How the NFL Works: Rules, Scoring, and Season Format

The National Football League (NFL) is more than just a sport — it’s a cultural phenomenon. With millions of fans, record-breaking viewership, and a long-standing legacy, the NFL represents the pinnacle of professional American football. Whether you’re a newcomer looking to understand the basics or a casual fan wanting to dive deeper into how the NFL functions, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know; from the league’s origins to rules, teams, salaries, season format, and global reach.

What Is the NFL?

The NFL, short for National Football League, is the professional American football league in the United States. It is the highest level of the sport, featuring 32 teams split between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). These teams compete every year in a season that culminates in the iconic Super Bowl; one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.

The NFL operates under a unique structure that blends intense athletic competition with strict rules, strategic play-calling, and business acumen. For those looking to understand NFL rules for beginners, it all begins with understanding how the league is built and functions.

Brief History of the NFL

The NFL was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). In 1922, it was renamed the National Football League. At its inception, the league had just 10 teams, mostly based in small towns. Over the decades, it grew rapidly in popularity and professionalism, especially after merging with its rival league, the American Football League (AFL), in 1970; a move that solidified the NFL’s dominance.

The first Super Bowl was played in 1967, and it helped boost the NFL’s image from a local American league to a global sporting empire. Today, the league generates over $18 billion in annual revenue and reaches fans worldwide.

How Popular Is the NFL?

The NFL is the most-watched sports league in the United States. According to Nielsen, the 2024 Super Bowl attracted over 123 million viewers, making it the most-watched telecast in U.S. history. Regular-season games consistently dominate TV ratings every Sunday, Monday, and Thursday.

In terms of fan base, the NFL boasts an estimated 410 million fans worldwide, with a growing presence in countries like Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The league continues to expand internationally through games, partnerships, and broadcasts, proving that American football has a global future.

NFL in Different Countries

While the NFL is based in the U.S., its influence spreads globally. Here’s where the NFL is expanding:

United Kingdom – London regularly hosts international NFL games at Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Germany – Frankfurt and Munich have hosted NFL matches as part of the international series.
Mexico – NFL games have been held in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
Canada – While Canada has its own CFL, NFL games are widely watched here.
Australia & Europe – NFL broadcasts, merchandise, and fan events are increasing annually.

The league is actively investing in international development, suggesting more overseas games and possibly even international teams in the future.

NFL Teams: A Complete List

There are 32 teams in the NFL, divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC), each with four divisions (North, South, East, West). Here’s a quick breakdown:

AFC East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

AFC West: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
NFC North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

NFL Player Salarie

Player salaries in the NFL vary widely depending on position, experience, and team value. Here’s a quick overview:

Minimum rookie salary (2024): $795,000/year
Average NFL salary: $2.7 million/year
Top earners: Quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow earn over $50 million/year with contract bonuses.
Practice squad players: Around $216,000/year

Contracts often include bonuses, endorsements, and incentives, meaning star players can earn much more than their base salary.

NFL Season Format Explained

The NFL season is divided into several phases:

1. Preseason (August)

Teams play three exhibition games to evaluate players and prepare.

2. Regular Season (September to January)

Each team plays 17 games over 18 weeks, including division, conference, and inter-conference matchups.
Each team gets one bye week to rest.

3. Playoffs (January)

14 teams (7 from each conference) qualify: 4 division winners and 3 wild cards.
Format: Single-elimination leading to conference championships.

4. Super Bowl (February)

The AFC and NFC champions face off for the ultimate title.

The offseason runs from February to July, with important events like NFL Combine, NFL Draft, and Training Camp.

What Are the Main NFL Rules?

The NFL rule book is vast, but here are the essential rules all beginners and fans should know:

Each team has 11 players on the field.
Games are split into four 15-minute quarters.
The goal is to score more points than the opponent.
Touchdowns = 6 points, Extra point = 1 point, Two-point conversion = 2 points, Field goal = 3 points, Safety = 2 points.
Teams get four downs (tries) to move the ball 10 yards; if successful, they get a new set of downs.
Contact beyond five yards by defenders on receivers is illegal (pass interference).
Turnovers can occur through interceptions (catching a pass meant for opponent) or fumbles (losing the ball).

These form the foundation of the game, and the NFL rule book is updated annually to ensure fairness and safety.

Biggest NFL Events

Apart from the Super Bowl, here are some other major NFL events:

NFL Draft – Held in April, where teams select new players from college football.
NFL Combine – Top college athletes are tested in front of scouts in February.
Pro Bowl – An all-star game featuring the best players, played one week before the Super Bowl.
Thanksgiving Games – A special American tradition where multiple games are played on Thanksgiving Day.
International Series – Regular-season games played in London, Munich, or Mexico.

When Is the NFL Not Played?

There are no games during the offseason (mid-February to August). However, this period includes team planning, training, free-agent signings, the NFL Draft, and rule adjustments. The NFL may be “off the field,” but it’s still very much active behind the scenes.

Final Thoughts on How the NFL Works

The NFL is much more than a sports league — it’s a global powerhouse built on history, strategy, and passion. With a complex rule set, massive fan base, highly paid athletes, and thrilling seasonal format, the NFL continues to dominate both American and international sports. Whether you’re watching your first game or considering writing about football, understanding how the NFL works — from rules and teams to salary and seasons — will give you a front-row seat to one of the most dynamic sporting shows on Earth.