How the NFL Playoffs Work
How the NFL playoffs work: 7 teams per conference (AFC and NFC), single elimination, 4 rounds, ending in Super Bowl LXI.
Playoff format
7 teams qualify from each conference (AFC and NFC): the four division winners are seeded 1-4 by record, and the three best non-division-winners are seeded 5-7 as wild cards. Every game is single elimination.
Rounds
| # | Round | Games | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wild Card Round | 6 | 2027-01-16 to 2027-01-18 |
| 2 | Divisional Round | 4 | 2027-01-23 to 2027-01-24 |
| 3 | Conference Championships | 2 | 2027-01-31 |
| 4 | Super Bowl LXI | 1 | 2027-02-14 |
Bye and reseeding
Only the No. 1 seed in each conference skips the Wild Card Round. In the Divisional Round, the No. 1 seed faces the lowest remaining seed and the other two winners play each other. The higher seed hosts every game; Super Bowl LXI is played at a neutral site.
Tiebreakers
- Head-to-head
- Division record (division ties) / conference record (wild-card ties)
- Common games (minimum four)
- Conference record
- Strength of victory
- Strength of schedule
- Combined ranking in points scored and allowed
- Net points in common games, then net points overall, then net touchdowns, then coin toss
Overtime in the playoffs
Playoff overtime is played in full 15-minute periods until a winner is decided; both teams get a possession unless the first possession ends in a safety. Playoff games cannot end in a tie.
Format FAQ
When do the 2027 NFL playoffs start?
The Wild Card Round is scheduled for 2027-01-16 to 2027-01-18, the weekend after the 2026 regular season ends (2027-01-10). The NFL calls this the 2026-27 postseason.
When and where is Super Bowl LXI?
Super Bowl LXI is on Sunday, February 14, 2027 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California.
How many teams make the NFL playoffs?
7 teams from each conference — 4 division winners plus 3 wild cards — for 14 in total. Only the No. 1 seed in each conference gets a first-round bye.
Does the NFL reseed after the Wild Card?
Yes. In the Divisional Round the No. 1 seed plays the lowest remaining seed and the other two winners meet, so the bracket is not fixed after round one.
Who gets home-field advantage?
The higher seed hosts every game until Super Bowl LXI, which is played at a neutral site.