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What is the difference between NFC and AFC?

The National Football League (NFL) consists of 32 teams, divided equally into the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). Find out here what is the difference between NFC and AFC.

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Last updated: 18.05.2022
What is the difference between NFC and AFC

Pro football dates back to the 1890s, when local athletic clubs played fierce rivalries. The popularity of the game grew, particularly in Ohio and the Midwest, with teams fielding players such as the legendary Jim Thorpe. On August 20, 1920, The American Professional Football Association was formed in Canton, Ohio with Thorpe named as it`s first president. In 1992, the name was changed to the National Football League. It had 22 teams that season, including George Halas` Chicago Bears and Curly Lambeau`s Green Bay Packers. The NFL began gaining national attention in the mid 1920s when its teams signed all-American college players.

The National Football League (NFL) was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). It took on it`s current name in 1922. The National Football League (NFL) consists of 32 teams, divided equally into the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). The NFL was officially formed in 1920, but the first Super Bowl took place until 40 years. In 1960.  The 32 teams in the NFL are divided into 2 conferences; the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) in 4 divisions (north, south, east and west). The season is divided into Regular Season and Playoffs and typically runs from September through the first Sunday of February, the Super Bowl date, or the title finale. From the 2021 season forward, each team plays 17 games and has one week off (called Bye Week) during the Regular Season to determine the top 14 (7 teams per conference)  that will go to the Playoffs. A direct knockout tournament that culminating in the Super Bowl. In the Playoffs, you can only meet from your own conference teams, which means the Super Bowl will always be played by an AFC representative and an NFC representative.


The 32 teams of the NFL are divided into 2 conferences, the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) in turn composed of 4 divisions. In 1970 the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) merged forming two conferences; the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The Colts were placed in a five-team group with the Jets, Boston Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins . The Browns and Steelers were grouped in a division with the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Oilers. The Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos will comprise the other four-team sector. The Colts, the Jets, Boston Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, The Browns, Steelers, The Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Oilers., The Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos were transferred to the American Football Conference (AFC).  The 13 remaining NFL clubs including the Giants were transferred to the National Football Conference (NFC). 


Each American Football Conference (AFC) will play a home and home series with each other team in it`s division. It will play five games against clubs from the other divisions and three against National Football Conference (NFC).  Each American Football Conference (AFC) will play six games against teams from it`s own sector; five against rivals from the other American Football Conference (AFC) divisions and three against the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFC North division currently has four members: the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The NFC South division currently has four members: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. The NFC East division currently has four members: The Philadelphia Eagles, The New York Giants, The Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins. The NFC West division currently has four members: The San Francisco 49ers, The Los Angeles Rams, The Seattle Seahawks, and The Arizona Cardinals.


The AFC West division currently has four members: Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, The Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders. The AFC North division currently has four members: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. The AFC South division currently has four members: Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. The AFC East division currently has four members: the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins.

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