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$2.13T Streaming Giant’s Super Bowl Plans Pile More Misery on NFL Amid Antitrust Exemption Controversy

13 hrs ago
NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams

U.S. Government Launches Investigation Into NFL’s Quest For Projected $15.9 Billion Revenue

15 hrs ago
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Super Bowl LVII-Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, AZ,

Former Seahawks Star Rickey Thenarse Shot in Los Angeles Following Alleged Dispute With Girlfriend

15 hrs ago
Rickey Thenarse

NFL Insider Hints At Top Prospect Falling to Bengals As Zac Taylor Predicted to Focus on Defense

16 hrs ago
NFL: DEC 21 Bengals at Dolphins

NFL Fixes Launch Date for Full Season Schedule, as Per Reports

18 hrs ago
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Ranking the Best First-Round Draft Prospects for the Dallas Cowboys

Here are my top-five prospects the Dallas Cowboys should target at picks No. 12 and No. 20 in this year's NFL Draft.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Cowboys Target Trevon Diggs Replacement as DC Christian Parker Meets With Top 2026 Prospect

Dallas Cowboys target a potential Trevon Diggs replacement as Christian Parker meets a top 2026 draft prospect. Find out who that is.
Trevon Diggs

Ranking the Best First-Round Draft Prospects for the Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL writer Daniel Rios ranks the best draft prospects the Steelers could target in round 1 of the NFL Draft.
TJ Watt

Travis Kelce Apologizes for Almost Landing Jim Nantz in Trouble With CBS During Viral AFC Championship Moment

Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce apologizes for a viral Super Bowl moment that nearly got Jim Nantz in trouble with CBS.
Travis Kelce

Giants QB Russell Wilson Makes Personal Announcement for Miami & New Orleans

New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson announces significant personal news involving cities of Miami and New Orleans.
NFL: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Steelers Legend Issues Warning Against Drafting QB Despite Aaron Rodgers’ Uncertain Status

Steelers legend issues stern warning regarding drafting a quarterback despite Pittsburgh facing uncertainty about Aaron Rodgers.
USA, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Houston Texans, NFL Playoffs, Wild Card Round, 2025/2026 Season, 12.01.2026

Cowboys Legend Emmitt Smith Immediately Throws ‘Sorry’ Defense Under the Bus While Defending Dak Prescott

Emmitt Smith defends Dak Prescott, blaming the Cowboys' poor 2025 season on a weak defense rather than the star quarterback's performance.
NFL: NOV 27 Chiefs at Cowboys

“I Was Lowkey Pissed Off”: Ex-Chiefs Star Calls Out Harsh Treatment Before Forced Trade to Rams

Former Kansas City Chiefs star opens up about harsh treatment before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams after three seasons.
Kansas City Chiefs logo

Adam Schefter Reveals How 49ers Almost Passed on George Kittle, But Draft-Day Twist Changed Everything

The 49ers might repeat their draft luck of George Kittle in 2026, while targeting Kadyn Proctor to secure a Super Bowl.
NFL: NFC Championship-Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

Cowboys Legend Michael Irvin Names Miami QB as Ideal Heir Apparent to Dak Prescott

Michael Irvin backs Miami QB as a future Cowboys option, calling him a strong fit to support and learn behind Dak Prescott.
NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl-Miami vs Mississippi

Browns HC Todd Monken Blames NFL Amid Criticism Over Missing Coaches’ Photo at Annual Meeting

Browns HC Todd Monken points finger at the NFL amid criticism for missing the annual coaches’ photo, as backlash continues to grow.
Todd Monken

Jason Kelce Vehemently Defends Jalen Hurts Amid Criticism Over Eagles Offense

NFL legend Jason Kelce sends a warning to Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles offense, ahead of the upcoming season.
NFL: Pro Bowl Championship-AFC at NFC

Todd Monken Addresses Myles Garrett’s Noticeable Absence, Gives Update on Browns’ QB Room

Browns HC Todd Monken isn't worried about Myles Garrett, but can he say the same thing about his quarterback room?
Todd Monken

“I Prayed First”: Fired Bengals Coach Makes Honest Admission on Facing Lamar Jackson

Fired Bengals coach admits he “prayed first” before facing Lamar Jackson, offering a candid view on the challenge of stopping the star QB.
NFL 2026: Steelers Vs Ravens JAN 04

Robert Griffin III Announces Ambitious Goal for Olympics After Joining Team USA’s Roster

Robert Griffin III eyes 2028 Olympic gold with Team USA after joining roster, setting ambitious goal in flag football journey.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2024: Cowboys vs Commanders NOV 24 November 24th 2024: Washington Commanders former p

“They Want Me Fired”: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Unleashes Rant Against Enemies Conspiring Against Him

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith rants about enemies plotting to fire him from ESPN. He warns backlash would be massive.
June 22 2019 Wilmington Delaware United States of America STEPHEN A SMITH of ESPNs First Tak

Chiefs Super Bowl Champ Joins NFC Rival After Being Cut by Andy Reid & Front Office

After the Kansas City Chiefs parted ways with their Super Bowl champion, an NFC South franchise has signed the veteran star.
NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

FOX Sports Shuts Down Major Service Amid Growing Pressure Over NFL’s Broadcast Antitrust Exemption

Fox is retiring its sports app for FOX One, as the NFL faces legal heat over moving games to paid streaming.
NFL: NOV 16 Panthers at Falcons

Chiefs Heiress Gracie Hunt Reveals Why She Waited 8 Years to Date Derek Green After Dream Engagement

Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt recently revealed why she waited 8 years before starting to date Derek Green following their grand engagement
Gracie Hunt/instagram

Clark Hunt’s Wife Sends Emotional Message as Chiefs Part Ways With 7 Cheerleaders

Clark Hunt's wife and the Chiefs Kingdom honors seven retiring cheerleaders as the 2026 auditions begin. Check what the women say.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Jul 22, 2024; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chief

Mike McCarthy Makes Move for New WR Amid Talks Around Steelers Trading DK Metcalf

Mike McCarthy makes a move for a new collegiate wide receiver, while talks about trading WR DK Metcalf grow.
NFL: NOV 09 Steelers at Chargers

Joe Burrow’s Rumored GF Olivia Ponton Causes a Stir With Her Outfit

Joe Burrow's rumored girlfriend, Olivia Ponton, fires up the internet with her latest attire after revealing it on her latest post.
Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York

Kirk Cousins Reveals Exactly How Involved Tom Brady Is, Confirms His Stance on Being Raiders’ QB1

Can Kirk Cousins become the starter under Tom Brady's guidance? If not, the Raiders have already prepared for the next chapter.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks on from the sidelines during the

Insider Reveals Why Steelers May Trade DK Metcalf Away After $59M Contract Move

According to an NFL analyst, D.K. Metcalf's future in Pittsburgh looks uncertain after the arrival of Michael Pittman Jr.
NFL: DEC 07 Steelers at Ravens

WWE Star ‘The Miz’ Recalls Being Worried About Rookie Johnny Manziel Before Cold-Blooded 30–0 Defeat From Bengals

The Miz revealed his major concerns for Johnny Manziel when the quarterback was all set for his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals.
14 December 2014 A dejected Cleveland Browns Quarterback Johnny Manziel 2 during the game between

Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft: Olaivavega Ioane Comes Off the Board First as Baltimore Continues to Add to Their Offense

See what I have the Baltimore Ravens doing with their 11draft picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, only on EssentiallySports.
Olaivavega Ioane

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