As the 2024 NFL regular season draws to a close, only four teams have officially secured a spot in the playoffs, leaving 28 teams still vying for a place in the postseason. With just four weeks remaining, the race is heating up, and fans are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the season. Out of the 14 teams that will ultimately make it to the playoffs, seven have already been eliminated, leaving 21 teams battling for survival.
What Are the NFL Playoffs?
The NFL features 32 teams, divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Both conferences are further split into four divisions: East, North, West, and South.
Each team plays 17 games during the regular season over the course of 18 weeks, with one bye week. Once the regular season ends, seven teams from each conference make it to the playoffs: the four division winners and the three teams with the best remaining records.
Playoff Structure
The playoffs will run through January, culminating in Super Bowl LIX, set for February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The playoff format includes several rounds: the wild card round, divisional games, and conference championships. The two teams that win their respective conference championships will earn a spot in the Super Bowl.
The postseason is structured so that the team with the best regular-season record in each conference gets a bye in the first week of the playoffs, entering the action in the divisional round. All playoff games are single-elimination, held at the home stadium of the higher-seeded team.
Tie Situation in the Super Bowl
In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time in the postseason or the Super Bowl, a 15-minute overtime period will be played. The first team to score—whether by touchdown, field goal, or safety—wins the game, provided that there has been an offensive opportunity for both teams.
Super Bowl Overtime: A Rare and Thrilling Event
Overtime in the Super Bowl is a high-stakes affair, and there have only been two instances in the past decade when the championship game went into overtime. These moments are among the most memorable in recent NFL history.
The first overtime Super Bowl occurred in Super Bowl LI (2017), when the New England Patriots made an incredible comeback against the Atlanta Falcons. After trailing 28-9 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots rallied to tie the game and ultimately won 34-28 in overtime.
The second overtime Super Bowl took place in Super Bowl LVIII (2024), when the Kansas City Chiefs faced the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The dramatic finish highlighted the tension and excitement that overtime brings to the biggest stage in football.
Super Bowl Overtime Rules (2025)
As the 2025 season approaches, here’s what you can expect from Super Bowl overtime:
Duration: Each overtime period lasts 15 minutes. If the game is still tied after the first overtime, additional overtime periods will be played until a winner is determined.
Coin Toss: The visiting team calls the toss, just as it would during the regular season.
Possession: Both teams are guaranteed at least one possession in overtime, regardless of whether the first team scores a touchdown. If the score remains tied after each team has had a possession, play continues, and the next team to score wins.
Timeouts: Each team is allotted three timeouts per overtime period.
Intermissions: Between overtime periods, there is a two-minute intermission. Unlike the regular season, there is no halftime break after the second overtime period.
Challenges: Coaches' challenges are not allowed in overtime. All reviews are initiated by the replay official.
NFL Playoffs
As the playoffs unfold and the battle for the Super Bowl intensifies, the overtime rules add a layer of drama and unpredictability to the already thrilling NFL postseason. Fans can expect plenty of excitement as teams fight for a spot in the championship game, where history and glory are on the line.
The NFL playoffs offer a dramatic conclusion to the regular season, with teams battling it out for a chance to hoist the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy. With the possibility of overtime games and high stakes on every possession, the 2024 postseason promises to be as thrilling as ever. As we approach Super Bowl LIX, the quest for football immortality continues, with every game offering a chance for teams to make their mark in history.