NFL playoffs

Template:American football The NFL playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held after the regular season to determine the NFL champion. The tournament culminates in the Super Bowl, which is usually held on the first Sunday in February and involves the champions of the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).

History

The NFL playoffs began in 1933 when the NFL was divided into two divisions and the champions of each division met in the NFL Championship Game. Over the years, the format has expanded several times to include more teams and introduce various rounds of competition. As of the latest format, adopted in 2020, the playoffs include 14 teams, with seven from each conference.

Format

The current NFL playoffs format includes four rounds: the Wild Card Round, the Divisional Round, the Conference Championships, and the Super Bowl. The top seed from each conference receives a bye in the first round, which means they automatically advance to the Divisional Round. The remaining teams are seeded 2 to 7, and the first round is played among these teams. The winners advance to face the higher-seeded teams in the subsequent rounds.

Wild Card Round

In the Wild Card Round, the second seed hosts the seventh seed, the third seed hosts the sixth seed, and the fourth seed hosts the fifth seed. The winners of these games advance to the Divisional Round.

Divisional Round

In the Divisional Round, the number one seed hosts the lowest-seeded Wild Card survivor, while the highest-seeded winner from the Wild Card Round faces the second-highest seed. The winners of these games advance to the Conference Championships.

Conference Championships

The Conference Championships determine the champions of the NFC and AFC. The winners of the Divisional Round games within each conference face off to decide who will represent their conference in the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl pits the champions of the NFC and AFC against each other to determine the NFL champion. The game is held at a neutral site, selected several years in advance, and is the culmination of the NFL season.

Significance and Reception

The NFL playoffs are highly anticipated and widely watched, drawing large television audiences. The playoffs are known for dramatic games and have produced many memorable moments in NFL history. The Super Bowl, in particular, has grown to become a major U.S. cultural event, featuring elaborate halftime shows and commercial premieres.

Records and Statistics

Various records are maintained for the NFL playoffs, including most appearances, most wins, and records for individual performances in playoff games. Notable records include the most Super Bowl wins by a team and the most playoff games played by an individual.

Criticism and Controversies

The NFL playoffs are not without criticism, particularly regarding the seeding system and the perceived advantage given to teams with better regular-season records. Additionally, the pressure of single-elimination games can lead to conservative game strategies, which some critics argue detract from the entertainment value. Template:NFL-stub