How many games does a team have to win for playoffs?

Answer 1

Including the Super Bowl, teams that enter the playoffs with a bye in the first round play 18 games (16 regular and 2 in the playoffs). For all other playoff teams, the answer is 19. In 1972, the Miami Dolphins won all of their games; 14 regular season and 3 in the playoffs becoming the only undefeated team since the post AFL-NFL merger.

Answer 2

Anywhere from 0 to 16.

The playoff spots are given to four division champions and two wild cards.

It is possible for all teams in a division to finish the season with zero wins. Then the team in that division that wins the series of tie-breakers would be eligible for the playoffs.

Conversely, it is also possible for two second place teams to finish with 15-1 records, of which both would qualify for the wild card.

Any team with a 16-0 record would automatically win the division, thus qualifying for the playoffs.

But the minimum number of wins required to qualify for the playoffs depends on either having enough wins to win the division or to win a wild card berth by having a better record than all but one other non division winner.

[Just a note, divisional teams must play each team in their division twice a season at least, so you'd never be able to have all four teams with zero wins. The best low-end tie scenario would come from each notching two wins over their divisional rivals.]

[Yes, zero wins for all four teams is possible, just extremely unlikely. If in every divisional matchup the teams tie, then all teams have zero wins. Since ties technically count as half a win and half a loss, the result could be treated as if each team went 3-3 in the division. I phrased the answer that way because the question is how many wins are needed for a playoff spot. But eliminating ties from the equation, the answer is between 3 and 16.]

Answer 3

You might if you get 6 but for sure you will with 7

Answer 4

It depends on the regular-season records of numerous NFC and AFC teams, as well as the postseason seeding of playoff teams.

Answer 5

20