AFC Teams Guide
2025-2026
The American Football Conference features 16 of the NFL's 32 teams split across four divisions. From the Chiefs dynasty to the Ravens' defensive tradition, this is your complete guide to every AFC team.
What Is the AFC in American Football?
The American Football Conference (AFC) is one of the two conferences that make up the National Football League. Along with the NFC, the AFC comprises all 32 NFL teams. Sixteen teams compete within the AFC, each fighting for one of seven playoff spots and ultimately the right to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.
The AFC was created in 1970 when the American Football League (AFL) merged with the NFL. Ten AFL franchises were absorbed into the NFL, joined by three existing NFL teams — the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers — to form the 13-team AFC. Expansion over the decades brought the conference to its current 16-team format.
AFC teams compete in 17 regular-season games, playing every team in their own division twice (home and away), rotating matchups against the NFC, and a schedule of games against other AFC divisions. The top seed in each conference receives a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
AFC East
Full Division CoverageHome to some of the NFL's most storied franchises, the AFC East has been dominated by the New England Patriots dynasty but is now one of the most competitive divisions in football.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL and are perennial AFC contenders led by Josh Allen.
Miami Dolphins
The only team to finish a perfect season (17-0 in 1972), Miami has rebuilt into a high-octane passing offense.
New England Patriots
The most successful franchise of the 21st century, the Patriots are rebuilding after the Brady-Belichick era ended.
New York Jets
The Jets won Super Bowl III in one of football's greatest upsets and are building around Aaron Rodgers.
AFC North
Full Division CoverageThe AFC North is known as the toughest division in the NFL, featuring four historically successful franchises with passionate fan bases across the industrial heartland.
Baltimore Ravens
Built on elite defense and smart football, the Ravens won Super Bowls in 2001 and 2013 and remain AFC title contenders.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals reached Super Bowl LVI behind Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow, establishing themselves as AFC contenders.
Cleveland Browns
One of the NFL's oldest franchises, Cleveland is building toward a first Super Bowl appearance with a revamped roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tied with the Patriots for most Super Bowl wins, the Steelers' "Terrible Towel" tradition and Steel Curtain defense are legendary.
AFC South
Full Division CoverageThe youngest division in the AFC, the AFC South features several franchises still establishing their identities alongside some strong playoff contenders.
Houston Texans
The Texans are one of the NFL's newest franchises but quickly built competitive teams with CJ Stroud leading a resurgence.
Indianapolis Colts
The franchise of Peyton Manning and Johnny Unitas, the Colts won Super Bowls in 1971 and 2007.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are rebuilding with Trevor Lawrence as their franchise quarterback after back-to-back playoff appearances.
Tennessee Titans
Formerly the Houston Oilers, the Titans reached Super Bowl XXXIV and are in a full rebuild with their new stadium in development.
AFC West
Full Division CoverageThe AFC West has been one of the most consistently competitive divisions in football, home to the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty and three other quality franchises.
Denver Broncos
Three Super Bowl titles including back-to-back with John Elway and a Peyton Manning-led defense, Denver is rebuilding.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs dynasty under Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid is the defining NFL story of the 2020s with four Super Bowl titles.
Las Vegas Raiders
Formerly in Oakland, the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020 and are rebuilding with a new direction.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a storied history in San Diego and are building around Justin Herbert as their franchise quarterback.
AFC History and Legacy
The AFC has produced many of the NFL's most memorable dynasties and players. The Pittsburgh Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years during the 1970s with the legendary Steel Curtain defense. The San Francisco... correction — the AFC's own dynasty began with the Dallas Cowboys? No — the AFC's dominance is defined by the New England Patriots winning six Super Bowls between 2002 and 2019 with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
The Kansas City Chiefs picked up where the Patriots left off, winning four Super Bowls from 2020 through 2025 under Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs represent the AFC West and have become the standard for sustained excellence in modern football.
Other notable AFC dynasties include the Denver Broncos teams of John Elway (1997, 1998 Super Bowl wins) and the Peyton Manning-led Super Bowl 50 champions. The Baltimore Ravens built two Super Bowl-winning rosters around elite defense, and the Indianapolis Colts with Peyton Manning won Super Bowl XLI.
Seven AFC teams qualify for the playoffs each season, with the conference champion facing the NFC champion in the Super Bowl. The AFC champion earns the right to compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy — the ultimate prize in professional football.
AFC Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the AFC?
The AFC has 16 teams divided across four divisions: AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets), AFC North (Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Steelers), AFC South (Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans), and AFC West (Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers).
What does AFC stand for in American football?
AFC stands for American Football Conference. It is one of two conferences in the NFL, created in 1970 when the AFL merged with the NFL. The AFC operates alongside the National Football Conference (NFC) and the two conference champions meet annually in the Super Bowl.
Which AFC team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots share the record for most Super Bowl wins among AFC teams with 6 each. The Kansas City Chiefs have 4 Super Bowl titles, while the Denver Broncos and Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders each have 3.
How many AFC teams qualify for the playoffs?
Seven AFC teams make the playoffs: the four division winners (one from AFC East, North, South, West) plus three wild card teams with the best records among non-division winners. The top seed in the AFC gets a bye in Wild Card Weekend.
How does the AFC champion reach the Super Bowl?
The AFC champion emerges after three rounds of playoffs: Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round, and the AFC Championship Game. The winner of the AFC Championship Game travels to the Super Bowl to face the NFC champion.