The structure employed by the National Football League in 2009 to determine its Super Bowl XLIV participants followed a single-elimination format involving twelve teams: six from the American Football Conference (AFC) and six from the National Football Conference (NFC). These teams qualified based on their regular season records, with division winners earning automatic berths and the remaining spots filled by the teams with the best records regardless of division affiliation. A visual representation illustrating the matchups, seeding, and progression of teams through the postseason is the end-to-end display.
The system in question is paramount for establishing the ultimate champion in professional American football. It provides a clear path for contenders, emphasizing the significance of each game and culminating in the Super Bowl, a widely viewed sporting event. Examining this particular iteration offers historical context, allowing for comparisons of team performance, strategic adjustments, and rule changes over time. The specific arrangement highlights which teams were considered top contenders that season and how they navigated the postseason challenge.
