• History

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

  During the March 2009 league meetings, Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke of extending the NFL season to 17 or 18 weeks, possibly starting in the 2011 season.CBSSports.com: Expect Regular Season to Get Longer, Just Not This Year The NFL also announced that they would not change overtime rules. Critics have stated that overtime rules are unfair because it doesn't allow both teams to have an offensive possession.ESPN.com: NFL overtime rules won't change (March 18, 2009)

• 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: Pittsburgh Steelers
  7. TV partners: CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network
  8. Super Bowl XLIII: February 1, 2009

• NFL History

  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.

• Mainstream Coverage

  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.

• NFL Basics

  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.

• Divisions and Teams

• AFC North

  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Pittsburgh Steelers

• NFC North

  • Chicago Bears
  • Detroit Lions
  • Green Bay Packers
  • Minnesota Vikings

• AFC South

  • Houston Texans
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Tennessee Titans

• NFC South

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Carolina Panthers
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• AFC East

  • Buffalo Bills
  • Miami Dolphins
  • New England Patriots
  • New York Jets

• NFC East

  • Dallas Cowboys
  • New York Giants
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Washington Redskins

• AFC West

  • Denver Broncos
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Oakland Raiders
  • San Diego Chargers

• NFC West

  • Arizona Cardinals
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Seattle Seahawks
  • St. Louis Rams

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