- What Exactly Is the NFL?
- How Do NFL Games Actually Work?
- What Are the Key Dates for the 2025–2026 NFL Schedule?
- Where Can I Find the NFL Schedule and Today's Games?
- How Do I Check NFL Scores and Live Updates?
- How Does the NFL Standings System Work?
- When Is the NFL Draft Held?
- What New Rules Apply in the 2025 Season?
- Frequently Asked Questions About NFL Games
- Ready to Experience the 2025–2026 NFL Season?
A Beginner's Guide to the NFL (2025–2026)
- What Exactly Is the NFL?
- How Do NFL Games Actually Work?
- What Are the Key Dates for the 2025–2026 NFL Schedule?
- Where Can I Find the NFL Schedule and Today's Games?
- How Do I Check NFL Scores and Live Updates?
- How Does the NFL Standings System Work?
- When Is the NFL Draft Held?
- What New Rules Apply in the 2025 Season?
- Frequently Asked Questions About NFL Games
- Ready to Experience the 2025–2026 NFL Season?
If you're just getting into American football, the NFL might seem overwhelming at first. Between checking NFL scores, figuring out the NFL schedule, understanding NFL standings, and wondering when the NFL draft happens, there's a lot to take in. But don't worry—this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2025–2026 season in plain English. Whether you want to catch NFL games today or learn how the whole league works, we've got you covered.
What Exactly Is the NFL?
The NFL is no ordinary sports league—it's a massive entertainment juggernaut that gets underway sometime around early September and runs until early February each year. Essentially, it consists of 32 professional teams teaming up within two major sections.
How 32 Teams Are Organized
The league consists of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) teams. There are 16 teams within each conference, and the teams are aligned within four four-team divisions. This setup inevitably fosters rivalry and enhances the season.
AFC vs. NFC: The Two Main Conferences
Imagine the AFC and NFC as two separate tournaments that ultimately meet in the Super Bowl. They only play the other conference team a few times within the regular season, making those games quite special. This conference system dates back to the merger in 1970, when the NFL merged with the old American Football League.
Four Divisions in Each Conference
Here's how the divisions shake out:
AFC Divisions
- AFC East: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills
- AFC North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC South: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
- AFC West: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, LA Chargers
NFC Divisions
- NFC East: Dallas Cowboys, Nueva York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
- NFC North: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings
- NFC South: Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- NFC West: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Full Divisional Roster by Team
The section above displays the complete set of 32 teams, organized by division. Divisions will generally conclude with the division winner advancing to the playoffs (one team) and the league scattering some extra "wild card" spots among teams that have good records but lost the division.
How Do NFL Games Actually Work?
Football games adhere to an intuitive set of parameters once you watch a few matches. It's pretty simple on the surface: get the football down about a 100-yard field and score points.
The Field and Fundamental Rules
The field is 120 yards long (two 10-yard end zones included) and 53.3 yards wide. Each team attempts to get the ball down the field to the opposing team's end zone. Games are divided into four parts, each lasting 15 minutes, but the game time is significantly longer due to stoppages.
Scoring Methods: Touchdowns, Field Goals, and Safety
Teams can score in several ways:
- Touchdown (6 pts.): Getting the football to the other team's end zone
- Extra Point (1 punto): Kicking desde detrás de los goalposts desde touchdown
- Two-Point Conversion (2 points): Running or passing the football into the end zone on a touchdown
- Field Goal (3 points): Kicking the football merely through the goalposts.
- Safety (2 points): Bringing an opposing player who has the football to the other team's end.
Four Downs and Moving the Ball
Therefore, they get four chances, or "downs," to advance the ball 10 yards. They get to start a new set of four downs if they do. Otherwise, the other team gets the football. That is, they are always making strategic choices between running, passing, and kicking.
How Overtime Rules Work
If the game is tied after 60 minutes, the teams engage in a regular-season 10-minute overtime period. Beginning in the 2025 season, the teams will be guaranteed at least one possession each in regular-season overtime (the same as in the playoffs); regular-season overtime still lasts 10 minutes and can still end tied. Playoff games go to completion until one team wins and continue with additional 15-minute periods if necessary.
Key Terms Every Fan Should Know
- Snap: That is where the center waits to hand the ball to the quarterback to get the game underway.
- Sack: When the quarterback is tackled by defenders behind the line of scrimmage
- Interception: If the defensive team intercepts a pass that the offense is throwing
- Fumble: When the player loses complete control of the football.
- Red Zone: That region within the other team's line
What Are the Key Dates for the 2025–2026 NFL Schedule?
The NFL schedule is consistent year after year, and once you get the overall pattern down, you can plan what and when you will be watching.
Season Kickoff and Week 1 Highlights
The 2025 season kicks off on Thursday, September 4, 2025, with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Week 1 continues through Monday, September 8, featuring all 32 teams in action, and includes a Friday (September 5) international game in São Paulo, Brazil: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers.
International Series: Games Played Overseas
The NFL continues expanding globally with seven international games across five countries in 2025. Three in London (two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium + one at Wembley), one at Dublin’s Croke Park, one at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, one at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, and one Friday night game in São Paulo (Chiefs vs. Chargers).
Holiday Games: Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas
Thanksgiving 2025 (Nov. 27) tripleheader: Packers @ Lions (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Chiefs @ Cowboys (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS), Bengals @ Ravens (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). Black Friday (Nov. 28): Bears @ Eagles (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video); Christmas Day (Dec. 25): Cowboys @ Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Netflix), Lions @ Vikings (4:30 p.m. ET, Netflix), Broncos @ Chiefs (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video).
Playoff Schedule: Wild Card Through Super Bowl
The 18-week regular season concludes on January 4, 2026. Wild Card weekend runs January 10–12, 2026; Divisional Round is January 17–18; Conference Championships are January 25.
Super Bowl LX: Date, Location, and Viewing
Super Bowl LX takes place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California—home of the San Francisco 49ers. The game airs on NBC/Telemundo, with streaming on Peacock.
Where Can I Find the NFL Schedule and Today's Games?
Following NFL matches is now more convenient than ever due to various platforms providing live coverage.
Official NFL Schedule Resources
You can totally count on the NFL's official website (NFL.com) and their app for the most reliable schedule info—just filter by team, week, or date to find exactly what you need.
How to Watch the NFL Game Today
For same-day information, NFL.com/scores shows all games scheduled for the current day, including start times and broadcast networks. The NFL app sends notifications before your favorite team plays, so you never miss kickoff.
Time Zone Conversions and Tips
Most Sunday games start at 1:00 PM and 4:05 or 4:25 PM Eastern Time, with Sunday Night Football at 8:20 PM ET. Monday Night Football typically kicks off at 8:15 PM ET. If you're in other time zones, subtract hours accordingly (Pacific is three hours earlier than Eastern). Long Sunday slates can drain batteries fast; an EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank keeps your phone alive through early, late, and primetime.
Flex Scheduling Explained
After Week 12, the NFL can "flex" games to the Sunday primetime evening slot if they are more competitive to start. At least 12 days' notice is given to teams on the majority of flexes, but it can be made earlier in the season. Flexes late in the season can come with limited time. Flexes can make changes to kickoffs — an EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station brings power to your tailgate party even if plans change.
How Do I Check NFL Scores and Live Updates?
Following NFL scores in real-time keeps you connected to all the action, even when you can't watch every game.
Top Platforms for Real-Time Scores
ESPN.com, NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, and CBS Sports all offer excellent live scoreboards. These sites update every few seconds during games and include play-by-play descriptions of major moments.
Using the NFL App Effectively
The official NFL app provides customizable alerts for specific teams, players, or game situations. You can choose to receive notifications for touchdowns, final scores, or major plays. The app also includes NFL RedZone highlights and condensed game replays.
Tip: If you rely on alerts all day, pair your phone with an EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank so push notifications and streaming don’t drain your battery before the late window.
Major Sports Websites for Score Updates
Beyond dedicated football sites, general sports platforms like The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and SportsCenter provide comprehensive NFL score coverage with analysis and social media reactions.
How Does the NFL Standings System Work?
Understanding NFL standings helps you follow the playoff race and know which games matter most down the stretch.
Win-Loss Records and Calculations
Standings are primarily determined by winning percentage. A team's record shows wins-losses-ties (like 10-5-0). Winning percentage equals wins divided by total games played.
Tiebreaker Rules Explained
When teams have identical records, the NFL uses a complex series of tiebreakers:
- Head-to-head record
- Division record (for division ties)
- Common games record
- Conference record
- Strength of victory
- Strength of schedule ... and several more if needed
Division Winners and Wild Card Spots
Each of the eight divisions sends its winner to the playoffs, regardless of overall record. Additionally, three wild card teams from each conference (the non-division winners with the best records) make the playoffs, creating a 14-team postseason field.
Playoff Seeding and Home-Field Advantage
The four division winners in each conference are seeded 1-4 based on record, with the top seed getting a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Wild card teams are seeded 5-7. The #1 seed only plays at home unless they lose.
Tracking NFL Standings All Season
NFL standings shift dramatically throughout the season. Most sports websites display live standings that update immediately after games end. The NFL's official standings page also shows each team's remaining schedule and division standings.
When Is the NFL Draft Held?
The NFL draft represents the league's primary method of distributing new talent and maintaining competitive balance.
2025 NFL Draft Recap
The 2025 NFL Draft took place April 24–26, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin—the smallest city ever to host the event. The Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward (Miami) with the first overall pick. At #2, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado), and at #3, the New York Giants selected Abdul Carter (LB, Penn State).
2026 NFL Draft Preview
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23–25, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking the city's first time hosting the event. The festivities will center on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, Point State Park, and Acrisure Stadium.
How Draft Order Is Determined
The draft order is primarily determined by the previous season's standings, with the worst team picking first. Playoff teams pick later, with the Super Bowl winner selecting last (32nd). Teams can trade draft picks to move up or down, creating draft-day drama.
Why the Draft Matters to Teams and Fans
The draft offers hope to struggling franchises and allows successful teams to add young, affordable talent. Rookies enter on four-year contracts with team options for a fifth year, making them valuable assets. Fans closely follow college prospects and debate which players their teams should select.
How to Follow Draft Coverage
ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC all broadcast the draft live with expert analysis. The first round occurs on Thursday evening, rounds 2-3 on Friday evening, and rounds 4-7 on Saturday afternoon. Online platforms provide real-time updates and grade each team's selections.
What New Rules Apply in the 2025 Season?
The NFL regularly updates its rules to improve player safety and game quality. Here are the key changes for 2025.
Kickoff Format Changes
The NFL adopted a new kickoff alignment that places most players closer together before the kick, similar to the XFL's format. This change aims to reduce high-speed collisions while keeping kickoff returns viable. The kicker still kicks from the 35-yard line, but coverage players line up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line (B40) and cannot move until the ball is touched.
Overtime Rule Modifications
Following criticism of playoff overtime rules, from 2025, the regular season and postseason overtime rules are unified: regardless of the first possession’s outcome, both teams get at least one possession; the regular season overtime period is 10 minutes.
Instant Replay and Challenge Updates
The league expanded reviewable plays to include whether a player was down by contact before fumbling. Coaches still get two challenges per game, plus a third if the first two succeed. All scoring plays and turnovers remain automatically reviewed.
Player Safety and Conduct Rules
The NFL strengthened penalties for hip-drop tackles, which can cause serious leg injuries. The new rule defines a hip-drop as when a defender grabs an opponent and rotates their body to land on the ball carrier's legs. First-time violations draw 15-yard penalties, with fines for repeat offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions About NFL Games
Q1. How Long Does a Typical NFL Game Last from Start to Finish?
A: Most NFL games run between three and three-and-a-half hours from kickoff to final whistle, though some games stretch longer. The game clock consists of four 15-minute quarters (60 minutes of game time), but the actual elapsed time is much longer due to timeouts, commercial breaks, halftime (about 12 minutes for regular games, 30 minutes for the Super Bowl), replay reviews, and other stoppages. Close games with lots of scoring and clock stoppages in the fourth quarter can push past four hours. The league has implemented pace-of-play initiatives to keep games moving, but broadcasts typically allocate a three-hour window for most games.
Q2. Why Does the NFL Schedule Games on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
A: Thanksgiving football dates back to 1920, when several teams scheduled games on the holiday. The Detroit Lions formalized the tradition in 1934, hosting a game every Thanksgiving since (except during World War II). The Dallas Cowboys joined in 1966, creating the annual doubleheader. A third game was added in 2006, giving fans a full day of football during the holiday when many people are home with family. Christmas games have become more common recently as the NFL expands its special event programming. When Christmas falls on a weekend, the league schedules multiple games to capture the large at-home audience. These holiday games draw massive television ratings and have become cultural traditions for millions of American families.
Q3. How Can I Keep My Devices Charged During All-Day NFL Viewing?
A: Whether you’re watching at home for 10+ hours or tailgating outside the stadium, power is part of your game plan. For phones and tablets, start with a power bank and, if you want fast top-ups all day, step up to the EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank (25,000mAh, 170W).
If you’re running a speaker, mini-fridge, projector, or TV, bring a portable power station — an EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station has ample capacity and outlets for an entire afternoon, and it recharges quickly from wall, car, or even solar between games.
Ready to Experience the 2025–2026 NFL Season?
Now that you understand how the NFL works, where to find NFL schedules and scores, how NFL standings determine playoff teams, and when the NFL draft occurs, you're ready to dive into the action. The 2025–2026 season promises incredible competition, from the September 4 kickoff through Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. Pick a team, download the NFL app, and start following along—there's never been a better time to become an NFL fan. Check today's NFL games, track your team's standing, and join millions of fans who make football America's most popular sport. The excitement starts now!
Before kickoff, set your viewing kit: team, apps, snacks — and power. For personal devices, bring an EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank; for tailgates or watch parties, an EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station keeps screens and sound rolling well past overtime.