History of NFC East in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 14, 2025

The NFC East is a division in the NFL's National Football Conference comprising four teams: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders. These teams compete annually for the division title and a guaranteed spot in the NFL playoffs. The NFC East is known for its intense rivalries and historical significance within the NFL. Its teams have won numerous Super Bowls, making it one of the most competitive and followed divisions in the league. The Cowboys and Giants are among the most valuable sports franchises in the world.

1967: Division Formed as NFL Capitol Division

In 1967, the division was formed as the National Football League Capitol Division.

1967: Original Teams in the NFL Capitol Division

In 1967, the teams in the NFL Capitol Division were Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington and the expansion team New Orleans Saints.

1968: Giants and Saints Division Swap

In 1968, the New York Giants swapped divisions with the New Orleans Saints for the season.

1969: Teams in the NFL Capitol Division

In 1969, the teams in the NFL Capitol Division were Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington and the expansion team New Orleans Saints.

1970: Merger and Return of Giants to NFC East

In 1970, following the AFL-NFL merger, the New York Giants permanently returned to the rebranded NFC East after contentious negotiations.

1970: Division Renamed NFC East

In 1970, the National Football League Capitol Division acquired its current name, NFC East, following the AFL-NFL merger.

1970: NFC East Merger

In 1970, with the AFL-NFL merger, Dallas and St. Louis remained part of the NFC East, despite being geographically west of most teams in the conference.

1976: Buccaneers Join Central Division

In 1976, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the Central Division as an expansion team, located east of Dallas and St. Louis.

1986: NFC East Super Bowl Success

From 1986-87 to 1995-96, NFC East teams dominated the Super Bowl, with the Giants, Washington, and Cowboys winning seven out of ten Super Bowls.

1988: Cardinals Relocate to Phoenix

In 1988, the Cardinals relocated to Phoenix to start the season, remaining in the East division.

1995: NFC East Super Bowl Success

From 1986-87 to 1995-96, NFC East teams dominated the Super Bowl, with the Giants, Washington, and Cowboys winning seven out of ten Super Bowls.

1995: Rams Relocate and Panthers Join NFL

In 1995, the Rams relocated from Los Angeles to St. Louis and stayed in the West, while the Carolina Panthers joined the West as an expansion team.

1998: Cowboys Division Sweep

In 1998, the Dallas Cowboys completed a division sweep of the NFC East with an 8-0 record.

2001: Cardinals Remain in NFC East

In 2001, the Cardinals stayed in the East through the season; that made them located west of every team in the NFC except for the Rams and 49ers.

2001: Eagles Win Consecutive Titles

In 2001, the Philadelphia Eagles began a streak of winning four consecutive division titles.

2002: Realignment and playoff births

After the 2002 realignment the NFC East was the first division to send 3 teams to the playoffs.

2002: Realignment

In 2002, Dallas and St. Louis remained part of the NFC East until the realignment.

2004: Eagles Division Sweep

In 2004, the Philadelphia Eagles completed a division sweep of the NFC East with a 6-0 record.

2004: Eagles End Streak of Consecutive Titles

In 2004, the Philadelphia Eagles concluded a streak of winning four consecutive division titles, marking the last time a team in the NFC East repeated as division champion.

2006: Three NFC East Teams in Playoffs

In 2006, the NFC East became the first division since the 2002 realignment to send three teams to the playoffs, with Philadelphia winning the division and Dallas and New York securing Wild Card spots.

2020: Washington Wins Division with Losing Record

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

2021: Cowboys Division Sweep

In 2021, the Dallas Cowboys completed a division sweep of the NFC East with a 6-0 record.

2024: NFC East Franchise Values

As of 2024, all four teams in the NFC East division were in the top ten of most valuable NFL franchises, with the Cowboys ranked #1, Giants #2, Commanders #7, and Eagles #9.