How many games are in the NFL season?

The NFL season will kick off in September. How many games are played by each team? 

The 2023 NFL season will kick off on Sept. 7 in Kansas City with a battle between the reigning-champion Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. From there, all 32 teams will embark on a regular season journey in pursuit of the same goal: winning the Super Bowl.

With a few notable exceptions, every fanbase starts the season with a sense of cautious optimism. Anything is possible — and that often feels especially true in football. Young teams can overachieve; players can emerge out of nowhere to become game-changing talents.

Here’s what you need to know about the length of the NFL regular season.

How many games are in the NFL season?

All 32 teams play 17 regular season games. That is a recent development: before the 2021-22 season, teams only played 16 games a piece. There has been a lot of controversy over the years regarding player safety and the rigors of a long season, but 17 games offers more TV revenue for the league office and more stadium revenue for each franchise.

In total, 272 regular season games populate the league’s schedule.

How many games are in the NFL playoffs?

Seven teams from each conference advanced to the NFL playoffs. From there, six games (three from each conference) are played on wildcard weekend between the 2-7 seeds. Then, the divisional round features four more games (two from each conference), before the NFC and AFC championship games in round three, which feature the winners of the divisional round. After that, of course, is the Super Bowl.

In total, 13 games are played between 14 teams in the NFL playoffs.

Last year, the Chiefs emerged on the mountaintop victorious. This season, 31 teams will have the opportunity to knock Patrick Mahomes and Co. off their pedestal. It should be a fun ride. You can see the full NFL schedule here.