FOOTBALL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
NFL Season & Schedule FAQs
Follow the football calendar, from the regular season to the playoffs.
Preseason
Do preseason games count in the standings?
No. NFL preseason results do not count in regular-season or playoff standings.
How many preseason games does each NFL team play?
Most NFL teams play three preseason games, while the two Hall of Fame Game participants play four.
Why do NFL teams play preseason games?
Preseason games let teams evaluate players, practice systems, and prepare for the regular season.
Regular Season
How is an NFL team's regular-season schedule created?
The NFL uses a rotating opponent formula, previous-season standings, and operational constraints to build each schedule.
How many regular-season games does each NFL team play?
Each NFL team currently plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks.
How many weeks are in the NFL regular season?
The NFL regular season currently spans 18 weeks.
How often do division rivals play each other?
NFL division rivals play twice during each regular season.
Bye Weeks
How are NFL bye weeks assigned?
The NFL places each team's bye within the master schedule while balancing many competitive and operational constraints.
How many bye weeks does each NFL team get?
Each NFL team receives one bye week during the regular season.
What is an NFL bye week?
A bye week is a scheduled regular-season week in which a team does not play.