History of AFC North in Timeline

The AFC North is a division in the NFL consisting of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Established in 2002 following an NFL realignment that expanded the league to 32 teams, all four teams were previously members of the AFC Central Division. This restructuring aimed to balance the league's conferences and divisions with the addition of the Houston Texans as an expansion team.

1935: First time entire division finishes with a winning record

In 2023, it marked the first time since 1935 that each team within an entire division finished the regular season with a winning record.

1968: Bengals join AFL as expansion team

In 1968, the Cincinnati Bengals joined the American Football League (AFL) as an expansion team. The Bengals joining the AFL was contingent on them joining the NFL after the AFL-NFL merger.

1970: Three pre-merger NFL cities join AFC

In 1970, Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, pre-merger NFL cities, joined the AFC.

1970: Formation of the AFC Central Division

In 1970, the AFC Central division was formed when the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers brought their rivalry from the NFL Century Division to the AFC. They joined the Houston Oilers from the AFL's East Division and the Cincinnati Bengals from the AFL's West Division.

1970: Bengals win first AFC Central Division Championship

In 1970, the Cincinnati Bengals won the first AFC Central Division Championship.

1970: Steelers and Browns join AFC

In 1970, the Steelers and Browns joined the AFC.

1980: Browns break Steelers' division championship run

In 1980, the Cleveland Browns ended the Steelers' six-year run as division champions, but lost to the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round of the playoffs due to Red Right 88.

1981: Bengals appearance in Super Bowl XVI

In the 1981 season, the Cincinnati Bengals represented the AFC Central in Super Bowl XVI, but lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

1982: NFL Players' Strike

In 1982, a players' strike reduced the NFL regular season to nine games. The league implemented a special 16-team "Super Bowl Tournament" for the playoffs, and division standings were not formally acknowledged. Despite this, Cincinnati had the best record among the division teams.

1988: Bengals appearance in Super Bowl XXIII

In the 1988 season, the Cincinnati Bengals represented the AFC Central in Super Bowl XXIII, but lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

1990: Bengals first playoff win since 1990

In 2021, the Bengals beat the Raiders at home in the Wild Card matchup, marking their first playoff win since 1990.

1992: The Comeback

In 1992, the Oilers were involved in one of the most famous playoff games in NFL history. In a game now known as The Comeback, the Oilers surrendered a 32-point lead to the Buffalo Bills and lost in overtime, 41–38.

1992: Steelers return to dominance in the division

In 1992, the Pittsburgh Steelers regained their dominance in the division, winning five divisional titles in six years. They played in Super Bowl XXX, losing to the Dallas Cowboys.

1994: Browns first playoff win since 1994

In 2020, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Steelers marking their first playoff win since 1994.

1995: Jaguars Join AFC Central

In 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars joined the league through expansion and were placed in the AFC Central.

1995: Cleveland Browns relocation controversy

In the wake of the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy of 1995, the NFL guaranteed that the Bengals, Browns, and Steelers would remain in a division together in any circumstance.

1996: Franchise status of the Ravens

As of 2012, the Baltimore Ravens were not an official franchise until 1996.

1996: Browns move to Baltimore and become Ravens

In 1996, the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore and were renamed the Baltimore Ravens.

1997: Oilers move to Tennessee

In 1997, the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee but remained in the AFC Central division.

1999: Cleveland Browns reactivated

In 1999, the Cleveland Browns were reactivated in the NFL, making the AFC Central a six-team division.

2000: Titans win the AFC Central title

In 2000, the Tennessee Titans won the AFC Central title.

2001: Steelers win the AFC Central

In 2001, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC Central division.

2001: AFC Central had 6 teams

The AFC Central division had six teams between 1999 to 2001.

2002: Browns first playoff appearance since 2002

For the Browns, the 2020 playoff appearance was their first playoff appearance since 2002.

2002: NFL realigns into eight divisions

In 2002, the NFL realigned into eight divisions of four teams each, with the Jaguars and Titans moving to the new AFC South. The remaining teams in the AFC Central—Bengals, Browns, and Steelers—formed the AFC North.

2002: NFL Realignment

In 2002, the NFL realigned into eight divisions, each containing four teams. The realignment resulted in the formation of the AFC North, which comprised the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars were moved to the new AFC South.

2002: Steelers sweep divisional opponents

In 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers swept all divisional opponents, going 7 for 7 including a win against the Browns in the AFC Wildcard game.

2002: Steelers first repeat as division champion

The Steelers were the first team to repeat as division champion since the division's realignment in 2002.

2005: Steelers win Super Bowl as #6 seed

In 2005, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first team in NFL history to enter the playoffs as a #6 seeded wild card team and win the Super Bowl.

2005: Bengals last division title

In 2009, the Bengals clinched their first division title since 2005.

2008: Steelers sweep divisional opponents

In 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers swept all divisional opponents for the second time and defeated the Ravens in the AFC Championship.

2008: Steelers repeat as division champions and win Super Bowl XLIII

In 2008, the Steelers became the first team to repeat as division champion since the division's realignment in 2002. They went on to win Super Bowl XLIII that season, their second Super Bowl in four years and an NFL-record sixth overall.

2009: Bengals sweep divisional opponents

In 2009, the Cincinnati Bengals swept all three divisional opponents.

2009: Bengals sweep division and clinch title

In 2009, the Cincinnati Bengals swept their six-game divisional slate, earning the nickname "Cardiac Cats". They clinched their first division title since 2005 with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, they lost to the New York Jets in the playoffs.

2011: Ravens repeat as division champions

In 2011, the Baltimore Ravens repeated as division champions.

2011: Ravens sweep divisional opponents

In 2011, the Baltimore Ravens swept all three divisional opponents.

2012: Ravens repeat as division champions

In 2012, the Baltimore Ravens repeated as division champions.

February 3, 2013: Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII

On February 3, 2013, the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII over the San Francisco 49ers.

2015: Bengals start 8-0 and win division

In 2015, the Cincinnati Bengals started the year 8-0, finishing the season 12-4 and winning the division. Andy Dalton broke his thumb, and the Bengals lost to the Steelers in the playoffs.

2016: Steelers win division title

In 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the division title after defeating the Baltimore Ravens. They lost to New England in the AFC Championship Game.

2017: Bengals-Steelers Monday Night Football game marked by injuries and penalties

In 2017, a Week 13 Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers was marked by serious injuries to Shazier, Mixon and Burfict, as well as suspensions to JuJu Smith-Schuster and George Iloka. The Bengals clocked up 13 penalties for 173 yards.

2019: Ravens clinch division

In 2019, the Baltimore Ravens clinched the division in Week 15 with a win over the New York Jets. However, they were upset by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the playoffs.

2020: Steelers win division, Ravens and Browns make playoffs

In 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the division title. The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns also made it into the playoffs as wildcards. The Browns defeated the Steelers for their first playoff win since 1994, and the Ravens beat the Titans. Both teams lost in the Divisional Round.

2021: Bengals win division, make Super Bowl LVI

In 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals won the division. The Steelers were given a last-minute playoff invite. The Bengals made it to Super Bowl LVI but lost to the Rams.

2022: Bengals Season Impacted by Cancelled Game

In 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals officially played 16 games due to the Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills being declared a no-contest and later cancelled. Despite this, the cancellation had no bearing on the winner of the Division, as the Bengals had two more wins than the second-placed Ravens.

2022: Bengals win division for the second consecutive time

In 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals won the AFC North for the second consecutive year, clinching their playoff spot.

January 2, 2023: Bills-Bengals game suspended after Damar Hamlin collapse

On January 2, 2023, the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals was suspended after Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed. The game was later cancelled.

January 15, 2023: Bengals defeat Ravens in Super Wild Card Weekend

On January 15, 2023, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Baltimore Ravens 24-17 in the Super Wild Card Weekend.

2023: Ravens win division; all AFC North teams finish with winning records

In 2023, the Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North and secured the #1 seed in the AFC. All four teams in the AFC North finished the regular season with winning records.