The Super Bowl has been around since the 1966 season, but the championship game had a completely different look than it does now.
It used to be the championship game between the NFL and the AFL (American Football League). When the two leagues merged in 1970, the true era began.
Now, the competition is vast, the playoff experience is extremely competitive, and there’s a pop culture aspect to it.
That impacts the regular season, which creates engagement and build-up heading into the big game. With the Super Bowl being introduced, there’s more incentive, which means every game matters. Overall records and vying for Wild-Card spots made the journey so much more engaging for fans; it’s not always about the division winner.
There have been 280 turnovers in the NFL since Week 12
The Chiefs have committed ZERO of them
8 straight games without TO is longest streak by any team in Super Bowl era (incl. playoffs) pic.twitter.com/CfyevI2MHe
— NFL on CBS
(@NFLonCBS) January 20, 2025
That then creates the seeding factor. The record matters.
Plus, it could result in an upset victory like we saw in this season’s Divisional Round with the Washington Commanders (a No. 6 seed) taking down the Detroit Lions (a No. 1 seed).
NFC Championship bound
pic.twitter.com/dNLW5OKImG
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 20, 2025
“If we’re going to be heavy hitters, we’ve got to prove that we’re going to be heavy hitters,” Washington running back Austin Ekeler said on Sunday after the 45-31 win. “You got to beat heavy hitters to be a heavy hitter. So that was [Dan Quinn’s] message today.”
A Cinderella story ALWAYS plays.
The NFL expanded the playoffs to 14 teams in 2020, giving more opportunities for such stories to happen.
Mind you, there could be some raised eyebrows, if, say, an 8-8 team wins the Super Bowl, but that also leans into the unpredictability. The inclusivity truly adds to the success that makes the era as successful as it is.
