Summary
The 2023 NFL is fast approaching. You must be all excited about the tournament. However, as there is still little time left, let us clear up some of your questions. And the first question you may have is how many conferences are in the NFL?
The NFL is divided into two conferences: the NFC and the AFC. The two conferences are not a new concept, though. They were formed in 1970 after the merger of the AFL and NFL. Each conference has its separate conference championship, four divisions, and 16 teams.
NFC: National Football Conference
The National Football Conference was formed in 1970. The conference has four divisions: East, West, North, and South. Each division consists of four teams.
Here are the current 16 teams in the NFC and their major championship wins:
| Division | Teams | NFC Championship | Super Bowl |
NFC East | Dallas Cowboys | 8 | 5 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 3 | 1 | |
| New York Giants | 5 | 4 | |
| Washington Redskins | 5 | 4 | |
NFC North | Green Bay Packers | 3 | 2 |
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 1 | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 0 | |
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 0 | |
NFC South | New Orleans Saints | 1 | 1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 2 | |
| Carolina Panthers | 2 | 0 | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 0 | |
NFC West | San Francisco 49ers | 7 | 5 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 1 | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 5 | 0 | |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 1 |
You can see from the list that the NFC East has the strongest teams. All the teams have multiple Super Bowl and NFC championships to their name.
The Dallas Cowboys stand as the most successful team in the NFC. They won both the conference championships and the Super Bowl six times. There are three teams who hold the record for most Super Bowls losses. They are
- Minnesota Vikings
- Los Angeles Rams
- Philadelphia Eagles
The Detroit Lions are the only team without any NFC championship or Super Bowl. They are yet to qualify for the Super Bowl yet.
AFC: American Football Conference
The AFC teams are based in various cities across the United States. They are known for their fierce competition and rich football history. Here are the four divisions of the AFC and their major trophy wins:
| Division | Teams | AFC Championship | Super Bowl |
AFC East | New England Patriots | 6 | 6 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 0 | |
| Miami Dolphins | 2 | 2 | |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | |
AFC North | Baltimore Ravens | 2 | 2 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 0 | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 6 | 6 | |
AFC South | Houston Texans | 0 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 0 | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 | 0 | |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 0 | |
AFC West | Denver Broncos | 3 | 3 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 2 | |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 3 | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 |
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are the most successful teams. They won six Super Bowls and six NFC Championships.
The Broncos and Raiders won three Super Bowls each. Multiple AFC teams are yet to win any Super Bowls or AFC championships.
FAQs
AFC vs. NFC: Who is better?
It is a tough decision to make. However, you can judge based on Super Bowls. Then the NFC has better records than the AFC. The NFC has 29 Super Bowls, while the AFC has 27. It is a close call, though.
Who has the strongest division in the NFC?
The NFC has the strongest division, Between the AFC and NFC. It is the NFC East that has 21 Super Bowls among its four teams. They are the most dominant division in the NFC.
How were the two conferences created?
The NFL and AFL were two different tournaments that merged in 1970. It gave birth to the AFC and NFC.
Is there any team that played in both the AFC and the NFC?
The Seattle Seahawks are the only team to play both in the AFC and NFC. They moved to the NFC West in 2002 from the AFC West.
Conclusion
The two conferences in the NFL have uniquely prestigious teams with histories. Two winners from each conference compete in the Super Bowl. It makes the event one of the most anticipated nights of the year. The two conferences make the Super Bowl the most anticipated night of the year. It is a great strategy by the NFL, indeed.
Read Also: What is the Wildcard Round in NFL?
