NFL playoff bracket, defined: How byes, seeding will work in 2022 with 17-game format

The NFL made a essential determination about its postseason format earlier than the 2020 NFL common season. As an alternative of getting 12 groups concerned within the playoffs, the NFL would come with 14 in the course of the 2021 NFL postseason.

The transfer was initially met with skepticism. In spite of everything, the NFL has, arguably, the very best playoff format of any of the 4 main sports activities, so why change one thing that is working?

However quickly after, NFL followers realized that the expanded postseason meant there could be two additional NFL video games. So, they stopped complaining and the primary 14-team postseason got here and went with no main hitch.

The 14-team postseason does have some key variations from the 12-team playoff of previous. Here is a refresher about how the 14-team model of the NFL playoffs works and why the NFL finally added extra postseason video games earlier than final season started.

MORE: Full schedule, breakdown for 2022 NFL postseason

What number of groups make the NFL playoffs?

A complete of 14 groups will make the NFL playoffs in 2022. This may mark the second season of the NFL’s 14-team playoff. Beforehand, 12 groups — six from every convention — made the playoffs however the NFL modified that forward of the 2020 NFL season.

Now, seven groups from the AFC and 7 from the NFC will make the postseason. That solely impacts the playoff bracket by including a seventh seed in every convention and eliminating the bye week for the No. 2 seed.

Beneath the NFL’s new format, 43.75 p.c of the league’s groups will probably be concerned in postseason play. Division winners will nonetheless be seeded Nos. 1-4 by document with the ultimate three spots being stuffed by Wild Card groups.

NFL playoff bracket 2022

Beneath, you may see how the 2022 NFL playoff bracket will work. The No. 1 seed in every convention will start the match with a bye whereas the No. 2 seed performs No. 7, No. 3 performs No. 6 and No. 4 performs No. 5 on both sides.

Here is a take a look at the most recent NFL playoff bracket for 2022, up to date by means of Week 17:

AFC

1. Tennessee Titans (bye)
2. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vs. 7. Los Angeles Chargers
3. Cincinnati Bengals vs. 6. Indianapolis Colts
4. Buffalo Payments vs. 5. New England Patriots

NFC

1. Inexperienced Bay Packers (bye)
2. Los Angeles Rams vs. 7. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. 6. San Francisco 49ers
4. Dallas Cowboys vs. 5. Arizona Cardinals

What number of groups get a first-round bye?

Simply two complete groups — one in every convention — get a bye week beneath the NFL’s new playoff format. That is due to the growth of the Wild Card spherical so as to add a No. 2 vs. No. 7 seed matchup in each the AFC and NFC.

The elimination of the second bye was crucial, as making the No. 2 seed play ensures that half of the 12 groups that play on Wild Card weekend will probably be eradicated. Which means eight will play within the divisional spherical and the NFL will proceed to halve the full of groups from there till one is left standing after the Tremendous Bowl.

Why did the NFL increase the playoff subject?

It is all concerning the cash. The additional playoff recreation will generate income that the NFL in any other case would not have, and it’s permitting the league to have an additional prime-time broadcast, as they’ll play a “Monday Evening Soccer” postseason recreation for the primary time in 2022.

It additionally retains extra groups within the playoff hunt longer in the course of the 18-week season. That makes every recreation a bit extra significant and provides the fan bases of middling groups additional hope that they’ll qualify for the postseason.

Does the No. 2 seed have any profit with no bye?

The No. 2 seed is much much less enticing with no bye. The staff that will get the No. 2 seed is assured two dwelling video games — offered that they’ll dispatch the No. 7 seed within the Wild Card spherical. After that, they might both journey to the No. 1 seed’s dwelling for the AFC or NFC championship or get to host the championship recreation if the No. 1 seed is upset.

That mentioned, it is quite a bit totally different than the bye week that the staff used to get, because the No. 2 seed must play an additional recreation that earlier No. 2 seeds have not needed to play. So, groups are much less prone to struggle laborious for it if they’ve the chance to relaxation their gamers late within the season, particularly if they’ve their division title wrapped up and do not have a shot on the No. 1 seed.

Does the NFL’s seventeenth recreation have an effect on the playoffs?

The addition of a seventeenth regular-season recreation will not have a lot of an affect on the playoffs themselves. The most important change is that the NFL postseason calendar will probably be moved again by per week due to the additional video games. As such, the Tremendous Bowl will now happen on the second Sunday in February as an alternative of the primary.

Additionally, the playoff race will probably be a bit longer and extra packed than regular. Due to the additional recreation, groups which are sizzling on the finish of the yr may have a greater likelihood to make a postseason run, as they will have additional time to make up floor within the standings.

NFL playoff schedule 2022

wild-card spherical

Saturday, Jan. 15

Sunday, Jan. 16

Monday, Jan. 17

divisional spherical

Saturday, Jan. 22

Sunday, Jan. 23

Convention championships

Sunday, Jan. 30

Tremendous Bowl 56

Sunday, Feb. 13