Division vs. division match-ups rotate each year
- Teams play at least once every 3 years
| Happens | Opponents | Weeks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Division | Once | 8 | 8 |
| Rotating Division | Once | 9 | 9 |
| Byes | Twice | None | 2 |
| Regular Seasons | 17 | 19 | |
| Postseason | 4 division winners and top 12 remaining teams | 4 | |
| 1 Extra Week Before Super Bowl | 1 | ||
| Total | 24 | ||