<P> In the first year of the play - offs in 2010, all eight teams started equal . After that season, it was decided to reward teams for their performance in league play . in 2011 and 2012, the top two teams at the end of the league stage carried over 3 competition points to the promotion play - offs; the next two teams carried over 2; the next two carried over 1; and the final two teams carried over none . (Points were earned using the standard bonus points system .) </P> <P> The relegation play - offs, like the first stage of the promotion play - offs, were conducted as a home - and - away league, with the bottom team at the end of league play relegated to National League 1 . As with the 2010 promotion play - offs, that season's relegation play - offs started all teams equal . in 2011 and 2012, each team in the relegation play - offs carried over 1 competition point for every win in the league season . </P> <P> Beginning with the 2012--13 season, the pool stage of the promotion playoffs was abolished, with the top four sides directly entering the semi-finals . The format of the knockout stage remained unchanged from 2012, with two - legged semi-finals followed by a two - legged final . At the other end of the table, the bottom club is now automatically relegated . </P> <P> Effective with the 2017--18 season, the promotion play - offs will be scrapped for a minimum of three seasons, to be replaced with automatic promotion for the club finishing atop the league at the end of the home - and - away season (provided said club meets minimum Premiership standards). </P>

How many games do you have to win to make nfl playoffs