How Many Regular Season Games Do NFL Teams Currently Play?

If you’ve been following the NFL for years or you’re just getting into American football, you might have noticed that the league has made a few changes to the schedule over time. One of the most common questions fans still ask is simple: How many games does an NFL team play in the regular season today?

The answer isn’t complicated, but the story behind it is interesting. Let’s break it down in a clear and straightforward way.

The Current Number: 17 Regular Season Games

As of now, each NFL team plays 17 regular season games. This change became official starting with the 2021 NFL season, when the league expanded the schedule from the long-standing 16-game format.

That might not sound like a big jump, but for NFL teams, coaches, and players, adding an extra game shifts preparation, endurance, and playoff dynamics in significant ways. For fans, it simply means more football, which most people welcome.

A Quick Look Back: The Evolution of the NFL Schedule

From 14 Games to 16 Games

Before the 17-game era, the NFL had kept the 16-game schedule for 43 years, starting in 1978. That format became the standard, and generations of fans grew up with it.

Why Increase to 17 Games?

The schedule change came after negotiations between the NFL and the players’ union. The additional game was part of a new collective bargaining agreement that also included:

• More revenue for players

• Expanded benefits

• A longer-term contract between both parties

From the league’s perspective, more games meant more TV rights, more coverage, and more excitement throughout the season.

How the 17-Game Schedule Works

With an uneven number of games, the NFL had to make small adjustments to keep things fair.

1. Home and Away Balance

Because 17 is an odd number, teams alternate home-field advantage each season.

• One year, your team plays nine home games and eight away.

• The next year, it flips: eight home games and nine away.

2. Extra Opponent Format

The added 17th game isn’t random. It’s based on a rotating formula:

• Each team plays a non-conference opponent (AFC vs NFC)

• The matchup is determined by the prior year’s divisional standings

• This keeps the schedule competitive and balanced

For example, if an NFC East team finished second in their division last year, their 17th game is against a second-place team from an AFC division that’s part of that year’s rotation.

Preseason and Bye Weeks: How They Fit In

Preseason Games

With the regular season expanding, the NFL cut down preseason games. Teams now play:

• Three preseason games (instead of four)

• Two preseason games for teams playing internationally

This change was widely supported since players have consistently viewed preseason games as unnecessary risks.

Bye Weeks

Even though the season is longer, each team still gets one bye week. That week off becomes even more important now since teams must stay physically ready for an extra regular season game.

Total Games in an NFL Season (Regular Season + Postseason)

While every team is guaranteed 17 regular season games, the total number of games a team might play depends on playoff success.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• 17 regular season games

• Playoff teams can play 1–4 additional games

• Teams in the Super Bowl play the maximum

So a Super Bowl contender could end up playing as many as 21 games in one season.

What Fans Think About the 17-Game Schedule

NFL fans are generally split, but in a good way:

What Fans Like

• More games to watch

• More meaningful matchups

• Extra stats for fantasy football

• Longer regular season drama

Common Concerns

• Injuries may rise with more playing time

• Some feel 16 was already a perfect balance

• Historical records become harder to compare

Though the opinions vary, the excitement of an extra week of NFL action has kept fan engagement high.

Will the NFL Increase the Number of Games Again?

There’s always speculation about whether the NFL might eventually move to 18 regular season games. League officials have hinted that it’s possible someday, but no formal plan exists yet.

If such a change ever comes, it will require:

• Another agreement between the NFL and players

• Adjustments to preseason and bye weeks

• Careful consideration of player health and workload

For now, 17 games is here to stay, and both teams and fans have embraced the new rhythm of the season.

Conclusion.

The NFL’s shift to a 17-game regular season has added more action, more storylines, and more suspense for football fans. While it changed decades of tradition, it also brought fresh excitement to each year’s schedule.

Whether you’re tracking your favorite team, analyzing matchups, or just enjoying the weekly buildup, knowing how the NFL season works helps you follow the sport with more clarity.

And at the end of the day, most fans agree: an extra week of football isn’t something to complain about.