NFL playoffs explained: How many Wild Card teams will make the postseason in the 2022 season?

With the NFL Playoffs around the corner, there are surely some questions that deserve answering. One that is frequently asked is how many wild card teams will make the 2022 Playoffs?

Here, we will answer that question, clarify a few misconceptions, and in no time, you'll know what to expect as the postseason is a mere two weeks away.

What to know about the 2022 NFL Playoffs

Following the 2019 NFL season, the league implemented key changes that would take effect from the 2022 season and beyond.

High up the list of changes was a major alteration in the postseason format. The National Football League expanded its playoff bracket from a 12-team to a 14-team tournament.

This gave room for an extra wildcard slot, meaning that we now have three wildcard teams per conference, with only the division winners with the best record awarded a first-round bye.

So there will be 14 teams in the league playoffs for the 2022 season, with seven teams from both conferences. The two conferences will send three wildcard teams and four division champions to the playoffs.

The League Playoffs Wild Card Round

First, each conference's division champion with the best regular-season record is granted a bye and an automatic berth in the divisional round. The games are played by seeds, as each team that qualifies for the playoffs will be handed a seed.

The four division champions are granted seeds based on their records and in-season play from 1-4, while the three NFL wild card teams are seeded from 5-7. Seed one (the Conference champion) will get the week off, while seeds two to seven will battle to qualify for the divisional round.

This year's wildcard round will take place from January 14 to 16, a mere week following the conclusion of the regular season. The rest of the playoffs involve divisional round matches, the conference championship, and the Super Bowl game.

The Current NFL playoff bracket for 2023

AFC

1. Buffalo Bills (BYE)
2. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 7. Miami Dolphins
3. Cincinnati Bengals vs. 6. Los Angeles Chargers
4. Tennessee Titans vs.5. Baltimore Ravens

NFC

1. Philadelphia Eagles (BYE)
2. Minnesota Vikings vs. 7. Washington Commanders
3. San Francisco 49ers vs. 6. New York Giants
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs.5. Dallas Cowboys