A guide to the NFL: Scoring, rules, season structure and more

Everything you need to know about the NFL and how it works ahead of the upcoming season.

NFL Scoring System

How do teams score points in American Football?

The primary objective of an NFL game is straightforward - score more points than the opposing team.

Teams can score in several ways, including:

Touchdown (TD) - 6 points

A touchdown is worth six points and is scored when a team crosses the opposition's goal line into the end zone, either via a pass or a run. This is the primary method of scoring in American Football.

Extra Point (PAT) - 1 point

Following a touchdown, the scoring team has the opportunity to score an extra point with a field-goal attempt. In this situation, the kicker of the scoring team will attempt to kick the ball through the uprights of the goalpost from the two-yard line.

Two-point Conversion - 2 points

Instead of attempting an extra point, the scoring team may opt to go for a two-point conversion. This involves running a play from the opponent's two-yard line with the objective of crossing the goal line or catching a pass in the end zone; identically to how a touchdown would be scored.

Field Goal (FG) - 3 points

A field goal is another way to score points in American Football. Identical to an extra point attempt, a field goal can be attempted from anywhere on the field, whereby the kicker will try to strike the ball through the uprights from a specific yard line. A team will typically opt to attempt a field goal following an unsuccessful drive towards the end zone, usually on their fourth ,and final, down.

Safety - 2 points

Teams can also secure points via a safety, which occurs when a member of the defensive unit tackles an offensive player in their own end zone. These are typically uncommon, but anything can happen in the NFL, so watch out for them!

NFL Game Structure, Teams & Rules

How long is an NFL game?

An NFL game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes, with a half-time break after the second quarter. Typically, with stoppages between plays, time outs and penalty decisions, NFL games take around three hours to complete. Matches that are level at the end of the fourth quarter will move into overtime.

How does overtime in the NFL work?

During the regular season, if the scores are level at the end of the ten minute overtime period, the game ends in a tie. However, the overtime rule differs in post-season games, where multiple periods of overtime are played until a winner is determined. The big difference between regular season and post-season overtime is that during regular season if the team in possession first scores a touchdown they will win the game, whereas in the post-season both teams are afforded the opportunity to take possession, irrespective of whether the first team scores a touchdown or not.

How many players are in an NFL team?

NFL teams can carry as many as 90 players during training camp, however, a typical NFL roster consists of 53 players during the regular season, with an additional 16 on the practice squad. Each 53-man roster is then broken into three smaller units - offense, defense, and special teams - each of whom serve a specific purpose during an NFL game.

NFL Offensive Team (Offense)

Eleven players make up the offensive team, with the sole purpose of the team being to advance the ball towards the opposition's end zone. Five players (linemen) will attempt to block opponents and protect the quarterback (QB), whose primary job is to distribute the ball to a wide receiver (WR), running back (RB) or tight end (TE).

NFL Defensive Team (Defense)

Like the offensive team, the defense also consists of 11 players. Their role is to prevent the opposing offense from scoring and wrestle back possession of the ball. Overturning possession can be done by preventing the offense from achieving a first down, forcing and recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass. Typically, the defense consists of the defensive line (DL), linebackers (LB) and defensive backs (DBs).

NFL Special Teams

Special teams play a vital role in games, with the unit taking to the field during kicking plays. Players from both the offense and defence feature in the special teams, however, there are a number of specialist roles, including:

• Kicker
• Kick-off specialist
• Punter

What does 'Play Clock' and 'Snap' mean in NFL?

A play clock, set to 25 or 40 seconds, dictates the time an offense has to start their next play after the previous one ends. Each play begins when the ball is snapped, which is typically accomplished by the centre, who will pass the ball to the quarterback.

What is the 'Downs' system in the NFL?

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Down

The aim of American Football is to progress the ball down the field through a series of plays. The offense will be given four attempts, or "downs," to gain at least ten yards, and if they succeed in doing that then they will receive a new set of downs. If they are unable to progress the ball at least ten yards then the opposing team will gain possession of the ball. This system crucially affects strategy, as teams have to weigh-up whether to attempt a risky play to gain more yards or opt for a more cautious approach in a bid to maintain possession.

Penalties and fouls in the NFL

NFL games are punctuated by penalties, which are enforced for various infractions that can disrupt the flow of play.

Common penalties include:

Offside

An offside penalty will be called when a player crosses the line of scrimmage before the play begins.

Holding

A penalty for holding will be called when a player illegally grabs an opponent or uses their hands to impede their movement.

Pass Interference

A penalty will be awarded for pass interference when a defensive player makes illegal contact with a receiver before the ball arrives.

NFL Season Structure

What are the NFL divisions and how many are there?

The NFL consists of 32 different clubs, divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC). Each conference is divided into four divisions, each of which features four teams.

We run through all eight divisions and highlight the clubs competing in each:

NFC Divisions

Who is in the NFC North?

• Chicago Bears
• Minnesota Vikings
• Green Bay Packers
• Detroit Lions

Who is in the NFC East?

• Philadelphia Eagles
• New York Giants
• Dallas Cowboys
• Washington Commanders

Who is in the NFC South?

• New Orleans Saints
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers

Who is in the NFC West?

• Los Angeles Rams
• San Francisco 49ers
• Seattle Seahawks
• Arizona Cardinals

AFC Divisions

Who is in the AFC North?

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Cleveland Browns

Who is in the AFC East?

• Miami Dolphins
• New York Jets
• Buffalo Bills
• New England Patriots

Who is in the AFC South?

• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tennessee Titans
• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts

Who is in the AFC West?

• Denver Broncos
• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Kansas City Chiefs

How many games are played in an NFL season?

The regular NFL season consists of 272 games, with each of the NFL's 32 teams playing 17 games during an 18-week period, with one 'bye' week off.

Teams will play each of their divisional rivals at home and away, whilst the remaining 11 matchups will be determined by the division ranking from the previous season.

Ten of the 11 games will be against conference rivals with the 17th game being against a non-conference opponent from a division that the team is not scheduled to play.

Which NFL games are in the UK in 2024?

There will be five international games across three countries during the season, including three in London:

• 6th September - Green Bay Packers v Philadelphia Eagles (Sao Paulo)
• 6th October - New York Jets v Minnesota Vikings (Tottenham, London)
• 13th October - Jacksonville Jaguars v Chicago Bears (Tottenham, London)
• 20th October - New England Patriots v Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley, London)
• 10th November - New York Giants v Carolina Panthers (Munich)

NFL Schedule: 2024/25 Key Dates & Fixtures

NFL Playoffs Format

How many teams qualify for the NFL playoffs?

Fourteen teams currently qualify for the post-season playoffs, seven from the AFC and the same number from the NFC.

The four divisional winners from each conference will qualify, as will three wildcards from both the AFC and NFC (the three teams boasting the best overall record of the teams not to have won their respective divisions).

How does the NFL playoffs work?

The NFL playoffs is a single-elimination tournament to determine the NFL champion and features three rounds of playoff games to determine who will compete in the prestigious NFL Championship game.

The playoff rounds are as follows:

• Super Wildcard Weekend (six games)
• The Divisional Round (four games)
• Conference Championships (two games)
• NFL Championship Game

Under the current system, 12 of the 14 teams must play in all three rounds, with only the number one seeds in the NFC and AFC - the two teams who boast the best overall records - receiving a bye into the second round.

In addition to having the bye week, the two top seeds - one from each conference - will always play their playoff matches on home soil, whilst they will also take on the lowest remaining seed in each of their respective playoff matches.

The two teams who come through their side of the playoff bracket will be crowned AFC and NFC champions, and subsequently meet in the showpiece NFL Championship Game.