Guide Note

The National Football League is comprised of 32 professional teams playing American football.

Fast Facts

1. Inaugural season: 1920
2. League Offices: New York City
3. Commissioner: Roger Goodell
4. Number of teams: 32
5. Number of games per team: 16
6. Defending Champion: New York Giants
7. 2007 NFL MVP: Tom Brady
8. TV partners: CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network
9. Super Bowl XLIII: February 1, 2009

Formed in 1920 with 11 teams in Canton, Ohio, the National Football League has grown to the largest professional football league in the world. In 1960, the American Football League was started as an alternative to the NFL. The two leagues were rivals until June 8, 1966, when they merged.

Shortly after the merger, the first Super Bowl was played, in 1967, as the championship game. The Super Bowl has since become the most watched television program of the year, complete with elaborate parties to celebrate this 'holiday' and popular musical acts performing during the half time show.

The NFL introduced Monday Night Football on ABC in 1970, which became a staple of households across the U.S.

Each of the 32 NFL teams plays 16 regular season games each season. Games are played on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays and are broadcast by various television networks. Each game consists of four 15 minute quarters, and additional time following, if the two teams are tied following regulation time.

At the end of the regular season, the top teams in each of the eight divisions, plus four wild card teams play in a single elimination bracket style playoff. The winning teams from each conference then play in the Super Bowl to decide the championship.