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Week 13 MVP Ladder: Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye Separate From Field as Dak Prescott Re-enters the Debate

With the Thanksgiving week inching closer, the MVP race looks solid, check out the Essentially Sports Week 13 MVP Ladder to find out how.
Drake Maye, Matthew Stafford

FOX Makes Cowboys’ 28M Viewership Announcement Amid Jerry Jones’ Thanksgiving Decision

Cowboys receives an expected viewership rate update from FOX Sports after their game against the Philadelphia Eagles
NFL: Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

Deshaun Watson Announces News for Cleveland After Breaking Character for Shedeur Sanders

Deshaun Watson and his wife Jilly Anais give back, while his massive Browns contract locks him in for a new mentorship role.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Giants at Cleveland Browns Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Bro

“Life’s Not Waiting For You”: George Kittle Sends Cryptic Message Amid Brandon Aiyuk & 49ers Standoff

What did star tight end George Kittle say as the Brandon Aiyuk-49ers saga continues to unfold in San Francisco?
NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals

Shedeur Sanders’ Browns Tenure Predicted to Meet Unfortunate Fate Ahead of Week 13 Start vs. 49ers

Cleveland Browns' hunt for a backup QB continues to grow while Shedeur Sanders' future in the team appeares blurred.
NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns

Aaron Rodgers’ Possible Next NFL Team Could be Bad News For Packers Despite Steelers QB Confirming Retirement Plans

Steelers' playoff hopes fade at 6-5. Could an injured Aaron Rodgers join the Vikings next? Or does he still plan to retire as a Packer?
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers

Patrick Mahomes Announces Injury Crisis in Chiefs Locker Room as Andy Reid Shares Unfortunate News

Kansas City star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has announced that injury clouds loom over key players in the locker room.
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs

Cowboys Stats Prove Whether Jerry Jones’ Decision to Trade For Quinnen Williams Is Paying Off or Not

Jerry Jones' decision paid off, as the Dallas Cowboys' defence showed drastic improvement after the bye week.
NFL 2024: Cowboys at Panthers Dec 15

Outcast Russell Wilson Makes Financial Request to 5.5 Million Followers on Career Move Away From Giants

Russell Wilson draws fresh attention with his latest off-field move as questions swirl around his role in the New York Giants.
NFL: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

NFL Analyst Clearly Explains Why Mike Tomlin Lost to Bears After Steelers LB Blamed HC

NFL analyst reveals reason behind the Steelers' loss to the Bears in Week 13 after Steelers' player expressed issue with the defense
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets

2026 Mock Draft After NFL Week 12: Jets Trade Up for Fernando Mendoza, Cardinals Grab Caleb Downs

Mocking the first 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft after Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on EssentiallySports.
NCAA Football: Michigan State at Indiana

Congratulations Pour In for Travis Hunter’s Wife, Leanna, After Personal Announcement

How have fans reacted to Travis Hunter's Wife Leanna's special announcement about a personal milestone on social media?
Travis Hunter and Leanna Lenee, source, IG

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