NFL tiebreaker rules determine how teams are ordered when two or more clubs have the same win-loss-tie record. The exact procedure depends on whether the league is resolving a division title or a wild-card place, and whether two clubs or several clubs are tied.
Common tiebreaking factors
Depending on the type of tie and the steps reached in the official procedure, factors can include:
- Head-to-head record: how the tied teams performed against one another, where applicable.
- Division record: results against teams in the same division, particularly for division tiebreakers.
- Conference record: results against teams within the same conference.
- Common games: results against a required minimum set of shared opponents, where the rule applies.
- Strength of victory and strength of schedule: the combined record of the teams a club defeated or faced.
- Further criteria: the official procedure includes additional statistical comparisons and, ultimately, a coin toss if earlier steps do not break the tie.
Why the order matters
Two teams with the same overall record may not occupy the same playoff position. A head-to-head result, division record or conference record can decide a tie before later criteria are considered. This is why a single win can affect a team’s standing in more than one way—especially late in the season.
Official reference
For the complete and current procedure, consult the 2026 NFL Rulebook and the NFL’s official playoff picture. Our NFL playoff picture guide explains how to follow division leaders and wild-card contenders.
Updated October 26, 2026. Always use the current NFL rulebook for a specific tie scenario.