NFL Teams That Play Football on Sundays Every Week
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC). While the NFL season typically runs from September to February, with teams playing one game per week, the scheduling of these games can vary. Most NFL teams play their games on Sundays, but the exact day and time can differ based on various factors, including television broadcasting preferences and team scheduling conflicts.
NFL Scheduling Basics
The NFL has a complex scheduling system that takes into account numerous factors, including: * Team Preferences: Teams may have preferences for certain days or times based on their home stadium’s availability and other logistical considerations. * TV Broadcasting: The NFL has television contracts with major networks, including CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network. These contracts influence the scheduling of games, with certain networks having priority on specific days or times. * Rivalries and Matchups: The NFL considers the competitive balance and appeal of matchups when scheduling games. High-profile games or rivalry matchups may be scheduled for prime time or on specific days to maximize viewership.
Which NFL Teams Play on Sundays?
Given the NFL’s scheduling complexities, it’s challenging to pinpoint which teams play on Sundays every week. However, we can examine the scheduling patterns of NFL teams to identify those that frequently play on Sundays.
Typical NFL Game Days
NFL games are typically played on: * Sundays: The majority of NFL games are played on Sundays, with a standard window between 1:00 PM ET and 4:25 PM ET. This time slot is usually filled with multiple games across different networks. * Mondays: Monday Night Football (MNF) is a primetime game usually played at 8:15 PM ET. Not all teams play on Mondays every week, as MNF games are selected based on various factors, including team performance and matchup appeal. * Thursdays: Thursday Night Football (TNF) is another primetime game, typically played at 8:20 PM ET. Like MNF, TNF games are not played every week by the same teams.
Teams That Frequently Play on Sundays
While there isn’t a straightforward answer to which NFL teams play on Sundays every week, certain teams are more likely to be scheduled on Sundays due to their divisional alignment, conference, and other factors. Teams within the same division often play each other on specific days, including Sundays.
Factors Influencing Sunday Scheduling
Several factors can influence whether an NFL team plays on a Sunday: * Divisional Scheduling: Teams within the same division play each other more frequently, and their matchups are often scheduled on Sundays. * Conference Scheduling: Inter-conference games (AFC vs. NFC) are typically played on Sundays, but the specific teams and matchups can vary. * Strength of Schedule: The NFL considers the strength of schedule when determining matchups and game days.
Examining Past Schedules
To better understand which teams might play on Sundays, let’s examine past NFL schedules. For instance, during the 2022 NFL season: * AFC Teams: Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals played a significant number of their games on Sundays. * NFC Teams: Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys also had a high number of Sunday games.
Sunday Game Distribution
The distribution of Sunday games across the NFL is relatively even, with most teams playing between 12 to 14 games on Sundays over the course of a 17-week regular season. However, the exact distribution can vary based on the scheduling factors mentioned earlier.
| Team | Typical Game Day |
|---|---|
| AFC West Teams | Sunday |
| NFC West Teams | Sunday |
| Other Teams | Varies (Sunday, Monday, Thursday) |
Conclusion
While it’s difficult to identify NFL teams that play football on Sundays every week due to the league’s complex scheduling system, certain teams are more likely to be scheduled on Sundays based on their divisional alignment and other factors. Understanding the NFL’s scheduling patterns and the factors that influence game days can provide insight into which teams might typically play on Sundays.
FAQs
Which NFL teams are most likely to play on Sundays?
+Teams in the AFC West and NFC West are historically more likely to play on Sundays due to their divisional scheduling.
How does the NFL determine game days for teams?
+The NFL considers factors like team preferences, TV broadcasting contracts, rivalries, and matchups when determining game days.
Can a team play on a different day than Sunday?
+Yes, teams can play on Mondays (Monday Night Football) or Thursdays (Thursday Night Football) based on the NFL’s scheduling.
How many games do NFL teams typically play on Sundays?
+Most NFL teams play between 12 to 14 games on Sundays over the course of a 17-week regular season.