AFC East
Oldest NFL division, home to two perfect regular seasons.
The AFC East is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). It currently comprises the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets. All four current members were previously part of the Eastern Division of the American Football League (AFL), which was formed in 1960. The division has been represented in 22 Super Bowls and has won 11 of them. Both perfect regular seasons in professional football since the adoption of a 14-game schedule have been achieved by teams in this division: the 1972 Dolphins (17–0) and the 2007 Patriots (18–1, losing Super Bowl XLII).
Quick Facts
- Title
- AFC East
- Sport
- American football
- League
- National Football League
- Conference
- American Football Conference
- Founded
- 1960 (as the American Football League Eastern Division)
- Teams
- 4
- Champion
- New England Patriots (23rd title)
- Champ Season
- 2025
- Most Titles
- New England Patriots (23 titles)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The AFC East originated as the AFL Eastern Division in 1960, with the Buffalo Bills, Boston Patriots, New York Titans, and Houston Oilers. The Miami Dolphins joined in 1966. After the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the division was absorbed nearly intact, but Houston moved to the AFC Central and was replaced by the Baltimore Colts. The Colts remained in the division after relocating to Indianapolis in 1984 until the 2002 re-alignment moved them to the AFC South. The division's teams have deep historical rivalries dating from the AFL era. None of the current AFC East teams play within the central city of their metropolitan area: the Bills play in Orchard Park, New York; the Jets play in East Rutherford, New Jersey; the Dolphins play in Miami Gardens, Florida; and the Patriots play in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Reader's Guide
The AFC East is significant as the oldest NFL division by creation date (1960, along with the AFC West). It has produced two of the most famous regular seasons in professional football history: the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 16–0 2007 New England Patriots. The division has been represented in 22 Super Bowls, winning 11. The New England Patriots have dominated the division in the modern era, winning 11 consecutive division titles from 2009 through 2019 and holding a record 23 AFL/AFC East titles overall. The Buffalo Bills have won 15 division titles, the Miami Dolphins 13, and the New York Jets 4. Former members the Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans) won four division titles, and the Baltimore–Indianapolis Colts won six. The division's teams have won a combined 26 AFL or AFC championships. All four current teams are based in the Eastern Time Zone. ESPN's Chris Berman has called the division the 'AFC Adams' due to its geographical similarity to the old NHL Adams Division.
Did You Know?
- The New England Patriots have won the most AFL/AFC East titles, with 23.
- The Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans) won four division titles while in the AFL Eastern Division.
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