The Full 2022 NFL Schedule and Key Dates
The 2022 NFL season is highly anticipated by football fans across the globe. On May 12, 2022, the full schedule was revealed, showcasing an exciting lineup of games throughout the season. Let’s dive into the details of the schedule and explore some key dates that football enthusiasts should mark on their calendars.
International Games
The NFL continues to expand its global reach with a series of international games in 2022. Five matchups have been scheduled in different locations, giving fans around the world the opportunity to experience the thrill of live NFL action:
- Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints – October 2, London
- New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers – October 9, London
- Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars – October 30, London
- Seattle Seahawks vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 13, Munich
- San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals – November 21, Mexico City
These games not only provide unique experiences for fans in different countries but also allow teams to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Start and End of the Regular Season
The NFL regular season kicks off on September 8, 2022. It promises an exciting opening match as the defending Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams, face off against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game will be televised at 8:20 PM ET.
Fans can enjoy 17 weeks of thrilling football action until the regular season concludes on January 8, 2023. The playoffs commence on January 14, 2023, launching an intense battle for a chance to compete in the Super Bowl.
The NFL Schedule-Making Process
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of schedule makers works tirelessly to create the NFL season plan. They consider various factors, including travel logistics, bye weeks, and international games. The process involves drafting thousands of possible schedules before carefully selecting the final version.
Structure of the NFL Schedule
The NFL features 32 teams divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference comprises four divisions: the East, North, South, and West, with four teams in each division.
In the 2022 season, each team will participate in 17 regular-season games. Let’s explore how the opponents for each team are determined:
- Six games against divisional opponents: Two home games and two away games.
- Four games against teams from a division within the same conference: Two home games and two away games.
- Four games against teams from a division in the other conference: Two home games and two away games.
- Two games against teams from the remaining divisions in their own conference: One home game and one away game. The matchups are based on division rankings from the previous season.
- One game against a non-conference opponent from a division not originally scheduled to play against. The matchup is based on division rankings from the previous season. This addition was introduced after the NFL owners approved a 17-game schedule for the 2021 season.
The NFL schedule aims to provide a balance of competition and variety for all teams, ensuring an exciting and fair season for fans.
Division-by-Division Matchups in 2022
Let’s take a closer look at the division-by-division matchups for the 2022 season:
- AFC East teams will face the AFC North, the NFC North, and one team from the NFC West.
- AFC North teams will face the AFC East, NFC South, and one team from the NFC East.
- AFC South teams will meet the AFC West, NFC East, and one team from the NFC North.
- AFC West teams will play the AFC South, NFC West, and one team from the NFC South.
- NFC East teams are matched up with the NFC North, AFC South, and one team from the AFC North.
- NFC North teams meet the AFC East, NFC East, and one team from the AFC South.
- NFC South teams will face the NFC West, AFC North, and one team from the AFC West.
- NFC West teams will play the NFC South, AFC West teams, and one team from the AFC East.
These matchups ensure a mix of intra-conference and inter-conference games, offering fans a chance to witness exciting clashes between teams from different divisions.
NFL Bye Weeks
During the NFL season, each team enjoys a bye week—a week off from playing—between Weeks 6 and 14. Bye weeks for the 2022 season fall between October 14-16 and December 9-13. These breaks provide teams with valuable rest and preparation time as they gear up for the remaining games.
NFL Preseason Schedule
The NFL preseason builds excitement and anticipation as teams prepare for the regular season. The 2022 preseason schedule was released on June 7 and spans three weeks, from August 4 to August 28. The Hall of Fame game, which marks the beginning of the preseason, will take place on Thursday, August 4.
Key Dates to Remember
Here are some important dates to keep in mind throughout the 2022 NFL season:
- The first game of the season: September 8, 2022 – Los Angeles Rams vs Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium.
- NFL Trade Deadline: November 1, 2022 – Occurring on the Tuesday following Week 8 of the season.
- Regular Season End: January 8, 2023 – The final day of regular-season games.
- Super Bowl LVII: February 12, 2023 – Taking place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
These dates mark significant milestones, from the kickoff of the season to the pinnacle event of the NFL, the Super Bowl.
Watching NFL Games
Watching NFL games is a thrilling experience for fans, and numerous broadcasting channels and streaming services provide coverage throughout the season. Here’s a breakdown of which networks carry games during specific time slots:
- Monday Night Football: ESPN, ESPN+ (streaming)
- Thursday Night Football: NFL Network, FOX, Amazon Prime (streaming)
- Sunday afternoon games: FOX/CBS, Tubi/Paramount+ (streaming)
- Sunday Night Football: NBC, Peacock (streaming)
By tuning in to these platforms, fans can catch their favorite teams in action and experience the excitement of NFL games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long do NFL games last?
NFL games typically have a duration of 60 minutes, divided into four 15-minute quarters. In the case of a tie at the end of regulation, the game proceeds to overtime.
2. How long is halftime in the NFL?
Halftime in NFL games generally lasts around 12 minutes. However, major events like the Super Bowl extend halftime to accommodate additional activities such as musical performances.
3. How can I watch NFL games?
NFL games are broadcasted on different days and times, including Thursday nights, Sunday afternoons, Sunday nights, and Monday nights. Various channels and streaming services have the rights to air games during specific time slots. The broadcasts are as follows:
- Monday Night Football: ESPN, ESPN+ (streaming)
- Thursday Night Football: NFL Network, FOX, Amazon Prime (streaming)
- Sunday afternoon games: FOX/CBS, Tubi/Paramount+ (streaming)
- Sunday Night Football: NBC, Peacock (streaming)
By checking the listings on these platforms, NFL fans can ensure they never miss a game.
4. How many games are there in an NFL season?
The NFL regular season consists of 272 games in total. Each team plays 17 games over the course of 18 weeks, with one bye week off. This layout provides ample opportunities for bettors and fans to engage and enjoy the excitement of the NFL season.
5. When is the Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LVII will be held on February 12, 202
