(NFC). Since 2002, each conference has 16 teams and is further divided into four geographic divisions of four teams each. As of 2025, qualification into the playoffs works as follows:

* The four division champions from each conference (the team in each division with the best overall record) are seeded 1 through 4 based on their overall won-lost-tied record.
* Three wild-card qualifiers from each conference (the three teams with