Which NFL Franchises Have Had Division Title Runs?
By Arabia Tillery
July 1, 2024 | 10:45 AM ET
(Washington, DC) - The AFC East certainly has an intriguing history, and the dynamics are shifting as teams continue to develop and evolve. The dominance of the Patriots over the past two decades is unparalleled, but the recent success of the Bills has reignited excitement in the division. Their four consecutive titles from 2020 onwards show they are a formidable force in the AFC East.
The Dolphins, with their storied past, haven't quite been able to replicate the consistency of their glory days, while the Jets have struggled to find their footing since the early 2000s. However, every season brings new opportunities, and with talented rosters and coaching changes, there's potential for surprises.
Fans of the division can look forward to competitive matchups, especially with the Bills aiming to maintain their streak and other teams like the Dolphins and Jets eager to re-establish themselves. The narrative in the AFC East could change rapidly, making it a division to watch closely as the league progresses.
5+ consecutive division titles have happened a few times. Let’s go division by division and see which teams have had this streak:
- In the NFC East the cowboys won 5 in a row in the early 90s
- In the NFC North the Vikings won 6 in a row in the 70s, and the Bears won 5 in a row in the 80s
- In the NFC West the Rams won 7 in a row in the 70s, and the 49ers won 5 in a row in the 80s and 1990 BUT, the 49ers won 13 division titles in a 16 year period which, although isn’t consecutive, is still worth noting.
- In the AFC West, the Raiders won 5 in a row in the 70s, the Broncos won 5 in a row from 2011 to 2015 and the Chiefs have the longest active streak in the NFL with 8 straight division titles. 9th title loading?
- In the AFC North the Steelers won 6 in a row in the 70s
- In the AFC South the Colts won 5 in a row in the early 2000s
- The only division to never have 5 consecutive division wins is the NFC South. Closest they’ve gotten is the Saints winning 4 in a row from 2017 to 2020. The Bucs have won the last 3 in a row so, will they tie the division record of 4?
Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen
It's fascinating to observe the historical patterns of dominance in the NFL, particularly when comparing franchises like the Buccaneers, Chiefs, Steelers, and Vikings. The Buccaneers aiming to tie the division record of 4 is certainly noteworthy, and it adds an exciting dynamic to the current season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs' pursuit of a ninth title speaks volumes about their consistent performance and ability to build upon past successes.
The Steelers and Vikings sharing similar division title runs in the 1970s makes for an intriguing juxtaposition. Pittsburgh’s remarkable achievement of winning four Super Bowls during their six-year dominance highlights their legacy as one of the greatest teams in NFL history. In contrast, the Vikings, despite their strong performances in that era, experienced the heartbreak of losing all four of their Super Bowl appearances, reminding fans of the challenging nature of postseason success.
As the current season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these narratives develop and whether any teams can etch their names in the history books with new records and achievements.
