AFC East
Encyclopedia
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League
's American Football Conference
. There are four members: Buffalo Bills
, Miami Dolphins
, New England Patriots
(representing Boston
, formerly known as the Boston Patriots through 1970), and New York Jets
(formerly nicknamed the Titans through 1962). All are former members of the American Football League
(AFL), three of which are charter members of the AFL (the Dolphins were an AFL expansion team added in 1966).
The division was formed in 1960 as the AFL Eastern Division. The Bills, Patriots, and (New York) Titans were joined by the Houston Oilers
in the original alignment, with the Dolphins joining in 1966. The division was absorbed nearly intact with the AFL-NFL Merger
in 1970, but Houston was moved to the AFC Central (formerly the NFL Century Division, now the AFC North
) and replaced by the closer Baltimore Colts
(from the NFL Coastal Division
, which became the NFC West
). Despite relocating to Indianapolis, Indiana
in 1984, the Colts
continued to play in the AFC East until NFL expansion from 31 to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans and 2002 re-alignment when they were moved to the AFC South
(the successor franchise to the Oilers, the Tennessee Titans, is also in the AFC South).
Although Miami
is farther south
than the home cities of the other three teams, all of which are in the Northeast
, all four AFC East teams have historical rivalries among them, dating from their years in the AFL during the 1960s.
None of the AFC East teams currently plays within the central city of their metropolitan area:
All of the teams are or were coached by a 1st or second generation member of the Bill Parcells
Coaching Tree: the Patriots have Bill Belichick
; the Dolphins have Tony Sparano
; the Jets had Eric Mangini
(who served as an assistant with both Belichick and Parcells); and the Bills had Dick Jauron
(fired on November 17, 2009), who served as an assistant with former Parcells assistant Tom Coughlin. The Jets are now coached by Rex Ryan
and the Bills are now coached by Chan Gailey
.
Parcells himself coached the Patriots (1993–6) and the Jets (1997–9) and was Vice President of Football Operations for the Dolphins until summer, 2010.
ESPN
's Chris Berman often calls this division the "AFC Adams" due to its geographical similarity to the old Adams Division
of the NHL
, now known as the Northeast Division
.
Along with the AFC (formerly AFL) West, the AFC East is the oldest NFL division in terms of creation date (1960).
Four of the teams above are enfranchised in the American Football League's Eastern Division.
1963–65
New York Titans renamed New York Jets.
1966–69
Miami Dolphins enfranchised.
1970
Due to the AFL-NFL Merger
, the AFL Eastern Division becomes AFC East. Baltimore Colts moved in from the Coastal Division (renamed NFC West). Houston moved to AFC Central.
1971–83
Boston moved to Foxborough as New England Patriots.
1984–2001
Baltimore moved to Indianapolis.
2002–present
Indianapolis moved to the AFC South division.
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Season !! Team !! Record !! Playoff Results
|-
| 1960 || Houston Oilers
|| 10–4–0 || Won AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1961 || Houston Oilers
|| 10–3–1 || Won AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1962 || Houston Oilers
|| 11–3–0 || Lost AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1963! || Boston Patriots || 7–6–1 || Lost AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1964 || Buffalo Bills
|| 12–2–0 || Won AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1965 || Buffalo Bills
|| 10–3–1 || Won AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1966 || Buffalo Bills
|| 9–4–1 || Lost AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1967 || Houston Oilers
|| 9–4–1 || Lost AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1968 || New York Jets
|| 11–3–0 || Won Super Bowl III
|-
| 1969 || New York Jets
|| 10–4–0 || Lost Inter-Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1970 || Baltimore Colts
|| 11–2–1 || Won Super Bowl V
|-
| 1971 || Miami Dolphins
|| 10–3–1 || Lost Super Bowl VI
|-
| 1972 || Miami Dolphins
|| 14–0–0 || Won Super Bowl VII
|-
| 1973 || Miami Dolphins
|| 12–2–0 || Won Super Bowl VIII
|-
| 1974 || Miami Dolphins
|| 11–3–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1975 || Baltimore Colts
|| 10–4–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1976 || Baltimore Colts
|| 11–3–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1977 || Baltimore Colts
|| 10–4–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1978 || New England Patriots
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1979 || Miami Dolphins
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1980 || Buffalo Bills
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1981 || Miami Dolphins
|| 11–4–1 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1982+ || Miami Dolphins
|| 7–2–0 || Lost Super Bowl XVII
|-
| 1983 || Miami Dolphins
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1984 || Miami Dolphins
|| 14–2–0 || Lost Super Bowl XIX
|-
| 1985 || Miami Dolphins
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
|-
| 1986 || New England Patriots
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1987 || Indianapolis Colts
|| 9–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1988 || Buffalo Bills
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
|-
| 1989 || Buffalo Bills
|| 9–7–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1990 || Buffalo Bills
|| 13–3–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXV
|-
| 1991 || Buffalo Bills
|| 13–3–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXVI
|-
| 1992 || Miami Dolphins
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
|-
| 1993 || Buffalo Bills
|| 12–4–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXVIII
|-
| 1994 || Miami Dolphins
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1995 || Buffalo Bills
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1996 || New England Patriots
|| 11–5–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXXI
|-
| 1997 || New England Patriots
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 1998 || New York Jets
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
|-
| 1999 || Indianapolis Colts
|| 13–3–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 2000 || Miami Dolphins
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 2001 || New England Patriots
|| 11–5–0 || Won Super Bowl XXXVI
|-
| 2002 || New York Jets
|| 9–7–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 2003 || New England Patriots
|| 14–2–0 || Won Super Bowl XXXVIII
|-
| 2004 || New England Patriots
|| 14–2–0 || Won Super Bowl XXXIX
|-
| 2005 || New England Patriots
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
|-
| 2006 || New England Patriots
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
|-
| 2007 || New England Patriots
|| 16–0–0 || Lost Super Bowl XLII
|-
| 2008 || Miami Dolphins
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs
|-
| 2009 || New England Patriots
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs
|-
| 2010 || New England Patriots
|| 14–2–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
* – A players' strike in 1982 reduced the regular season to nine games. Thus, the league used a special 16-team playoff tournament just for this year. Division standings were ignored.
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Team !! Division Championships !! Playoff Berths || Super Bowl
championships
|-
| Miami Dolphins
|| 14 || 22 || 2
|-
| New England Patriots
|| 12 || 16 || 3
|-
| Buffalo Bills
|| 111 || 18 || 0
|-
| Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts
2 || 6 || 10 || 23
|-
| New York Jets
|| 4 || 13 || 1
|-
| Houston Oilers
4 || 4 || 5 || 0
|-
|}
1 The Bills tied the Patriots for their 1963 regular season division title, but lost the ensuing playoff game.
2 Known as the Baltimore Colts before 1984. Realigned into the AFC South
beginning with the 2002 NFL season
.
3 Won Super Bowl V
as member of AFC East.
4 Realigned into the AFC Central
in 1970, and into the AFC South in 2002. Known as Tennessee Oilers from 1997–98, and Tennessee Titans since 1999.
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's American Football Conference
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
. There are four members: Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
(representing Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, formerly known as the Boston Patriots through 1970), and New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(formerly nicknamed the Titans through 1962). All are former members of the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
(AFL), three of which are charter members of the AFL (the Dolphins were an AFL expansion team added in 1966).
The division was formed in 1960 as the AFL Eastern Division. The Bills, Patriots, and (New York) Titans were joined by the Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
in the original alignment, with the Dolphins joining in 1966. The division was absorbed nearly intact with the AFL-NFL Merger
AFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
in 1970, but Houston was moved to the AFC Central (formerly the NFL Century Division, now the AFC North
AFC North
The American Football Conference North Division, or AFC North, is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. It was created prior to the 1967 season as the NFL Century Division when the NFL split into four divisions...
) and replaced by the closer Baltimore Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
(from the NFL Coastal Division
National Football League Coastal Division
The NFL Coastal Division was one of the four divisions of the National Football League that was created prior to the 1967 season when the league realigned its existing Eastern and Western Conferences...
, which became the NFC West
NFC West
The NFC West is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: Arizona Cardinals, St...
). Despite relocating to Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
in 1984, the Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
continued to play in the AFC East until NFL expansion from 31 to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans and 2002 re-alignment when they were moved to the AFC South
AFC South
The AFC South is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. It was created before the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams...
(the successor franchise to the Oilers, the Tennessee Titans, is also in the AFC South).
Although Miami
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
is farther south
South
South is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.South is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to east and west.By convention, the bottom side of a map is south....
than the home cities of the other three teams, all of which are in the Northeast
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
, all four AFC East teams have historical rivalries among them, dating from their years in the AFL during the 1960s.
None of the AFC East teams currently plays within the central city of their metropolitan area:
- The Bills play 7 games in Orchard Park, New YorkOrchard Park (town), New YorkOrchard Park is a town in Erie County, New York, a suburb southeast of Buffalo, New York. According to the 2010 census, the population is 29,054. This represents an increase of 5.13% from the 2000 census figure. The town contains a village also named Orchard Park. Orchard Park is one of the...
and 1 in Toronto, Ontario (they played in the cityCityA city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
of Buffalo from 1960–72). - The Jets play in East Rutherford, New JerseyEast Rutherford, New JerseyEast Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....
(they played in the New York City boroughBorough (New York City)New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is composed of five boroughs. Each borough now has the same boundaries as the county it is in. County governments were dissolved when the city consolidated in 1898, along with all city, town, and village governments within each county...
of ManhattanManhattanManhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
from 1960–63, and in the borough of QueensQueensQueens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
from 1964–83) - The Dolphins play in Miami Gardens, FloridaMiami Gardens, FloridaMiami Gardens is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name comes from one of the major roadways through the area, Miami Gardens Drive. According to the 2010 U.S...
, a suburb of Miami (they played in the city Miami from 1966–86) - The Patriots play in FoxboroughFoxborough, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,246 people, 6,141 households, and 4,396 families residing in the town. The population density was 809.1 people per square mile . There were 6,299 housing units at an average density of 313.7 per square mile...
a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts (they played in Boston proper from 1960–70)
All of the teams are or were coached by a 1st or second generation member of the Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
Coaching Tree: the Patriots have Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
; the Dolphins have Tony Sparano
Tony Sparano
Anthony "Tony" Sparano III is an American Football head coach of the Miami Dolphins. At age 17, Sparano had an incident which burnt his eyes, which is why he always wears his signature sunglasses even at night...
; the Jets had Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
(who served as an assistant with both Belichick and Parcells); and the Bills had Dick Jauron
Dick Jauron
Richard Manuel Jauron is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was the head coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2006 until November 2009. Jauron has previously held head coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and, on an interim basis, with the...
(fired on November 17, 2009), who served as an assistant with former Parcells assistant Tom Coughlin. The Jets are now coached by Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is an American football head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League . After serving as an assistant coach for twenty-two years, Ryan attained his first head coaching job in the NFL with the Jets in 2009...
and the Bills are now coached by Chan Gailey
Chan Gailey
Thomas Chandler "Chan" Gailey, Jr. is an American professional and college football coach. Gailey is the current head coach of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League ; he was formerly the head coach of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets college football...
.
Parcells himself coached the Patriots (1993–6) and the Jets (1997–9) and was Vice President of Football Operations for the Dolphins until summer, 2010.
ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Chris Berman often calls this division the "AFC Adams" due to its geographical similarity to the old Adams Division
Adams Division
The NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins...
of the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, now known as the Northeast Division
Northeast Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Adams Division...
.
Along with the AFC (formerly AFL) West, the AFC East is the oldest NFL division in terms of creation date (1960).
Division lineups
1960–62- Boston Patriots
- Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Houston OilersTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
- New York Titans
Four of the teams above are enfranchised in the American Football League's Eastern Division.
1963–65
- Boston Patriots
- Buffalo Bills
- Houston Oilers
- New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
New York Titans renamed New York Jets.
1966–69
- Boston Patriots
- Buffalo Bills
- Houston Oilers
- Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
- New York Jets
Miami Dolphins enfranchised.
1970
- Baltimore Colts
- Boston Patriots
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Jets
Due to the AFL-NFL Merger
AFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
, the AFL Eastern Division becomes AFC East. Baltimore Colts moved in from the Coastal Division (renamed NFC West). Houston moved to AFC Central.
1971–83
- Baltimore Colts
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
- New York Jets
Boston moved to Foxborough as New England Patriots.
1984–2001
- Buffalo Bills
- Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
- Miami Dolphins
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
Baltimore moved to Indianapolis.
2002–present
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
Indianapolis moved to the AFC South division.
Division champions
{| class="wikitable"|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Season !! Team !! Record !! Playoff Results
|-
| 1960 || Houston Oilers
1960 Houston Oilers season
Houston Oilers 24, Los Angeles Chargers 16Scoring*LA – Field goal Agajanian 38 LA 3–0*LA – Field goal Agajanian 22 LA 6–0*HOU – Smith 17 pass from Blanda HOU 7–6*HOU – Field goal Blanda 18 HOU 10–6*LA – Field goal Agajanian 27 HOU 10–9...
|| 10–4–0 || Won AFL Championship Game
1960 American Football League Championship Game
The 1960 American Football League Championship Game was the first AFL title game. The game was played on New Year's Day 1961 at Jeppesen Stadium in Houston, Texas.-Background:...
|-
| 1961 || Houston Oilers
1961 Houston Oilers season
Houston Oilers 10, San Diego Chargers 3Scoring*HOU – Field goal Blanda 46*HOU – Cannon 35 pass from Blanda *SD – Field goal Blair 12-References:* *...
|| 10–3–1 || Won AFL Championship Game
1961 American Football League Championship Game
The 1961 American Football League Championship Game was a repeat the first AFL title game, between the Houston Oilers and the San Diego Chargers...
|-
| 1962 || Houston Oilers
1962 Houston Oilers season
Dallas Texans 20, Houston Oilers 17 Scoring*DAL – Field goal Brooker 16*DAL – Haynes 28 pass from Dawson *DAL – Haynes 2 run *HOU – Dewveall 15 pass from Blanda *HOU – Field goal Blanda 31...
|| 11–3–0 || Lost AFL Championship Game
1962 American Football League Championship Game
The 1962 American Football League Championship Game was played at Jeppesen Stadium in Houston, Texas on December 23, 1962.-Background:The day saw the Eastern Division's 11-3 Houston Oilers in the title game for their third straight year, against the West's Dallas Texans, also at 11-3...
|-
| 1963! || Boston Patriots || 7–6–1 || Lost AFL Championship Game
AFL playoffs, 1963
*Eastern Division playoff*:Boston Patriots 26, Buffalo Bills 8, December 28, 1963, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York*AFL Championship Game*:San Diego Chargers 51, Boston Patriots 10, January 5, 1964, Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California-1963 Championship:...
|-
| 1964 || Buffalo Bills
1964 Buffalo Bills season
Buffalo Bills 20, San Diego Chargers 7-References:**...
|| 12–2–0 || Won AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1965 || Buffalo Bills
1965 Buffalo Bills season
Buffalo Bills 23, San Diego Chargers 0Scoring*BUF – Warlick 18 pass from Kemp *BUF – Byrd 74 punt return *BUF – Field goal Gogolak 11*BUF – Field goal Gogolak 39*BUF – Field goal Gogolak 32-AFL All-Star Game:...
|| 10–3–1 || Won AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1966 || Buffalo Bills
1966 Buffalo Bills season
Kansas City Chiefs 31, Buffalo Bills 7The Bills went into the 1966 AFL Championship having already won the game the previous two years. Though the game was to be played in Buffalo, the visiting Kansas City Chiefs were three-point favorites, mainly because of their explosive and innovative offense...
|| 9–4–1 || Lost AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1967 || Houston Oilers
1967 Houston Oilers season
The 1967 Houston Oilers season was their eighth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 3–11, winning nine games. They qualified for the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.-Season schedule:-Playoffs:-Division standings:...
|| 9–4–1 || Lost AFL Championship Game
|-
| 1968 || New York Jets
1968 New York Jets season
The 1968 New York Jets season was the ninth season for the team in the American Football League . The team had the most successful season in franchise history. Trying to improve upon their 8–5–1 record in 1967, they won the AFL Eastern Division with an 11–3 record...
|| 11–3–0 || Won Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
|-
| 1969 || New York Jets
1969 New York Jets season
The 1969 New York Jets season was the tenth season for the team in the final season of the American Football League . Trying to defend their AFL championship and Super Bowl III title, they won the AFL Eastern Division again with a 10–4 record...
|| 10–4–0 || Lost Inter-Divisional Playoffs
AFL playoffs, 1969
-Playoffs:-Divisional playoffs:Kansas City Chiefs 13, New York Jets 6|referee= Jack ReaderScoring*NY - Field goal Turner 27*KC - Field goal Stenerud 23*KC - Field goal Stenerud 25*NY - Field goal Turner 7...
|-
| 1970 || Baltimore Colts
1970 Baltimore Colts season
The 1970 Baltimore Colts season was the 18th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1970 season with a record of 11 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. They won the AFC East...
|| 11–2–1 || Won Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V was an American football game played on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1970 regular season...
|-
| 1971 || Miami Dolphins
1971 Miami Dolphins season
-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Playoffs:- Standings : -Roster:-Scoring summary:*Dallas Mike Clark, FG 14 yds *Dallas L.Alworth, 9 yd pass from Staubach *Miami Yeprmeniam, FG 23 yds...
|| 10–3–1 || Lost Super Bowl VI
Super Bowl VI
Super Bowl VI was an American football game played on January 16, 1972, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1971 regular season...
|-
| 1972 || Miami Dolphins
1972 Miami Dolphins season
The 1972 Miami Dolphins are the only National Football League team to win the Super Bowl with a perfect season. The undefeated campaign was led by coach Don Shula and notable players Bob Griese, Earl Morrall, and Larry Csonka...
|| 14–0–0 || Won Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII was an American football game played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1972 regular season...
|-
| 1973 || Miami Dolphins
1973 Miami Dolphins season
-Awards and honors:* Larry Csonka, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player* Larry Csonka, Pro Bowl Selection* Bob Griese, Pro Bowl Selection-Notes and references:**...
|| 12–2–0 || Won Super Bowl VIII
Super Bowl VIII
Super Bowl VIII was a professional American football game played on January 13, 1974 at Rice Stadium. in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 1973 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Miami Dolphins defeated the National Football...
|-
| 1974 || Miami Dolphins
1974 Miami Dolphins season
-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-AFC: Oakland Raiders 28, Miami Dolphins 26:-Notes and references:**...
|| 11–3–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1974-75
The NFL playoffs following the 1974 NFL season led up to Super Bowl IX. This was the last season in which the sites for the playoff games annually alternated by division.-Bracket:-AFC: Oakland Raiders 28, Miami Dolphins 26:...
|-
| 1975 || Baltimore Colts
1975 Baltimore Colts season
The 1975 Baltimore Colts season was the 23rd season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1975 season with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses, and finished tied for first in the AFC East division with the Miami Dolphins...
|| 10–4–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1975-76
The NFL playoffs following the 1975 NFL season led up to Super Bowl X. This was the first season in which the league used a seeding system in the playoffs. Thus, the surviving clubs with the higher seeds were made the home teams for each playoff round...
|-
| 1976 || Baltimore Colts
1976 Baltimore Colts season
The 1976 Baltimore Colts season was the 24th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1976 season with a record of 11 wins and 3 losses, and finished tied for first in the AFC East division with the New England Patriots...
|| 11–3–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1976-77
The NFL playoffs following the 1976 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XI.-Bracket:-AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21:The Patriots scored first after an 86-yard drive was capped by running back Andy Johnson's 1-yard touchdown run...
|-
| 1977 || Baltimore Colts
1977 Baltimore Colts season
The 1977 Baltimore Colts season was the 25th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1977 season with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses, and finished tied for first in the AFC East division with the Miami Dolphins. However, the...
|| 10–4–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1977-78
The NFL playoffs following the 1977 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XII.Due to Christmas, the Divisional playoff games were held in a span of three days. The AFC playoff games were played on December 24 while the NFC games were held on December 26...
|-
| 1978 || New England Patriots
1978 New England Patriots season
The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1978 season with a record of eleven wins and five losses, and finished tied for first in the AFC East division.-Staff:-Regular season:...
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1978-79
The NFL playoffs following the 1978 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XIII.This was the first year that the playoffs expanded to a ten-team format, adding a second wild card team from each conference...
|-
| 1979 || Miami Dolphins
1979 Miami Dolphins season
The 1979 Miami Dolphins season was the 14th year of existence for the Miami Dolphins franchise. Although they finished at 10–6, one win fewer than the previous year, they were still able to win the AFC East Division outright...
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1979-80
The NFL playoffs following the 1979 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XIV.Note: As per the rules of the NFL playoffs prior to the 1990 season , the Dallas Cowboys did not play the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.-AFC: Houston Oilers 13,...
|-
| 1980 || Buffalo Bills
1964 Buffalo Bills season
Buffalo Bills 20, San Diego Chargers 7-References:**...
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1980-81
The NFL playoffs following the 1980 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XV.Note: As per the rules of the NFL playoffs prior to the 1990 season , the San Diego Chargers did not play the Oakland Raiders in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.-AFC: Oakland Raiders 27,...
|-
| 1981 || Miami Dolphins
1981 Miami Dolphins season
-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Playoffs:- Standings :-Notes and references:**...
|| 11–4–1 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1981-82
The NFL playoffs following the 1981 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XVI. Both conference champions had losing records the previous season, the only time this has happened. All four of the AFC playoff games were between teams who had never faced each other in the postseason before...
|-
| 1982+ || Miami Dolphins
1982 Miami Dolphins season
-NFL Draft:-Regular season:The Dolphins finished the strike-shortened regular season with a 7–2 record, ranking them second in the AFC.The Dolphins' main strength was their defense, nicknamed the "Killer Bees" because 6 of their 11 starters had last names that began with the letter "B"...
|| 7–2–0 || Lost Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII was an American football game played on January 30, 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the strike-shortened 1982 regular season...
|-
| 1983 || Miami Dolphins
1983 Miami Dolphins season
The 1983 season was the 17th season in football for the Miami Dolphins and they sought to return to the Super Bowl after losing to the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII...
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1983-84
The NFL playoffs following the 1983 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XVIII.Due to Christmas, the two wild card playoff games were played in a span of three days....
|-
| 1984 || Miami Dolphins
1984 Miami Dolphins season
1984 was the 18th season in football for the Miami Dolphins and the fifteenth for coach Don Shula with the club. The Dolphins sought to build on a spectacular 1983 season where they went 12–4 with rookie quarterback Dan Marino only to be upended by the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs...
|| 14–2–0 || Lost Super Bowl XIX
Super Bowl XIX
Super Bowl XIX was an American football game played on January 20, 1985 at Stanford Stadium, on the campus of Stanford University in Stanford, California, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1984 regular season...
|-
| 1985 || Miami Dolphins
1985 Miami Dolphins season
The 1985 Miami Dolphins season was the 20th season in franchise history. The club won their fourth consecutive AFC East championship and appeared in the AFC Championship Game.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Monday Night game vs...
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
NFL playoffs, 1985-86
The NFL playoffs following the 1985 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XX.Because the Jets and Giants both used Giants Stadium as their home field, the two wild card playoff games were held on different days.-AFC: New England Patriots 26, New York Jets 14:...
|-
| 1986 || New England Patriots
1986 New England Patriots season
The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1986 season with a record of eleven wins and five losses, and finished first in the AFC East division.-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:...
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1986-87
The NFL playoffs following the 1986 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXI.Note: As per the rules of the NFL playoffs prior to the 1990 season , the New York Giants did not play the Washington Redskins in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.-AFC: New York Jets...
|-
| 1987 || Indianapolis Colts
1987 Indianapolis Colts season
The 1987 Indianapolis Colts season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League and 4th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the strike-shortened National Football League's 1987 season with a record of 9 wins and 6 losses, and won the AFC East division...
|| 9–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1987-88
The NFL playoffs following the 1987 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXII.-NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10:In the Saints' first playoff game in history, the Vikings dominated the game by recording 2 sacks, forcing 4 turnovers, and allowing only 149 yards...
|-
| 1988 || Buffalo Bills
1988 Buffalo Bills season
The 1988 Buffalo Bills season was the 29th season for the team and the 19th season in the National Football League. The Buffalo Bills finished in first place in the AFC East and finished the National Football League's 1988 season with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses. The Bills were 8–0 at home for...
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
NFL playoffs, 1988-89
The NFL playoffs following the 1988 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXIII.Due to Christmas, the two wild card playoff games were held in a span of three days....
|-
| 1989 || Buffalo Bills
1989 Buffalo Bills season
The 1989 Buffalo Bills season was the 30th season for the team and the 20th season in the National Football League. The Bills finished in first place in the AFC East and finished the National Football League's 1989 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses....
|| 9–7–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1989-90
The NFL playoffs following the 1989 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXIV.This was the last season in which the NFL used a 10-team playoff format. The league would expand the playoffs to 12 teams next season....
|-
| 1990 || Buffalo Bills
1990 Buffalo Bills season
The 1990 Buffalo Bills season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League. The Buffalo Bills finished the National Football League's 1990 season with a record of 13 wins and 3 losses, and finished first in the AFC East division. The Bills were 8–0 at home for the second time in...
|| 13–3–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV was an American football game played on January 27, 1991 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1990 regular season. The National Football Conference Champion New York Giants defeated the American Football Conference ...
|-
| 1991 || Buffalo Bills
1991 Buffalo Bills season
The 1991 Buffalo Bills season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Football League. The Buffalo Bills finished the National Football League's 1991 season with a record of 13 wins and 3 losses, and finished first in the AFC East division...
|| 13–3–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI was an American football game played on January 26, 1992 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota to decide the National Football League champion following the 1991 regular season...
|-
| 1992 || Miami Dolphins
1992 Miami Dolphins season
-Schedule:-AFC Divisional Playoff:As the Dolphins defense shut out the Chargers, holding San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries to just 18 of 44 completions for 140 yards and intercepting him four times. Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino threw 3 touchdown passes in the second quarter...
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
NFL playoffs, 1992-93
The NFL playoffs following the 1992 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXVII.-Bracket:-NFC: Washington Redskins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7:Running back Brian Mitchell led the Redskins to the 24-7 victory with 109 rushing yards and 100 total yards on receptions and punt returns...
|-
| 1993 || Buffalo Bills
1993 Buffalo Bills season
The 1993 Buffalo Bills season was the 34th season for the Buffalo, New York team in the National Football League. The Buffalo Bills finished the National Football League's 1993 season with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses, and finished first in the AFC East division. The Bills qualified for their...
|| 12–4–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXVIII
Super Bowl XXVIII
Super Bowl XXVIII was an American football game played on January 30, 1994, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1993 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Dallas Cowboys defeated the American Football...
|-
| 1994 || Miami Dolphins
1994 Miami Dolphins season
The 1994 season was the 29th in Dolphins history. On March 23, the NFL approved the transfer of majority interest in the club from the Robbie family to Wayne Huizenga.-Staff:-Schedule:-Notable Games:* September 4 vs. New England Patriots:...
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1994-95
The NFL playoffs following the 1994 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXIX.-Bracket:-NFC: Green Bay Packers 16, Detroit Lions 12:The Packers defense held Lions running back Barry Sanders to -1 rushing yards, while holding Detroit to 12 points and -4 yards on the ground. Green Bay scored first when...
|-
| 1995 || Buffalo Bills
1995 Buffalo Bills season
The 1995 Buffalo Bills season was the 36th season for the club and its 26th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-AFC Wild Card Game:...
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1995-96
The NFL playoffs following the 1995 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXX.-Bracket:-AFC: Buffalo Bills 37, Miami Dolphins 22:Although Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino completed 33 out of 64 passes for 422 yards, the Bills jumped to a 27-0 lead going into the fourth quarter, and rushed for an NFL...
|-
| 1996 || New England Patriots
1996 New England Patriots season
The New England Patriots participated in the National Football League's 1996 season, the team's 37th in football. The Patriots finished with a record of eleven wins and five losses, and finished first in the AFC East division...
|| 11–5–0 || Lost Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...
|-
| 1997 || New England Patriots
1997 New England Patriots season
The 1997 New England Patriots season was the 28th season for the team in the National Football League and 38th season overall. They finished the season with a 10–6 record and a division title but lost in the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Steelers....
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1997-98
The NFL playoffs following the 1997 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXII.-Bracket:-NFC: Minnesota Vikings 23, New York Giants 22:The Vikings scored 10 points in the final 90 seconds of the game to stun the Giants.-AFC: Denver Broncos 42, Jacksonville Jaguars 17:Denver ran over the Jaguars with...
|-
| 1998 || New York Jets
1998 New York Jets season
The 1998 New York Jets season was the 39th season for the team and the 29th in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 1997 and finished 12–4 in their second season under head coach Bill Parcells, winning their first division title since the AFL-NFL merger...
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
NFL playoffs, 1998-99
The NFL playoffs following the 1998 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIII.-Bracket:* Indicates overtime victory-AFC: Miami Dolphins 24, Buffalo Bills 17:...
|-
| 1999 || Indianapolis Colts
1999 Indianapolis Colts season
The 1999 Indianapolis Colts season was the 47th season for the team in the National Football League and 16th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1999 season with a record of 13 wins and 3 losses, and won the AFC East...
|| 13–3–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 1999-2000
The NFL playoffs following the 1999 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIV.These playoffs were notable in that all outdoor games were played with gametime temperatures of 50°F or higher, making for one of the warmest playoff seasons of all time...
|-
| 2000 || Miami Dolphins
2000 Miami Dolphins season
The 2000 season was the 33rd in franchise history. Dave Wannstedt was named the fourth head coach in franchise history on January 16, 2000.-NFL Draft:-Preseason:-Schedule:-Standings:-Playoffs:-Awards and honors:...
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 2000-01
The NFL playoffs following the 2000 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXV.This would be the last time that playoff games would be played at the accustomed times of 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST...
|-
| 2001 || New England Patriots
2001 New England Patriots season
The 2001 New England Patriots season was the 32nd season for the team in the National Football League and 42nd season overall. They finished with an 11–5 record and a division title before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXVI....
|| 11–5–0 || Won Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
|-
| 2002 || New York Jets
2002 New York Jets season
The 2002 New York Jets season was the 43rd season for the team, and the 33rd in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 10–6 record from 2001...
|| 9–7–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 2002-03
The 2002-03 NFL playoffs followed the 2002 NFL season and concluded with Super Bowl XXXVII.Prior to the 2002-03 season, the league realigned its teams into eight divisions . Thus, the 12-team playoff format was modified...
|-
| 2003 || New England Patriots
2003 New England Patriots season
The 2003 New England Patriots season was the 34th season for the team in the National Football League and 44th season overall. They finished with a league-best 14–2 record before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXVIII....
|| 14–2–0 || Won Super Bowl XXXVIII
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Super Bowl XXXVIII was an American football game played on February 1, 2004 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 2003 regular season....
|-
| 2004 || New England Patriots
2004 New England Patriots season
The 2004 New England Patriots season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League and 45th season overall. They finished with their second straight 14–2 record before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXIX, their third Super Bowl victory in four years.Following a Super Bowl...
|| 14–2–0 || Won Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
|-
| 2005 || New England Patriots
2005 New England Patriots season
The 2005 New England Patriots season was the 36th season for the team in the National Football League and 46th season overall. They finished with a 10–6 record and the division title before losing in the playoffs to the Denver Broncos....
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
NFL playoffs, 2005-06
The National Football League playoffs for the 2005 season began on January 7, 2006 and led up to Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan....
|-
| 2006 || New England Patriots
2006 New England Patriots season
The 2006 New England Patriots season was the 37th season for the team in the National Football League and 47th season overall. They finished with a 12–4 record and a division title before losing to the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs....
|| 12–4–0 || Lost AFC Championship Game
NFL playoffs, 2006-07
The National Football League playoffs for the 2006 season began on January 6, 2007 and led up to Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.-AFC: Indianapolis Colts 23, Kansas City Chiefs 8:...
|-
| 2007 || New England Patriots
2007 New England Patriots season
The 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall. They finished with a perfect 16–0 regular season record but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII....
|| 16–0–0 || Lost Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
|-
| 2008 || Miami Dolphins
2008 Miami Dolphins season
The 2008 Miami Dolphins season was the organization's 39th season in the National Football League and 43rd overall. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008...
|| 11–5–0 || Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs
|-
| 2009 || New England Patriots
2009 New England Patriots season
The 2009 New England Patriots season was the 40th season for the team in the National Football League and 50th season overall. They finished with a 10–6 record and a division title before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs....
|| 10–6–0 || Lost AFC Wild Card Playoffs
|-
| 2010 || New England Patriots
2010 New England Patriots season
The 2010 New England Patriots season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League and 51st season overall. The Patriots improved on their 10–6 record from 2009 by finishing with a league-best 14–2 record and clinching the top seed in the AFC, before losing to the New York Jets...
|| 14–2–0 || Lost AFC Divisional Playoffs
- ! – The Patriots and Bills each finished with identical 7–6–1 records in the regular season. The Patriots would win the ensuing playoff game for the right to represent the East in the AFL Championship Game.
- + – A players' strike in 1982 reduced the regular season to nine games. Thus, the league used a special 16-team playoff tournament just for this year. Division standings were ignored, Miami had the best record of the division teams.
Wild Card qualifiers
- Since 1969
- 1969 – Houston Oilers1969 Houston Oilers seasonThe 1969 Houston Oilers season was their tenth and final in the American Football League before moving to the National Football League when the two merged. The team equaled their 1968 record of 7–7 , finishing 6–6–2. They qualified for the playoffs, but lost in the Divisional Round to the Oakland...
- 1970 – Miami Dolphins1970 Miami Dolphins season-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-Roster:- Playoffs :-Notes and references:**...
- 1971 – Baltimore Colts1971 Baltimore Colts seasonThe 1971 Baltimore Colts season was the 19th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1971 season with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses, and finished second in the AFC East.- Schedule :...
- 1972 – None
- 1973 – None
- 1974 – Buffalo Bills1974 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1974 Buffalo Bills season was the 15th season for the club in pro football and fifth in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-Playoffs:-External Links:**-References:* * *...
- 1975 – None
- 1976 – New England Patriots1976 New England Patriots seasonThe 1976 New England Patriots season was the seventh season for the team in the National Football League and 17th season overall. After a nine-year stretch in which they posted just one .500 season amid eight losing years, the Patriots turned around their fortunes, going 11–3 and rushing for 2,957...
- 1977 – None
- 1978 – Miami Dolphins1978 Miami Dolphins season-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-Roster:-AFC Wildcard Playoff : vs. Houston Oilers:-Notes and references:**...
- 1979 – None
- 1980 – None
- 1981 – Buffalo Bills1981 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1981 Buffalo Bills season was the 22nd season for the club and its 12th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-Playoffs:-AFC Wild Card:...
, New York Jets1981 New York Jets seasonThe 1981 New York Jets season was the 22nd season for the team and the 12th in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 4–12 record from 1980 under head coach Walt Michaels... - 1982 – *
- 1983 – None
- 1984 – None
- 1985 – New England Patriots1985 New England Patriots seasonThe 1985 New England Patriots season was the 16th season for the team in the National Football League and 26th season overall. The Patriots had a record of eleven wins and five losses, and finished tied for second in the AFC East division. They lost in Super Bowl XX to the Chicago Bears...
, New York Jets1985 New York Jets seasonThe 1985 New York Jets season was the 26th season for the team and the 16th in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 7–9 record from 1984 under head coach Joe Walton. Among quarterbacks, Ken O'Brien had the lowest rate of interceptions. He had 8... - 1986 – New York Jets1986 New York Jets season-Regular season:-Postseason:-Standings:-External links:*...
- 1987 – None
- 1988 – None
- 1989 – None
- 1990 – Miami Dolphins1990 Miami Dolphins season-Offseason:-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Passing:-Receiving:-Defense:-AFC Wildcard Game:With 2:28 left in the game, the Dolphins capped an 85-yard drive with quarterback Dan Marino's winning 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Clayton....
- 1991 – New York Jets1991 New York Jets season-Schedule:-Playoffs:-External links:*...
- 1992 – Buffalo Bills1992 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1992 Buffalo Bills season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League. The Buffalo Bills finished the National Football League's 1992 season with a record of 11 wins and 5 losses, and finished second in the AFC East division...
- 1993 – None
- 1994 – New England Patriots1994 New England Patriots seasonThe New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1994 season with a record of ten wins and six losses, and finished tied for first in the AFC East division....
- 1995 – Indianapolis Colts1995 Indianapolis Colts seasonThe 1995 Indianapolis Colts season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Football League and 12th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1995 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses, and finished tied for second in the AFC East division with...
, Miami Dolphins1995 Miami Dolphins season-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-AFC Wild Card Game:Although Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino completed 33 out of 64 passes for 422 yards, the Bills jumped to a 27–0 lead going into the fourth quarter, and rushed for an NFL playoff record 341 yards.... - 1996 – Buffalo Bills1996 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1996 Buffalo Bills season was their 37th in the league. The team matched their previous season's output of 10–6. They qualified for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Playoffs:-References:...
, Indianapolis Colts1996 Indianapolis Colts seasonThe 1996 Indianapolis Colts season was the 44th season for the team in the National Football League and 13th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 1996 season with a record of 9 wins and 7 losses, and finished third in the AFC East division.On October 13,... - 1997 – Miami Dolphins1997 Miami Dolphins seasonThe 1997 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 32nd as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins improved upon their previous season's output of 8–8, winning nine games. Seven of the team's sixteen games were decided by a field goal or less....
- 1998 – Buffalo Bills1998 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1998 Buffalo Bills season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League. The season marked an important development in the Bills history as a quarterback controversy would consume the whole season between Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie. It would also mark the beginning of the...
, Miami Dolphins1998 Miami Dolphins seasonThe 1998 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 33rd as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins improved upon their previous season's output of 9–7, winning ten games. The team qualified for the playoffs for the second straight year.-Schedule:...
, New England Patriots1998 New England Patriots seasonThe 1998 New England Patriots season was the 29th season for the team in the National Football League and 39th season overall. They finished with a 9–7 record, good for fourth place in the division but also a playoff berth; they lost in the first round to the Jacksonville Jaguars.In the offseason,... - 1999 – Buffalo Bills1999 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1999 Buffalo Bills season was the 40th season for the team in the National Football League. It would be the final season that long time Bills members Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas were on the same team together. All three were released at the end of the season due to salary cap...
, Miami Dolphins1999 Miami Dolphins seasonThe 1999 Miami Dolphins season was the 34th year of existence for the Miami Dolphins franchise. The year saw the team struggling with the end of Dan Marino's career... - 2000 – Indianapolis Colts2000 Indianapolis Colts seasonThe 2000 Indianapolis Colts season was the 48th season for the team in the National Football League and 17th in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts finished the National Football League's 2000 season with a record of 10 wins and 6 losses, and finished second in the AFC East...
- 2001 – Miami Dolphins2001 Miami Dolphins season-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-References:...
, New York Jets2001 New York Jets seasonThe 2001 New York Jets season was the 42nd season for the team, and the 32nd in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 2000. Under new head coach Herman Edwards, the team finished 10–6 and qualified for the final Wild Card position in the American Football... - 2002 – None
- 2003 – None
- 2004 – New York Jets2004 New York Jets seasonThe 2004 New York Jets season saw the team try to improve on its 6–10 2003 record. The Jets started the season by winning their first five games, which was a franchise record. They ultimately finished 10–6, and clinched the fifth seed in the playoffs, reaching the postseason for the third time in...
- 2005 – None
- 2006 – New York Jets2006 New York Jets seasonThe 2006 New York Jets season began with the team trying to improve on their 4–12 record in 2005. The season marked the first for rookie head coach Eric Mangini, who replaced Herman Edwards after the latter left the Jets to coach the Kansas City Chiefs...
- 2007 – None
- 2008 – None
- 2009 – New York Jets2009 New York Jets seasonThe 2009 New York Jets season was the 50th season for the club and the 40th season in the National Football League and the last season at Giants Stadium. While they did not improve their 9–7 record from 2008, this time the team headed to the playoffs. The Jets fired head coach Eric Mangini on...
- 2010 – New York Jets2010 New York Jets seasonThe 2010 New York Jets season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League, the 51st season overall and the team's first season at New Meadowlands Stadium. The team improved on their 9–7 record from 2009 and reached the playoffs again. The Jets played their first pre-season game...
- 1969 – Houston Oilers
See Also
- Bills-Dolphins rivalry
- Dolphins-Jets rivalryDolphins-Jets rivalryThe Miami Dolphins-New York Jets rivalry is a rivalry between two franchises in the National Football League. The teams both play in the American Football Conference East Division, and play two scheduled games each season as a result. They have often competed for divisional supremacy, and have...
- Jets-Patriots rivalry
- Colts-Patriots rivalry
Total playoff berths
{| class="wikitable"|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Team !! Division Championships !! Playoff Berths || Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
championships
|-
| Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
|| 14 || 22 || 2
|-
| New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
|| 12 || 16 || 3
|-
| Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
|| 111 || 18 || 0
|-
| Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
2 || 6 || 10 || 23
|-
| New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
|| 4 || 13 || 1
|-
| Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
4 || 4 || 5 || 0
|-
|}
1 The Bills tied the Patriots for their 1963 regular season division title, but lost the ensuing playoff game.
2 Known as the Baltimore Colts before 1984. Realigned into the AFC South
AFC South
The AFC South is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. It was created before the 2002 season when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams...
beginning with the 2002 NFL season
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
.
3 Won Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V was an American football game played on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1970 regular season...
as member of AFC East.
4 Realigned into the AFC Central
AFC North
The American Football Conference North Division, or AFC North, is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. It was created prior to the 1967 season as the NFL Century Division when the NFL split into four divisions...
in 1970, and into the AFC South in 2002. Known as Tennessee Oilers from 1997–98, and Tennessee Titans since 1999.