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AFC West

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AFC West
NameAFC West
ConferenceAmerican Football Conference
LeagueNational Football League
Founded1970
ChampionKansas City Chiefs (2023)
Most champsDenver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs (15 each)

AFC West. The AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Established during the NFL–AFL merger in 1970, it has featured some of the league's most iconic franchises and intense rivalries. The division's teams are currently the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers.

History

The division was created as part of the 1970 NFL season realignment following the merger between the National Football League and the American Football League (AFL). Original members included the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers, all of which were former AFL clubs. The division has seen significant franchise relocations, with the Raiders moving to Los Angeles in 1982, back to Oakland in 1995, and to Las Vegas in 2020, while the Chargers relocated from San Diego to Los Angeles in 2017. Key figures in its history include Al Davis, the longtime owner of the Raiders, and Lamar Hunt, founder of the Chiefs and a central figure in the AFL–NFL merger.

Teams

The division comprises four franchises, each with a rich history. The Denver Broncos, based in Denver, play their home games at Empower Field at Mile High and are owned by the Walton-Penner family. The Kansas City Chiefs, based in Kansas City, Missouri, play at Arrowhead Stadium and are owned by the Hunt family. The Las Vegas Raiders, owned by Mark Davis, play their home games at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The Los Angeles Chargers, owned by Dean Spanos, share SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California with the Los Angeles Rams. Notable coaches across the division have included Don Shula, John Madden, and Andy Reid.

Season-by-season results

Since 1970, the division champion has been determined by the best regular-season record, with ties broken by procedures outlined in the NFL playoffs rules. The Kansas City Chiefs have won the division title for eight consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2023, a streak highlighted by the arrival of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Historically, the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders dominated the 1970s and 1980s, with the Broncos appearing in multiple Super Bowl games under quarterback John Elway. The San Diego Chargers also had strong periods in the early 2000s led by quarterback Philip Rivers. Complete records are maintained by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and publications like Pro Football Reference.

Championships

Teams from the AFC West have combined to win numerous championships. The division claims eight Super Bowl victories: the Kansas City Chiefs have won four (Super Bowl IV, Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, Super Bowl LVIII), the Denver Broncos have won three (Super Bowl XXXII, Super Bowl XXXIII, Super Bowl 50), and the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders have won one (Super Bowl XI). The Los Angeles Chargers won the AFL Championship in 1963 prior to the merger. The division has also produced many AFC Championship Game winners who advanced to the Super Bowl, including the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

Rivalries

The AFC West is known for its deep-seated and historic rivalries, often considered among the most bitter in the NFL. The primary rivalry is between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, a feud dating to the American Football League era and intensified by games like the 1971 AFC Divisional playoff game. The Denver Broncos also share fierce rivalries with both the Raiders and the Chiefs, with notable games including the 1998 AFC Championship Game. The Los Angeles Chargers have competitive series with all division foes, particularly the Raiders, stemming from their shared history in California. These rivalries are frequently featured in prime-time slots on NBC Sunday Night Football and ESPN Monday Night Football.

Current standings

As of the conclusion of the 2023 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs finished as division champions. The final standings placed the Chiefs first, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs, led by coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, advanced to and won Super Bowl LVIII. The standings are determined by win-loss records, with tiebreakers governed by the NFL standings rules. Annual updates are published by the National Football League and covered by media outlets such as NFL Network, CBS Sports, and Fox Sports.

Category:American Football Conference divisions Category:National Football League divisions