How Many Wildcard Teams In the NFL?
Contents
There are a total of six NFL teams that qualified for the playoffs as wildcard teams.
How the NFL Wildcard System Works
In the NFL, the team with the best record in each conference is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, as are the two teams with the next-best records. The other two spots in each conference go to the winners of what are called “wild card” games. The NFL playoff system is setup so that there are a total of six wild card teams—two from each conference.
The four divisional winners automatically qualify for the playoffs and are seeded 1-4 based on their regular season record. The two conference runners-up with the next-best records also qualify for the playoffs and are seeded 5-6. These seeds mean that divisional winners will always play one of the wild card teams in the first round of the playoffs.
The three divisional winners with the best records receive bye weeks in the first round of the playoffs. The top seed plays the lowest seed remaining from among their division’s two wild card qualifiers, while seed #2 plays seed #3 from among their division’s two wild card qualifiers.
So, to sum it up, there are a total of six wild card teams in each NFL conference—the four divisional winners and two wild card qualifiers.
How Many Wildcard Teams Are There in the NFL?
The NFL playoffs are made up of six teams, four division winners and two wildcard teams. The four division winners are seeded 1-4 based on their record, with the top seed receiving a bye in the first round. The two wildcard teams are seeded 5 and 6 and play each other in the first round.
In the AFC
In the AFC, there are six division winners and two wild card teams.
In the NFC
In the National Football Conference (NFC), there are four division winners and two wild card teams. The four division winners are seeded 1-4 based on their record, with the #1 seed receiving a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The #2 and #3 seeds host the #6 and #5 seeds, respectively, in the first round.
The two wild card teams in the NFC are seeded #5 and #6.
What Are the Chances of a Wildcard Team Winning the Super Bowl?
For years, the NFL’s playoff format has included four division winners and two wildcard teams. The division winners are seeded 1-4 based on their regular season records, with the top seed receiving a bye in the first round. The two wildcard teams are seeded 5-6 and must play in the first round.
In recent years, there have been calls to expand the playoffs to include more teams. Some have proposed that eight teams should make the playoffs, with four division winners and four wildcard teams. Others have proposed that all division winners should receive a bye into the second round of the playoffs, with only two wildcard teams playing in the first round.
The chances of a wildcard team winning the Super Bowl are very slim. Since the current playoff format was introduced in 1990, only four wildcard teams have reached the Super Bowl, and only one of those (the Green Bay Packers) has won it. In contrast, 12 of the 28 Super Bowls since 1990 have been won by division winners (43%).
So while it is possible for a wildcard team to win the Super Bowl, it is very unlikely. If you’re a fan of a team that is fighting for a spot in the playoffs, your best hope is that your team can win its division and avoid having to play in the Wild Card round.
Who Are the Current Wildcard Teams?
In the National Football League (NFL), a wild card team is a team that did not win its division but is still eligible to participate in the playoffs. As of the 2019 season, there are four teams per conference that qualify for the playoffs as wild card teams. These teams are seeded fifth and sixth in their respective conferences.
In the AFC
-The Baltimore Ravens are currently the first team in the AFC with a record of 10-2. They clinched a playoff berth with their Week 12 win over the Rams.
-The New England Patriots are currently the second team in the AFC with a record of 10-2. They clinched a playoff berth with their Week 12 win over the Texans.
-The Kansas City Chiefs are currently the third team in the AFC with a record of 9-4. They clinched a playoff berth with their Week 13 win over the Raiders.
-The Houston Texans are currently the fourth team in the AFC with a record of 8-4.
In the NFC
The NFC has four teams that are vying for a spot in the playoffs as a Wildcard team. These teams are the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions, and the Seattle Seahawks. All of these teams have a chance to make the playoffs, but it will be a fight to the finish to see who gets the two Wildcard spots.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a total of six wildcard teams in the NFL. These teams include the four division winners and two wildcard teams. The two wildcard teams are the next two highest seeds in each conference.
