What does it mean to be a 'wildcard' in the NFL?

The NFL has two conferences, the NFC and AFC. Each conference has sixteen teams, and four divisions; each division has four teams. All division winners make the playoffs. The two best teams, by record, in each conference that DO NOT win their divisions, also make the playoffs as so-called "wild card" teams. read more

To be a wildcard in the NFL, you need to be one of the two best teams in your conference (NFC or AFC) and not have won your division. This is done to extend playoff time an extra week, maximizing both potential for upsets and storylines, but profits for the NFL as well. read more

This means that the wild-card with the best record got a seed as high as #2 (if that team is in the same division as the team with the best record in the conference); however, the next four wild-card teams will still be limited to the #5 through #8 seeds. read more

NFL wild card berths are the spots in postseason playoff games given to the top two teams in both the American and National Football Conferences that did not win a division title within their conference. The season's win-loss records for the teams determine which ones get the wild card berths. read more