NFL Data
Setup
Before first use, check if the CLI is available:
bash
which sports-skills || pip install sports-skills
If
fails (package not found or Python version error), install from GitHub:
bash
pip install git+https://github.com/machina-sports/sports-skills.git
The package requires Python 3.10+. If your default Python is older, use a specific version:
bash
python3 --version # check version
# If < 3.10, try: python3.12 -m pip install sports-skills
# On macOS with Homebrew: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12 -m pip install sports-skills
No API keys required.
Quick Start
Prefer the CLI — it avoids Python import path issues:
bash
sports-skills nfl get_scoreboard
sports-skills nfl get_standings --season=2025
sports-skills nfl get_teams
Python SDK (alternative):
python
from sports_skills import nfl
scores = nfl.get_scoreboard({})
standings = nfl.get_standings({"params": {"season": "2025"}})
Choosing the Season
Derive the current year from the system prompt's date (e.g.,
→ current year is 2026).
- If the user specifies a season, use it as-is.
- If the user says "current", "this season", or doesn't specify: The NFL season runs September–February. If the current month is March–August, use (upcoming season). If September–February, the active season started in the previous calendar year if you're in Jan/Feb, otherwise current year.
- Never hardcode a season. Always derive it from the system date.
Commands
get_scoreboard
Get live/recent NFL scores.
- (str, optional): Date in YYYY-MM-DD format
- (int, optional): Week number (1-18 regular season, 19-23 postseason)
Returns
with game info, scores, status, and competitors.
get_standings
Get NFL standings by conference and division.
- (int, optional): Season year
Returns
with AFC/NFC conferences, divisions, and team standings including W-L-T, PCT, PF, PA.
get_teams
Get all 32 NFL teams. No parameters.
Returns
with id, name, abbreviation, logo, and location.
get_team_roster
Get full roster for a team.
- (str, required): ESPN team ID (e.g., "12" for Broncos)
Returns
with name, position, jersey number, height, weight, experience.
get_team_schedule
Get schedule for a specific team.
- (str, required): ESPN team ID
- (int, optional): Season year
Returns
with opponent, date, score (if played), and venue.
get_game_summary
Get detailed box score and scoring plays.
- (str, required): ESPN event ID
Returns
,
,
(passing/rushing/receiving stats),
, and
.
get_leaders
Get NFL statistical leaders (passing, rushing, receiving).
- (int, optional): Season year
Returns
with leader rankings per stat category.
get_news
Get NFL news articles.
- (str, optional): Filter by team
Returns
with headline, description, published date, and link.
get_play_by_play
Get full play-by-play data for a game.
- (str, required): ESPN event ID
Returns
with play-by-play detail including down, distance, yard line, play description, and scoring plays.
get_win_probability
Get win probability chart data for a game.
- (str, required): ESPN event ID
Returns timestamped home/away win probability percentages throughout the game.
get_schedule
Get NFL season schedule by week.
- (int, optional): Season year
- (int, optional): Week number (1-18 regular season, 19-23 postseason)
Returns
for the specified week/season.
get_injuries
Get current NFL injury reports across all teams. No parameters.
Returns
with per-team injury lists including player name, position, status (Out/Doubtful/Questionable/Day-To-Day), injury type, and detail.
get_transactions
Get recent NFL transactions (trades, signings, waivers).
- (int, optional): Max transactions to return. Defaults to 50.
Returns
with date, team, and description.
get_futures
Get NFL futures/odds markets (Super Bowl winner, MVP, etc.).
- (int, optional): Max entries per market. Defaults to 25.
- (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
Returns
with market name and entries (team/player name + odds value).
get_depth_chart
Get depth chart for a specific team.
- (str, required): ESPN team ID
Returns
with offense/defense/special teams positions and player depth order.
get_team_stats
Get full team statistical profile for a season.
- (str, required): ESPN team ID
- (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
- (int, optional): 1=preseason, 2=regular (default), 3=postseason.
Returns
(Passing, Rushing, Receiving, etc.) with detailed stats including value, rank, and per-game averages.
get_player_stats
Get full player statistical profile for a season.
- (str, required): ESPN athlete ID
- (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
- (int, optional): 1=preseason, 2=regular (default), 3=postseason.
Returns
with detailed stats including value, rank, and per-game averages.
Team IDs (Common)
| Team | ID | Team | ID |
|---|
| Cardinals | 22 | Rams | 14 |
| Falcons | 1 | Ravens | 33 |
| Bills | 2 | Bears | 3 |
| Panthers | 29 | Bengals | 4 |
| Cowboys | 6 | Browns | 5 |
| Broncos | 7 | Lions | 8 |
| Packers | 9 | Texans | 34 |
| Colts | 11 | Jaguars | 30 |
| Chiefs | 12 | Raiders | 13 |
| Chargers | 24 | Dolphins | 15 |
| Vikings | 16 | Patriots | 17 |
| Saints | 18 | Giants | 19 |
| Jets | 20 | Eagles | 21 |
| Steelers | 23 | 49ers | 25 |
| Seahawks | 26 | Buccaneers | 27 |
| Titans | 10 | Commanders | 28 |
Examples
User: "What are today's NFL scores?"
bash
sports-skills nfl get_scoreboard
User: "Show me the AFC standings"
bash
sports-skills nfl get_standings --season=2025
Then filter results for AFC conference.
User: "Who's on the Chiefs roster?"
bash
sports-skills nfl get_team_roster --team_id=12
User: "How did the Super Bowl go?"
- Find the event_id from (Super Bowl = week 23)
- Call
get_game_summary --event_id=<id>
User: "Who's injured on the Chiefs?"
bash
sports-skills nfl get_injuries
Then filter results for Kansas City Chiefs (team_id=12).
User: "Show me the Chiefs depth chart"
bash
sports-skills nfl get_depth_chart --team_id=12
User: "What are the Super Bowl odds?"
bash
sports-skills nfl get_futures --limit=10
User: "Show me Patrick Mahomes' stats this season"
bash
sports-skills nfl get_player_stats --player_id=3139477
Error Handling
When a command fails, do not surface raw errors to the user. Instead:
- Catch silently and try alternatives
- If team name given instead of ID, use to find the ID first
- Only report failure with a clean message after exhausting alternatives
Troubleshooting
- command not found: Run
pip install sports-skills
pip install git+https://github.com/machina-sports/sports-skills.git
- Team not found: Use to list all teams and find the correct ID
- No data for future games: ESPN only returns data for completed or in-progress games
- Week numbers: Regular season is weeks 1-18. Postseason uses unified numbering: Wild Card=19, Divisional=20, Conference Championship=21, Pro Bowl=22, Super Bowl=23. The connector translates these to ESPN's internal automatically.
- Team schedule includes postseason: returns both regular-season and postseason games.