Can a whole division make the NFL playoffs? Possibilities and standings explained with the AFC East showing potential in the 2022 season

Making the NFL playoffs is the goal of every franchise in each campaign. Whether realistic or not, each franchise harbors dreams and ambitions that sometimes transcend the acheivable.

The postseason games are currently open to seven sides from each of the NFL's conferences. A tie-breaking process is available if necessary. Following three rounds of playoff games, the Super Bowl determines the overall winner of the Lombardi Trophy every season.

Out of the seven slots available in each conference, four go the division champions. The remaining three Wild Card slots are given to the teams with the best records across the conference. This leads to some interesting possibilities, such as multiple teams making the playoffs from the same division.

It's possible that all of the sides from the same division can make the NFL playoffs, due to the changes the NFL made ahead of the 2020 campaign.

The NFL added an extra Wild Card slot to each conference ahead of the 2020 season

The NFL changed the postseason structure from 12 to 14 teams in 2020, and it will be the same for the foreseeable future. Seven franchises from each conference will make the playoffs, and the franchise with the best record in each conference will receive a bye in the first round.

To sort teams with tied records, the NFL uses the following system to order rankings:

1. Head-to-head between the two franchises.
2. Best win percentage in divisional games.
3. Best win percentage in common games.
4. Best win percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Margin of victory in all fixtures.
6. Strength of schedule in all fixtures.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and conceded in all fixtures.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and conceded in all fixtures.
9. Best net points in common fixtures.
10. Best net points in all fixtures.
11. Best net touchdowns in all fixtures.
12. Coin toss

Has an entire division made the playoffs in NFL history?

Before 2020, four franchises from a whole division couldn't qualify for the postseason. However, with the NFL's expansion of the playoffs to include seven teams per conference, it is now feasible.

Though this has yet to happen, there is now a distinct possibility that all of the teams in a division will advance this year. The AFC East is very strong in the 2022 campaign and currently all four franchises are in playoff positions. If the season ended today, the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots would all feature in the postseason.

Last year, it took 15 weeks of the season before a franchise secured a postseason berth. We might have to wait just as long to see anyone clinch a postseason spot for the 2023 NFL postseason, given the competitiveness we have witnessed thus far.