NFL regular season matchups are determined according to a scheduling formula.

The league had been using a scheduling formula to pre-determine which teams plays whom during a given season.

Due to the NFL's scheduling formula the Bears played 6 inter-division games, posting a record of 5-1.

Instead it had a somewhat controversial scheduling formula, which led to uneven standings and controversial champions.

Matchups were determined at the end of the 2007 season based on the league's scheduling formula.

An enduring controversy is that the 1972 Dolphins played a soft schedule not possible under the current scheduling formula.

The current scheduling formula, however, causes the two teams to meet only once every four years.

But that will not silence critics of the program's scheduling formula.

Because of their last-place finishes, under the N.F.L.'s scheduling formula, the teams will play each other again next season.

Matchups were determined at the end of last season through the league's scheduling formula.