How Many NFL Teams Are There? The Current Number and Breakdown
If you’ve ever stared at a map of the U.S. and wondered, “How many cities does it take to sustain a football obsession?”, the answer is 32. That’s right—the NFL is like a sports-themed math problem: 32 teams, split into two conferences, divided into eight divisions, and multiplied by approximately 10,000 nacho spills per game. It’s science. Sort of.
The NFL’s Conference Chaos: AFC vs. NFC
The league splits its 32 teams into two warring factions (okay, conferences): the AFC (American Football Conference) and NFC (National Football Conference). Think of them as rival pizza chains, except instead of arguing over pineapple toppings, they fight for the Lombardi Trophy. Each conference has 16 teams, neatly packaged into four divisions of four teams. Why four? Because football loves symmetry—or it ran out of creative ideas after the third division.
- AFC Divisions:
- East: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets (aka the “Wait, It’s Someone’s Turn to Win, Right?” group)
- North: Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Steelers (where winter games look like a Yeti convention)
- South: Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans (the humidity division)
- West: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers (mile-high ambitions and Vegas neon)
- NFC Divisions:
- East: Cowboys, Giants, Commanders, Eagles (dysfunctional family Thanksgiving vibes)
- North: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings (cheese, cars, and “almost” championships)
- South: Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Buccaneers (where pirate ships and gumbo collide)
- West: Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks (tech money meets desert bird mysteries)
Wait, why 32 teams and not, say, 31 or 33? Because the NFL likes round numbers—and also, 32 is the exact number required to ensure at least one team near you breaks your heart annually. Rumor has it expansion to 34 or 36 teams is possible, but for now, the 32-team party rages on. Just don’t ask the Jaguars about attendance.
So there you have it: 32 teams, 256 regular-season games, and one lingering question—when will London get a team? (We’re guessing after they figure out the whole “tea breaks during timeouts” thing.)
NFL Teams: Complete List of Franchises, Divisions, and Historical Changes
The Franchises: 32 Flavors of Football Chaos
The NFL’s 32 teams are like a mismatched collection of action figures someone left in a blender. From the Green Bay Packers (a team owned by fans, which sounds like socialism but with more cheese) to the Dallas Cowboys (America’s Team™, pending subscription renewal), each franchise brings its own brand of drama. Want a team that’s never won a Super Bowl? The Detroit Lions are here to disappoint you politely. Prefer a mascot that’s just… a color? Say hello to the Cleveland Browns, who’ve spent decades proving brown is indeed a vibe.
Divisions: Where Geography Is a Suggestion
The NFL splits its teams into eight divisions, which are basically Hogwarts houses but with more spandex. For example:
- AFC North: Where teams survive on grit, cold weather, and the shared trauma of playing the Steelers.
- NFC West: Home to the Seahawks, 49ers, and two teams that moved to Los Angeles because Hollywood needed more drama.
- AFC East: Once the Patriots’ backyard BBQ, now a chaotic potluck where the Dolphins occasionally show up with a surprise casserole.
The NFC East deserves its own reality show—no team has repeated as division champ since 2004, which is either thrilling or proof of a cursed fax machine.
Historical Changes: Teams That Can’t Sit Still
NFL franchises have relocated more often than a teenager changes their WiFi password. The Raiders went from Oakland to Los Angeles to Las Vegas, treating cities like Tinder matches. The Rams and Chargers both bolted to LA, creating a housing crisis for stadiums. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans once called Houston home, which is awkward since the Texans now live there—like your ex renting your old apartment.
Even names aren’t safe. The Washington Commanders rebranded from a racial slur to something that sounds like a sci-fi spaceship crew. The Houston Texans narrowly avoided being called the “Bobcats,” which would’ve made every game feel like a nature documentary. And let’s not forget the Arizona Cardinals, who began in Chicago—a fact that haunts Midwesterners during playoff droughts. History’s wild, folks. Just ask the St. Louis… uh, Los Angeles… *checks notes*… Rams.
