How Many Games Until Super Bowl LVIII? Full Playoff Breakdown

By Sarah Miller · May 29, 2038

The number of games until the Super Bowl depends on the team and playoff path, but for most NFL teams, it takes a minimum of 1 game (for the two conference champions) and up to 4 games to reach and win the Super Bowl. The final matchup is determined by the AFC and NFC Championship winners facing off in Super Bowl LVIII, scheduled for February 9, 2025.

How the NFL Playoff Structure Leads to the Super Bowl

The road to the Super Bowl is structured through a multi-round playoff system. After a 17-game regular season, 14 teams qualify for the postseason: 7 from each conference (AFC and NFC). These include 4 division winners and 3 wild-card teams with the best records.

Stages of the NFL Playoffs

Wild Card Round: 6 teams per conference play; 3 winners advance.
Divisional Round: 4 remaining teams per conference compete; 2 winners move on.

Conference Championships:

Super Bowl: The AFC Champion vs. the NFC Champion.

Therefore, a team that wins its division and earns a top-two seed plays 3 games after the regular season: one in the Divisional Round, one in the Conference Championship, and the Super Bowl. Wild-card teams or lower seeds must win an additional Wild Card game, totaling 4 postseason games to claim the title.

Number of Games by Team Path

Different seeding leads to varying numbers of required games. Here's a breakdown based on playoff seeding:

Playoff Seed	Wildcard Round	Divisional Round	Conference Championship	Super Bowl	Total Games to Win Super Bowl
1 (Bye Week)	No Game	Game #1	Game #2	Game #3	3
2 (Bye Week)	No Game	Game #1	Game #2	Game #3	3
3	Game #1	Game #2	Game #3	Game #4	4
4	Game #1	Game #2	Game #3	Game #4	4
5	Game #1	Game #2	Game #3	Game #4	4
6	Game #1	Game #2	Game #3	Game #4	4
7	Game #1	Game #2	Game #3	Game #4	4

Table data source:1, 2

Teams seeded 1 and 2 receive a first-round bye, giving them a strategic advantage by reducing the number of games needed to three. All other playoff teams must win four consecutive games to lift the Lombardi Trophy. This structure rewards regular-season performance with rest and home-field advantage.

Key Factors Influencing the Road to the Super Bowl

Regular Season Performance

A strong finish during the 17-week regular season determines seeding and playoff eligibility. Higher seeds gain critical advantages such as home-field games and a bye week.

Injury Management and Rest

Teams with a bye week have extra time to recover from injuries and prepare strategically. This rest period can significantly impact performance in later rounds.

Strength of Schedule

The difficulty of opponents faced in both regular and postseason play affects a team’s likelihood of advancing. Scheduling variance between conferences can also influence perceived competitive balance.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Games Until the Super Bowl

How many games do you need to win to get to the Super Bowl?

A team must win either 3 or 4 playoff games to reach the Super Bowl, depending on their seeding. Top two seeds in each conference skip the Wild Card round and need 3 wins. Seeds 3 through 7 must win 4 games.

How many games are in the NFL playoffs before the Super Bowl?

There are 13 total playoff games before and including the Super Bowl: 6 Wild Card games, 4 Divisional Round games, 2 Conference Championships, and 1 Super Bowl.

Do all teams have to play the same number of games to reach the Super Bowl?

No. Teams seeded 1st and 2nd in each conference receive a bye in the Wild Card round, meaning they play one fewer game than lower-seeded teams. This rewards better regular-season performance.

When is Super Bowl LVIII in 2025?

Super Bowl LVIII is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will feature the AFC and NFC champions.

Can a team with a losing record make the Super Bowl?

While extremely rare, it is theoretically possible under current NFL rules. A team could qualify for the playoffs with a losing record if they win a weak division. However, winning four playoff games with such a record has never happened.

In summary, the number of games until the Super Bowl varies from 3 to 4 for competing teams, depending on playoff seeding and performance. The NFL’s bracket-style postseason ensures a clear path to the championship, rewarding consistency and excellence throughout the season.