NFL schedule rules state there must be six games within the division and one game with a non-conference team set by last year’s rankings.
The schedule rules help create each year’s schedule based on the following format:
- Six games within the division – each opponent gets a home and away fixture
- Four contests with another division from the conference – two home and two away
- Four ties with another division from the opposing conference – two at home and two on the road
- Two matches with the other two divisions from the conference with similar league standing from the year earlier
- One game with a non-conference team which the team is not scheduled to play – the previous year’s ranking determines the adversary
All the schedules come from NFL schedule makers. They make mock schedules and draft hundreds of them before reaching one conclusion.
They have to ensure that every year’s divisional rotation sees a team face all 31 teams at least once in the four years.
The 18-week schedule for each franchise also consists of a bye week where they can re-group and be away for a week of playtime.
How Are NFL Scheduling Determined?
NFL schedules are determined by rotational scheduling based on previous years’ records. Teams get to host ten games in a calendar year.
Each team is awarded nine regular and one preseason match at the home stadium. The next year, they will organize eight regular and two preseason contests.
AFC will organize nine regular season ties for the 2023 campaign. It means NFC will have the opportunity the following year.
How NFL Schedules Work?
NFL schedules work by circulating the intradivisional, interdivisional, and the 17th game conference annually. It involves twelve games within the conference.
The 17-match schedule for each team follows a home and away contest with the three other teams from their conference. They play four games with another division from their conference. The division changes every year.
The remaining five fixtures are contested with teams from the opposite conference. Two contests are scheduled with the teams with similar rankings from the last campaign within their conference.
They play another division from the other conference. It is rotated every year.
The 17th rival is from another conference with a similar division standing. It is based on last years league standings.
All the opponents, except the same division, are supposed to rotate yearly.
NFL Schedule Rotation
NFL division schedule rotation 2023 follows the 2002 scheduling formula, ensuring that each franchise faces the other on a rotational basis to maintain fairness.
Per the 2023 schedule, Buffalo Bills belong to AFC East and are set to face AFC West and NFC East teams. They will face Tampa Bay Buccaneers from NFC South as the 17th opponent.
Other teams from AFC East are lined up to contest the remaining ones from the NFC South.
Because of the schedule rotation, AFC East teams will face AFC South and NFC West as intraconference and interconference opponents. Their 17th adversary will be from NFC North.
Likewise, the opponents for each conference in 2023 are listed below:
AFC North
- Intraconference: AFC South
- Interconference: NFC West
- 17th game: NFC North
AFC South
- Intraconference: AFC North
- Interconference: NFC South
- 17th game: NFC West
AFC West
- Intraconference: AFC North
- Interconference: NFC South
- 17th game: NFC West
NFC East
- Intraconference: NFC East
- Interconference: AFC East
- 17th game: AFC West
NFC North
- Intraconference: NFC South
- Interconference: AFC West
- 17th game: AFC North
NFC South
- Intraconference: NFC North
- Interconference: AFC South
- 17th game: AFC East
NFC West
- Intraconference: NFC East
- Interconference: AFC North
- 17th game: AFC South
Can You Bet On Preseason NFL?
Yes, you can bet on NFL preseason games. The Cleveland Browns were 2.5 favorites opposite New York Jets in the Hall of Fame Game.
The fixture saw an exhilarating comeback from the Browns, who were down by 16-7 in the first half. They scored seven each in the 3rd and the 4th quarter to defeat the Jets by a 21-16 margin.
The match was booked at 31.5 points for over/under. The money line estimation was -135 for the Browns and +115 for the Jets.
Despite the defeat, QB Zach Wilson, RB Israel Abanikanda, and WR Malik Taylor were impressive for New York. QB Kellen Mond, RB Demetric Felton, and WR Austin Watkins shone for Cleveland.
While putting your money and wager in the preseason fixtures is possible, many may differ from putting a stake on non-starters. The star players and starters are rarely seen in these matches as they are sustained for the regular campaign.
On the other hand, the sports enthusiast with a keen eye for betting makes the wager no matter the situation.
Betting odds for the week 1 preseason contest per FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Houston Texans (+1) vs. New England Patriots (-1)
- Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks (-2.5)
- Green Bay Packers (-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (+3)
- Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) vs. Miami Dolphins (+2.5)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1.5)
- New York Giants (-2.5) vs. Detroit Lions (+2.5)
- Washington Commanders (+1) vs. Cleveland Browns (-1)
- Denver Broncos (-5.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (+5.5)
- Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) vs. Buffalo Bills (+2.5)
- Tennessee Titans (+3) vs. Chicago Bears (-3)
- New York Jets (+1.5) vs. Carolina Panthers (-1.5)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (+2.5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (+4.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens (-4.5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (+2.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams (-2.5)
- Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5) vs. New Orleans Saints (-1.5)
- San Francisco 49ers (-4) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (+4)
How Is NFL Playoff Seeding Determined?
The NFL playoff seeding is determined by placing the division winners from #1 to #4 based on their win percentages.
The postseason seeding commenced in 1975 and has been in practice since.
The best team from AFC and NFC are given the No. 1 seed. They get a first-round bye in the postseason and have to compete in one fewer game.
They also have the advantage of facing the weakest serving team from the first round of postseason matches.
In the 2022 campaign, Philadelphia Eagles from the NFC East and Kansas City Chiefs from the AFC West had a win-loss record of 14-3. They were the best in their respective conference and earned the #1 seed.
They played each other at the Super Bowl LVII. The No. 1 seeds from AFC and NFC have met for the Vince Lombardi Trophy 13 times, the first being in 1977.
The other three top seeds are also decided by their overall win-loss record.
The Strength of Schedule Tiebreaker is used if any two teams’ record clashes.
With the four divisional leaders, three other teams with the best win record advance to the postseason and a shot to the Super Bowl. They are numbered #5 to #7 seeds.
In total, seven teams from each conference head to the playoff games.
How Is Wildcard Determined In NFL?
Wildcard in NFL is determined by giving the three teams with the best win percentage a playoff berth besides the four division champions.
They are called the Wild Cards and are numbered #1 to #3. They will face the #2 to #4 seeds in the Wild Card Playoffs.
The #2 seed face #3 Wild Card, #3 face #2, and #4 face #1.
They head into the postseason with a massive disadvantage of the home crowd. They must travel to the higher-ranking seed’s home stadium for their match.
The rule to allow three Wild Card teams was implemented in 2020. Before that, from 1990 to 2019, two teams secured the Wild Card spot.
There has been two No. 5 and two No. 6 seed that has lifted the Super Bowl.
The 2007 New York Giants and 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the mega event as the #1 Wild Card, i.e., #5 seed. Likewise, the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers and 2010 Green Bay Packers won the title, being the last-seed teams.
NFL Offsetting Penalties Rule
NFL offsetting penalties rule is enforced when both teams on the field commit fouls of equal proportions. It is slightly different from a double foul.
When the offense and defense are charged with a foul on the same play, it is called a double foul. The magnitude of fouls can be the same or different. It can take place after or prior to the snap.
It majorly relies on the 15-versus-5 rules. If one team is charged with a 15-yard penalty and the other is called for a 5-yard penalty on the same play, the first with a larger amplitude is enforced.
Suppose a defensive pass interference and an offensive illegal contact is called on the field. Defensive pass interference is dealt with an automatic first down, and the offensive illegal contact accounts 5-yard penalty. In this case, the defensive pass interference stays on the field.
Offsetting Penalties Counterbalances The Fouls
Meanwhile, offsetting penalties is a version of a double foul with the same intensity of penalties applied to both sides. The penalties cancel each other, and the down continues from the last spot.
There are two infractions: minor (5-yard penalty) and major (10 or 15-yard penalty). The major won’t offset a minor infraction. As mentioned earlier, it is a double foul in the same down, and the major infraction is implemented.
Therefore, the nature of fouls to cancel each other must have equal consequences. The counterbalance of fouls concurs when two double fouls with the same value occur in the same play.
For example, if the offense and defense are charged with a holding penalty simultaneously, no penalty is enforced on either team.
Other situations when the offsetting penalties rules are applicable are as follows:
- Dead ball fouls by both teams
- Double foul when the possession does not change hands
- Pass interference by both sides
- False start and encroachment at the same time