The National Football League (NFL) is split into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The AFC was formed in 1970 as part of the NFL-AFL merger, incorporating all ten former American Football League (AFL) teams and three teams that moved from the NFL. The conference includes 16 teams divided into four divisions: North, South, East, and West.
AFC Divisions
The AFC is organized into four divisions, each with four teams.
- AFC North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC South: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
- AFC West: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division (AFC West) is one of the four divisions in the AFC. The division includes the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers. The AFC West has sent teams to the Super Bowl twenty-one times, winning ten times. The Kansas City Chiefs have the most Super Bowl wins in the division with four victories. The Broncos have appeared in the most Super Bowls with eight, followed by the Chiefs with seven and the Raiders with five. The Chargers lost their lone Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXIX. Two members of the division have won back-to-back Super Bowls.
AFC Championship Game
Each season, AFC teams compete in a regular season followed by playoffs if they qualify. The top teams from each division advance to the AFC Championship Game. The winner of this game advances to the Super Bowl to face the champion of the NFC. The AFC plays a crucial role in the NFL’s structure and competitive balance, featuring a mix of historic franchises and newer teams that contribute to the NFL’s rich history.