The system used to determine the participants and structure of the National Football League’s postseason tournament following the 2013 regular season is a visual representation of the playoff matchups. This visual guide charts the progress of each team through the Wild Card Round, Divisional Round, Conference Championships, and ultimately, the Super Bowl XLVIII matchup. For example, the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos ultimately contested the Super Bowl after navigating their respective conference brackets.
This system is crucial for understanding the path to the Super Bowl, allowing fans, analysts, and teams to strategize and predict outcomes. It provides a clear overview of the competition, highlighting potential matchups and the stakes at each stage. Its historical significance lies in its evolution alongside the league itself, adapting to changes in team distribution and playoff qualification rules to ensure a fair and exciting postseason.