<P> From 1961 through 1977 , the NFL schedule consisted of fourteen regular season games played over fourteen weeks , except in 1966 . Opening weekend typically was the weekend after Labor Day , or rarely two weekends after Labor Day . Teams played six or seven exhibition games . In 1966 ( and 1960 ) , the NFL had an odd number of franchises , so one team was idle each week . In 1978 , the league changed the schedule to include sixteen regular season games and four exhibition games . From 1978 through 1989 , the sixteen games were played over sixteen weeks . </P>
<P> From 1961 through 1977 , the NFL schedule consisted of fourteen regular season games played over fourteen weeks , except in 1966 . Opening weekend typically was the weekend after Labor Day , or rarely two weekends after Labor Day . Teams played six or seven exhibition games . In 1966 ( and 1960 ) , the NFL had an odd number of franchises , so one team was idle each week . In 1978 , the league changed the schedule to include sixteen regular season games and four exhibition games . From 1978 through 1989 , the sixteen games were played over sixteen weeks . </P>
when did the nfl change to a 16 game schedule
when did the nfl change to a 16 game schedule
1978
1978