AFC West
In the autumn of 1960, four teams gathered to form a new league division. The Dallas Texans, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Oakland Raiders became the original members of the AFL Western Division. This group would eventually evolve into today's AFC West after the 1970 merger with the NFL. The division has remained largely intact since its inception, making it one of the oldest divisions in professional football history. Each team has played every other member twice annually for over six decades, creating a unique competitive environment.
The Los Angeles Chargers moved to San Diego in 1961 before returning to Los Angeles in 2017. The Oakland Raiders relocated to Los Angeles during the 1982 season, then returned to Oakland in 1995, and finally moved to Las Vegas in 2020. The Dallas Texans became the Kansas City Chiefs when they relocated to Missouri in 1963. These movements have shaped the division's identity across different eras. The Seattle Seahawks spent time in the AFC West from 1977 until 2001 before moving back to the NFC West. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined briefly in 1976 but departed after their inaugural season.
Teams from this division have appeared in the Super Bowl twenty-one times since Super Bowl I. The Kansas City Chiefs hold the record with four Super Bowl victories as of the conclusion of the 2023 season. The Denver Broncos have appeared in eight Super Bowls while the Chiefs have appeared seven times. The Raiders have made five appearances. Two teams won consecutive championships: the Broncos in 1997 and 1998, and the Chiefs in 2022 and 2023. The Chargers lost their only appearance in Super Bowl XXIX against the San Francisco 49ers.
The division has produced numerous playoff berths including wild card qualifications. In 2008, the San Diego Chargers reached the playoffs with an 8, 8 record despite being considered one of the league's weakest divisions that year. The Oakland Raiders swept all division opponents in 2010 going 6, 0 yet failed to qualify for the postseason. A loss by the Raiders in the final game of 2011 gave the Broncos a division title with just an 8, 8 record. These instances demonstrate how competitive balance can create unexpected outcomes within the same division.
All four current franchises share a history dating back to 1960 when they first competed together. This shared timeline creates what many consider one of the most heated rivalries in professional sports. Each team has played every other member twice annually for over sixty years. The Cincinnati Bengals joined briefly from 1968 to 1969 before moving to the AFC Central. The Seattle Seahawks were part of the division from 1977 until 2001. These extended periods of competition have forged deep-seated tensions between all members of the group.
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Common questions
When did the AFC West division begin and which teams were original members?
The AFC West began in the autumn of 1960 with four original teams: the Dallas Texans, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Oakland Raiders. This group evolved into today's AFC West after the 1970 merger with the NFL.
Where are the current home cities for all four active AFC West franchises as of 2023?
The Kansas City Chiefs play in Missouri following their 1963 relocation from Texas. The Denver Broncos remain in Colorado while the Las Vegas Raiders moved there in 2020 after previous relocations to Oakland and Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Chargers returned to California in 2017 after playing in San Diego since 1961.
Which team holds the record for most Super Bowl victories within the AFC West division history?
The Kansas City Chiefs hold the record with four Super Bowl victories as of the conclusion of the 2023 season. Two other teams won consecutive championships including the Broncos in 1997 and 1998 and the Chiefs in 2022 and 2023.
How many times have AFC West teams appeared in the Super Bowl since Super Bowl I?
Teams from this division have appeared in the Super Bowl twenty-one times since Super Bowl I. The Denver Broncos have appeared eight times, the Chiefs seven times, and the Raiders five times.
When did the Seattle Seahawks compete in the AFC West before moving to the NFC West?
The Seattle Seahawks spent time in the AFC West from 1977 until 2001 before moving back to the NFC West. They joined briefly alongside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who departed after their inaugural season in 1976.