How do they pick the teams you play other then in your division in the NFL?

Answer 1

An NFL team, as in almost every other organized sport chooses the "starting" players based on talent, and ability shown through practice or other evaluation. Sometimes if a player has violated certain rules and regulations set by the coach, organization, or NFL the player will not be allowed to play in the game. Also, even tho certain members of the team may not be listed as starting, they could gain the opportunity to play later in the game as substitutes, as for an injured player, or for use in a specific situation that would require the skills of such player.

Answer 2

Using the 2010 New York Giants schedule as an example ...

1) Since there are 4 teams in each division, there will 6 division games played. This leaves 10 games to schedule.

* - So the Giants will play two games each against the Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins, the other three teams in the NFC East.

2) 4 of those games are played against each team of another division within the conference. For example, the teams in the NFC East will alternate playing the teams in the NFC South, NFC North, and NFC West every three years. This leaves 6 games left to schedule.

* - 2010 is the season the Giants are scheduled play the teams in the NFC North division as the Giants last played all the teams in the NFC North in the 2007 season. The Giants will play the Vikings, Bears, Lions, and Packers. If the NFL doesn't change the way they schedule games, the Giants will play all of the teams in the NFC North again in 2013.

3) 4 of those games are played against each team in a division of the other conference. For example, the teams in the NFC East will alternate playing the teams in the AFC East, AFC South, AFC North, and AFC West every four years. This leaves 2 games left to schedule.

* - 2010 is the season the Giants are scheduled to play the AFC South as the Giants last played all the teams in the AFC South in the 2006 season. The Giants will play the Colts, Jaguars, Titans, and Texans. If the NFL doesn't change the way they schedule games, the Giants will play all of the teams in the AFC South again in 2014.

4) These 2 games are played against the other two teams in other divisions within the conference that finished in the same place, within the division, that the team finished. For example, the 2nd place team in the NFC East will play the 2nd place teams in the two divisions within the conference that they are not playing the entire division. If the NFC East is scheduled to play the NFC West in a season, these two games are scheduled against the same place teams in the NFC North and NFC South.

* - Since the Giants finished in 3rd place in the NFC East in 2009 and they are scheduled to play the teams in the NFC North in 2010, they will play the 3rd place teams in the NFC South (Panthers) and NFC West (Seahawks).

The way the NFL schedules games, 14 of the 16 regular season games are always known in advance. In 2011, the Giants will play 2 games against each team in the NFC East, 1 game against the each team in the NFC South since they last played that division in 2008, and 1 game against each team in the AFC East since they last played that division in 2007. The only two games that are unknown are the two games they play against the teams that finished in the same place within their division in the NFC North and NFC West.