The NFL expanded to 32 teams in 2002 with the addition of the Houston Texans. In addition, the NFL realigned for the first time since 1970-into eight divisions of four teams each-and the scheduling formula that was introduced guarantees fir the first time that all teams play each other on a regular, rotating basis. Although the number of teams has increased to 32, the number of playoff teams remains the same at 12.

Under the NFL scheduling format, every team within a division plays 16 games as follows:

*Home and away against its division opponents (6 games).
*The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games).
*The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games).
*Two intraconference games based on the prior year's standings (2 games). These games will match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place, and fourth-place teams in a conference will be matched in the same way each year.

The schedule format takes each team through a cycle of games-home and away-against every other team in the league. From 2002-2009, every team will play every other team at least twice-once home and once away. After the 2009 season, a decision will be made on whether to continue with the same rotation or modify it.

In determining how to begin the divisional rotation in 2002, the displacement if teams from their old division in the new alignment was taken into account. Preference was given to scheduling games with former division rivals and other regional opponents for clubs realigned from otherwise intact divisions.

FUTURE SCHEDULING ROTATION

		2008	2009
AFC	Interconference	AFCW	AFCS
EAST	Intraconference	NFCW	NFCS
AFC	Interconference	AFCS	AFCW
NORTH	Intraconference	NFCE	NFCN
AFC	Interconference	AFCN	AFCE
SOUTH	Intraconference	NFCN	NFCW
AFC	Interconference	AFCE	AFCN
WEST	Intraconference	NFCS	NFCE
NFC	Interconference	NFCW	NFCS
EAST	Intraconference	AFCN	AFCW
NFC	Interconference	NFCS	NFCW
NORTH	Intraconference	AFCS	AFCN
NFC	Interconference	NFCN	NFCE
SOUTH	Intraconference	AFCW	AFCE
NFC	Interconference	NFCE	NFCN
WEST	Intraconference	AFCE	AFCS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
NON-DIVISIONAL OPPONENTS 2009

	HOME	AWAY
Intraconference By Division	Dallas Cowboys	Philadelphia Eagles
	New York Giants	Washington Redskins
Intraconference By Division	New England Patriots	Buffalo Bills
	New York Jets	Miami Dolphins
Interconference By Division	Detroit Lions	St. Louis Rams