More NFL News
Joe Buck Criticizes NFL Officials for Decision Against Matthew Stafford’s Offense Leading to Falcons Win
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams overcame a three-touchdown deficit but failed to win the game due to a poor decision from the refs.
Maxx Crosby Urged to Leave Raiders, Join $8B Team Desperate for Pass Rusher
Maxx Crosby faces calls to leave the Raiders as trade buzz links the star pass rusher to an $8B franchise in need of defense.
NFL Week 18 Power Rankings: 49ers & Ravens Rise, Bills & Buccaneers Fall
Read the power ranking of all 32 NFL teams after Week 17 on EssentiallySports. Find out which team tops the chart this time.
NFL Network’s Kurt Warner Delivers Verdict on Josh Allen’s Super Bowl Hopes With Bills After Costly Mistake vs Eagles
NFL Network's Kurt Warner makes a statement on Josh Allen and the Bills' Super Bowl hopes after the loss to the Eagles.
2026 NFL Mock Draft Post Week 17: Raiders Land Fernando Mendoza, Jets Select Rueben Bain
Here's how I see the top 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft shaking out post Week 17.
NFL Legend Pinpoints What Sets 49ers’ Brock Purdy Apart From Other NFL QBs
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De’Von Achane Throws Shade at Tua Tagovailoa With Strong Quinn Ewers Statement
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Todd Bowles Confirms Stance on Firing Bucs’ Coach Amid Ongoing Issues
Todd Bowles stays firm on keeping the Bucs' team coach despite ongoing issues, mounting pressure, and frustration in Cigar City.
Rob Gronkowski Urges Travis Kelce to Ditch Chiefs & Shares Retirement Advice
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Drake Maye, Derrick Henry and Jer’Zhan Newton Lead Top Performers From NFL Week 17
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Troy Aikman Hints at Former Cowboys Coach Almost Ruining His and Michael Irvin’s Career
Dallas Cowboys veteran Troy Aikman reveals the positive and negative impact of coaching on his and receiver Michael Irvin's careers.
Matthew Stafford Breaks Silence on Offense’s Failures After Tying Unfortunate Brett Favre Record
Matthew Stafford opens up on the Rams' offensive collapse, after a historic interception mark tied to Brett Favre.
About NFL
NFL
History
In August 1920, representatives from four states: Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Dayton, held a meeting and formed the American Professional Football Conference (APFC) to improve footballing standards in the country. A month later, they formed the American Professional Football Association (APFA) and played a league with 14 teams. In 1922, they changed the name to the National Football League (NFL).
In 1960, a new professional league, the American Football League (AFL) started as a competition against the NFL. After six years, in 1966, the two leagues announced a merger that would take effect in 1970. During the four years between the announcement and the actual merger, the leagues started playing a Championship game which was called The Super Bowl. Since then, the two leagues have been recognized as two separate conferences within the same league, the NFL.
Participating teams
There are 32 teams in the NFL divided equally into two conferences: National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Each conference is further divided into 4 divisions: East, North, South, and West, with each division containing four teams.
American Football Conference (AFC)
East
NorthSouthWestNational Football Conference (NFC)NorthSouthWest