As part of the latest collecting bargaining agreement, the NFL playoff format has been revised for the first time since 2002. Six teams advancing to the postseason in each conference, which was in place since 1990, has been expanded to seven teams. A third wild card berth has been added in both conferences and the Wild Card Weekend schedule will feature six games instead of four.
There is also a huge change at top of the bracket, as only one team in each conference will receive a bye during the opening round. If the playoffs started this weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0) would receive the lone bye in the AFC and the New Orleans Saints (6-2) would get the bye in the NFC.