History of AFC West in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 27, 2026

The AFC West is a division in the NFL comprising the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers. These four teams compete annually for the division title and a spot in the NFL playoffs. The Chiefs have been the dominant team in recent years, led by their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

1960: AFL Championships

AFL Championships won prior to Super Bowl I (1960–1965)

1960: AFC West creation date

Along with the AFC (formerly AFL) East, the AFC West is the oldest NFL division in terms of creation date in 1960.

1960: Formation of the American Football League's Western Division

In 1960, the division was originally established as the Western Division of the American Football League (AFL).

1960: Original AFL West teams established

In 1960, the original four members of the AFL West were established: the Dallas Texans (later the Kansas City Chiefs), Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers (later San Diego Chargers), and Oakland Raiders. These teams have remained in the division since its inception.

1961: Los Angeles Chargers move to San Diego

In 1961, the Los Angeles Chargers relocated to San Diego.

1963: Dallas Texans move to Kansas City

In 1963, the Dallas Texans relocated to Kansas City and became the Chiefs.

1965: AFL Championships

AFL Championships won prior to Super Bowl I (1960–1965)

1966: AFC and AFL Championships

AFC Championships and AFL Championships won between 1966 and 1969

1967: Combined Super Bowl championships and AFL Championships

Combined Super Bowl championships and AFL Championships won prior to Super Bowl I in 1967

1969: AFC and AFL Championships

AFC Championships and AFL Championships won between 1966 and 1969

1969: Interdivisional game

In 1969, the Western Division's 2nd place team played the Eastern Division's 1st place team in an Interdivisional game.

1970: AFL West becomes AFC West

In 1970, as part of the NFL's merger and realignment into two conferences and six divisions, the AFL West transitioned into the AFC West, largely maintaining its original composition.

1970: Bengals move to AFC Central

In 1970, the Cincinnati Bengals, who had played in the AFL West for the last two AFL seasons, moved to the AFC Central (now AFC North), forming rivalries with the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

1976: Buccaneers join the AFC West

In 1976, the expansion team Tampa Bay Buccaneers played as a member of the AFC West in their first year.

1977: Seahawks move back to NFC West, Buccaneers move to NFC Central

In 1977, after spending their expansion season in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks were added to the AFC West. Also in 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who played in the AFC West in 1976, were aligned into the NFC Central.

1982: Players' strike

In 1982, a players' strike reduced the regular season to nine games, leading the league to use a special 16-team playoff tournament. Division standings were ignored; the Los Angeles Raiders had the best record of the division teams.

1982: Oakland Raiders move to Los Angeles

In 1982, the Oakland Raiders relocated to Los Angeles.

1985: AFC Central division deemed weakest in NFL

In 1985, the AFC Central was considered the NFL's weakest division.

1995: Los Angeles Raiders move back to Oakland

In 1995, the Los Angeles Raiders moved back to Oakland.

1997: Broncos win Super Bowl

In 1997, the Denver Broncos won a Super Bowl, starting a run of back-to-back Super Bowl victories for the team.

1998: Broncos win Super Bowl

In 1998, the Denver Broncos secured another Super Bowl victory, continuing their streak of consecutive Super Bowl wins.

2002: Oakland wins division title

In 2002, Oakland won the AFC West division title.

2002: Seahawks move back to NFC West

In 2002, the Seattle Seahawks moved back to the NFC West after a period in the AFC West.

2003: Kansas City wins division title

In 2003, Kansas City won the AFC West division title.

2004: San Diego wins division title

In 2004, San Diego won the AFC West division title.

2005: Denver wins division title

In 2005, Denver won the AFC West division title.

2008: AFC West division deemed weakest in NFL

In 2008, the AFC West was considered the NFL's weakest division since the AFC Central in 1985, with the San Diego Chargers winning the division with an 8-8 record while the New England Patriots missed the playoffs at 11-5.

2010: Raiders sweep the division but miss playoffs

In 2010, the Raiders achieved a 6-0 record against their divisional opponents, sweeping the entire AFC West. However, they failed to qualify for the playoffs due to a poor record against non-divisional opponents.

2010: Seahawks win NFC West with 7-9 record

In 2010, the Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West division with a 7-9 record.

2011: Broncos win division with 8-8 record

In 2011, the Denver Broncos won the AFC West title with an 8-8 record after a loss by the Raiders in the last game of the season.

2014: Panthers win NFC South with 7-8-1 record

In 2014, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South division with a 7-8-1 record.

2017: San Diego Chargers move back to Los Angeles

In 2017, the San Diego Chargers moved back to Los Angeles, reverting to their original city.

2020: Oakland Raiders move to Las Vegas

In 2020, the Oakland Raiders relocated to Las Vegas.

2020: Washington Football Team wins NFC East with 7-9 record

In 2020, the Washington Football Team won the NFC East division with a 7-9 record.

2022: Chiefs win Super Bowl

In 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs won a Super Bowl, starting a run of back-to-back Super Bowl victories for the team.

2022: Buccaneers win NFC South with 8-9 record

In 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South with an 8-9 record.

2023: Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls

In 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl, marking their fourth Super Bowl victory overall. This win contributes to the AFC West's total of ten Super Bowl wins.