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NFL History

From Canton
to the Modern Game

Over a century of gridiron greatness — the franchises, dynasties, and legends that built the most popular sport in America.

The Three Eras of Professional Football

1

The Founding (1920–1969)

From the American Professional Football Association to the AFL-NFL merger, the league was forged by legendary franchises and iconic players.

  • ▸1920 — APFA founded in Canton, Ohio
  • ▸1932 — First NFL Championship Game
  • ▸1958 — 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' — Colts vs Giants
  • ▸1960 — AFL rival league launches
  • ▸1966 — AFL-NFL merger announced; first Super Bowl played (Jan 1967)
  • ▸1969 — Joe Namath guarantees Jets win in Super Bowl III
2

The Super Bowl Era (1970–1999)

The merger created the modern NFL. Dynasties rose in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Dallas, and Denver as the game became America's pastime.

  • ▸1970 — AFL-NFL merger finalized; AFC and NFC created
  • ▸1972 — Miami Dolphins complete the only undefeated season (17-0)
  • ▸1970s — Steelers win 4 Super Bowls behind the Steel Curtain defense
  • ▸1980s — 49ers dynasty led by Joe Montana and Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense
  • ▸1985 — Bears' 46 Defense dominates; Chicago shuffles to Super Bowl XX
  • ▸1990s — Cowboys win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years; Broncos win back-to-back
  • ▸1999 — League expands to 32 teams with return of Cleveland Browns
3

The Modern Era (2000–2025)

The salary cap, replay, and the passing explosion reshaped the game. Brady's Patriots dynasty defined two decades.

  • ▸2001 — Tom Brady's first start; Patriots begin dynasty
  • ▸2007 — Patriots go 16-0 in regular season before Super Bowl XLII upset loss
  • ▸2010s — Seahawks' Legion of Boom; Broncos' record-setting offense
  • ▸2015 — Deflategate; Roger Goodell era controversies
  • ▸2017 — Eagles win first Super Bowl with 'Philly Special'
  • ▸2020s — Chiefs dynasty: Mahomes wins 3 Super Bowl MVPs
  • ▸2025 — NFL expands internationally; record global viewership

Dynasties

Green Bay Packers1960s
5

Lombardi's legacy — 5 titles in 7 years including first two Super Bowls

Pittsburgh Steelers1970s
4

The Steel Curtain — 4 Super Bowls in 6 seasons behind Bradshaw & defense

San Francisco 49ers1980s
4

Montana to Rice — Bill Walsh's West Coast dynasty

Dallas Cowboys1990s
3

America's Team — Aikman, Emmitt, Irvin Triplets

New England Patriots2000s–2010s
6

Brady & Belichick — greatest dynasty in NFL history

Kansas City Chiefs2020s
3

Mahomes era — back-to-back Super Bowl wins (2023-24)

Super Bowl Winners — Complete History

YearGameWinnerOpponentScore
1967IGreen Bay PackersKansas City Chiefs35–10
1968IIGreen Bay PackersOakland Raiders33–14
1969IIINew York JetsBaltimore Colts16–7
1970IVKansas City ChiefsMinnesota Vikings23–7
1971VBaltimore ColtsDallas Cowboys16–13
1972VIDallas CowboysMiami Dolphins24–3
1973VIIMiami DolphinsWashington Redskins14–7
1974VIIIMiami DolphinsMinnesota Vikings24–7
1975IXPittsburgh SteelersMinnesota Vikings16–6
1976XPittsburgh SteelersDallas Cowboys21–17
1977XIOakland RaidersMinnesota Vikings32–14
1978XIIDallas CowboysDenver Broncos27–10
1979XIIIPittsburgh SteelersDallas Cowboys35–31
1980XIVPittsburgh SteelersLos Angeles Rams31–19
1981XVOakland RaidersPhiladelphia Eagles27–10
1982XVISan Francisco 49ersCincinnati Bengals26–21
1983XVIIWashington RedskinsMiami Dolphins27–17
1984XVIIILos Angeles RaidersWashington Redskins38–9
1985XIXSan Francisco 49ersMiami Dolphins38–16
1986XXChicago BearsNew England Patriots46–10
1987XXINew York GiantsDenver Broncos39–20
1988XXIIWashington RedskinsDenver Broncos42–10
1989XXIIISan Francisco 49ersCincinnati Bengals20–16
1990XXIVSan Francisco 49ersDenver Broncos55–10
1991XXVNew York GiantsBuffalo Bills20–19
1992XXVIWashington RedskinsBuffalo Bills37–24
1993XXVIIDallas CowboysBuffalo Bills52–17
1994XXVIIIDallas CowboysBuffalo Bills30–13
1995XXIXSan Francisco 49ersSan Diego Chargers49–26
1996XXXDallas CowboysPittsburgh Steelers27–17
1997XXXIGreen Bay PackersNew England Patriots35–21
1998XXXIIDenver BroncosGreen Bay Packers31–24
1999XXXIIIDenver BroncosAtlanta Falcons34–19
2000XXXIVSt. Louis RamsTennessee Titans23–16
2001XXXVBaltimore RavensNew York Giants34–7
2002XXXVINew England PatriotsSt. Louis Rams20–17
2003XXXVIITampa Bay BuccaneersOakland Raiders48–21
2004XXXVIIINew England PatriotsCarolina Panthers32–29
2005XXXIXNew England PatriotsPhiladelphia Eagles24–21
2006XLPittsburgh SteelersSeattle Seahawks21–10
2007XLIIndianapolis ColtsChicago Bears29–17
2008XLIINew York GiantsNew England Patriots17–14
2009XLIIIPittsburgh SteelersArizona Cardinals27–23
2010XLIVNew Orleans SaintsIndianapolis Colts31–17
2011XLVGreen Bay PackersPittsburgh Steelers31–25
2012XLVINew York GiantsNew England Patriots21–17
2013XLVIIBaltimore RavensSan Francisco 49ers34–31
2014XLVIIISeattle SeahawksDenver Broncos43–8
2015XLIXNew England PatriotsSeattle Seahawks28–24
201650Denver BroncosCarolina Panthers24–10
2017LINew England PatriotsAtlanta Falcons34–28 (OT)
2018LIIPhiladelphia EaglesNew England Patriots41–33
2019LIIINew England PatriotsLos Angeles Rams13–3
2020LIVKansas City ChiefsSan Francisco 49ers31–20
2021LVTampa Bay BuccaneersKansas City Chiefs31–9
2022LVILos Angeles RamsCincinnati Bengals23–20
2023LVIIKansas City ChiefsPhiladelphia Eagles38–35
2024LVIIIKansas City ChiefsSan Francisco 49ers25–22 (OT)
2025LIXPhiladelphia EaglesKansas City Chiefs40–22
2026LXSeattle SeahawksNew England Patriots29–13

AP NFL MVP Winners (1957–2025)

YearMVPPositionTeam
2025Matthew StaffordQBLos Angeles Rams
2024Josh AllenQBBuffalo Bills
2023Lamar JacksonQBBaltimore Ravens
2022Patrick MahomesQBKansas City Chiefs
2021Aaron RodgersQBGreen Bay Packers
2020Aaron RodgersQBGreen Bay Packers
2019Lamar JacksonQBBaltimore Ravens
2018Patrick MahomesQBKansas City Chiefs
2017Tom BradyQBNew England Patriots
2016Matt RyanQBAtlanta Falcons
2015Cam NewtonQBCarolina Panthers
2014Aaron RodgersQBGreen Bay Packers
2013Peyton ManningQBDenver Broncos
2012Adrian PetersonRBMinnesota Vikings
2011Aaron RodgersQBGreen Bay Packers
2010Tom BradyQBNew England Patriots
2009Peyton ManningQBIndianapolis Colts
2008Peyton ManningQBIndianapolis Colts
2007Tom BradyQBNew England Patriots
2006LaDainian TomlinsonRBSan Diego Chargers
2005Shaun AlexanderRBSeattle Seahawks
2004Peyton ManningQBIndianapolis Colts
2003Peyton ManningQBIndianapolis Colts (Co-MVP)
2003Steve McNairQBTennessee Titans (Co-MVP)
2002Rich GannonQBOakland Raiders
2001Kurt WarnerQBSt. Louis Rams
2000Marshall FaulkRBSt. Louis Rams
1999Kurt WarnerQBSt. Louis Rams
1998Terrell DavisRBDenver Broncos
1997Brett FavreQBGreen Bay Packers (Co-MVP)
1997Barry SandersRBDetroit Lions (Co-MVP)
1996Brett FavreQBGreen Bay Packers
1995Brett FavreQBGreen Bay Packers
1994Steve YoungQBSan Francisco 49ers
1993Emmitt SmithRBDallas Cowboys
1992Steve YoungQBSan Francisco 49ers
1991Thurman ThomasRBBuffalo Bills
1990Joe MontanaQBSan Francisco 49ers
1989Joe MontanaQBSan Francisco 49ers
1988Boomer EsiasonQBCincinnati Bengals
1987John ElwayQBDenver Broncos
1986🔴Lawrence TaylorLBNew York Giants
1985Marcus AllenRBLos Angeles Raiders
1984Dan MarinoQBMiami Dolphins
1983Joe TheismannQBWashington Redskins
1982Mark MoseleyKWashington Redskins
1981Ken AndersonQBCincinnati Bengals
1980Brian SipeQBCleveland Browns
1979Earl CampbellRBHouston Oilers
1978Terry BradshawQBPittsburgh Steelers
1977Walter PaytonRBChicago Bears
1976Bert JonesQBBaltimore Colts
1975Fran TarkentonQBMinnesota Vikings
1974Ken StablerQBOakland Raiders
1973O.J. SimpsonRBBuffalo Bills
1972Larry BrownRBWashington Redskins
1971🔴Alan PageDTMinnesota Vikings
1970John BrodieQBSan Francisco 49ers
1969Roman GabrielQBLos Angeles Rams
1968Earl MorrallQBBaltimore Colts
1967Johnny UnitasQBBaltimore Colts
1966Bart StarrQBGreen Bay Packers
1965Jim BrownFBCleveland Browns
1964Johnny UnitasQBBaltimore Colts
1963Y.A. TittleQBNew York Giants
1962Jim TaylorFBGreen Bay Packers
1961Paul HornungHBGreen Bay Packers
1960No AP MVP Award—
1959Johnny UnitasQBBaltimore Colts
1958Jim BrownFBCleveland Browns
1957Jim BrownFBCleveland Browns
QB50
RB / FB / HB16
Defensive Players2
Kicker1

AP NFL Coach of the Year (1957–2025)

YearCoachTeam
2025Mike VrabelNew England Patriots
2024Kevin O'ConnellMinnesota Vikings
2023Kevin StefanskiCleveland Browns
2022Brian DabollNew York Giants
2021Mike VrabelTennessee Titans
2020Kevin StefanskiCleveland Browns
2019John HarbaughBaltimore Ravens
2018Matt NagyChicago Bears
2017Sean McVayLos Angeles Rams
2016Jason GarrettDallas Cowboys
2015Ron RiveraCarolina Panthers
2014Bruce AriansArizona Cardinals
2013Ron RiveraCarolina Panthers
2012Bruce AriansIndianapolis Colts
2011Jim HarbaughSan Francisco 49ers
2010Bill BelichickNew England Patriots
2009Marvin LewisCincinnati Bengals
2008Mike SmithAtlanta Falcons
2007Bill BelichickNew England Patriots
2006Sean PaytonNew Orleans Saints
2005Lovie SmithChicago Bears
2004Marty SchottenheimerSan Diego Chargers
2003Bill BelichickNew England Patriots
2002Andy ReidPhiladelphia Eagles
2001Dick JauronChicago Bears
2000Jim HaslettNew Orleans Saints
1999Dick VermeilSt. Louis Rams
1998Dan ReevesAtlanta Falcons
1997Jim FasselNew York Giants
1996Dom CapersCarolina Panthers
1995Ray RhodesPhiladelphia Eagles
1994Bill ParcellsNew England Patriots
1993Dan ReevesNew York Giants
1992Bill CowherPittsburgh Steelers
1991Wayne FontesDetroit Lions
1990Jimmy JohnsonDallas Cowboys
1989Lindy InfanteGreen Bay Packers
1988Mike DitkaChicago Bears
1987Jim MoraNew Orleans Saints
1986Bill ParcellsNew York Giants
1985Mike DitkaChicago Bears
1984Chuck KnoxSeattle Seahawks
1983Joe GibbsWashington Redskins
1982Joe GibbsWashington Redskins
1981Bill WalshSan Francisco 49ers
1980Chuck KnoxBuffalo Bills
1979Jack PardeeWashington Redskins
1978Jack PateraSeattle Seahawks
1977Red MillerDenver Broncos
1976Forrest GreggCleveland Browns
1975Ted MarchibrodaBaltimore Colts
1974Don CoryellSt. Louis Cardinals
1973Chuck KnoxLos Angeles Rams
1972Don ShulaMiami Dolphins
1971George AllenWashington Redskins
1970Paul BrownCincinnati Bengals
1969Bud GrantMinnesota Vikings
1968Don ShulaBaltimore Colts
1967Don ShulaBaltimore Colts
1967George AllenLos Angeles Rams (tie)
1966Tom LandryDallas Cowboys
1965George HalasChicago Bears
1964Don ShulaBaltimore Colts
1963George HalasChicago Bears
1962Allie ShermanNew York Giants
1961Allie ShermanNew York Giants
1960No award presented
1959Vince LombardiGreen Bay Packers
1958Weeb EwbankBaltimore Colts
1957George WilsonDetroit Lions

AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1971–2025)

YearPlayerPosition
1971Alan PageDT
1972Joe GreeneDT
1973Dick AndersonS
1974Joe GreeneDT
1975Mel BlountCB
1976Jack LambertLB
1977Harvey MartinDE
1978Randy GradisharLB
1979Lee Roy SelmonDE
1980Lester HayesCB
1981Lawrence TaylorLB
1982Lawrence TaylorLB
1983Doug BettersDE
1984Kenny EasleyS
1985Mike SingletaryLB
1986Lawrence TaylorLB
1987Reggie WhiteDE
1988Mike SingletaryLB
1989Keith MillardDT
1990Bruce SmithDE
1991Pat SwillingLB
1992Cortez KennedyDT
1993Rod WoodsonDB
1994Deion SandersCB
1995Bryce PaupLB
1996Bruce SmithDE
1997Dana StubblefieldDT
1998Reggie WhiteDE
1999Warren SappDT
2000Ray LewisLB
2001Michael StrahanDE
2002Derrick BrooksLB
2003Ray LewisLB
2004Ed ReedS
2005Brian UrlacherLB
2006Jason TaylorDE
2007Bob SandersDB
2008James HarrisonLB
2009Charles WoodsonCB
2010Troy PolamaluS
2011Terrell SuggsLB
2012J.J. WattDE
2013Luke KuechlyLB
2014J.J. WattDE
2015J.J. WattDE
2016Khalil MackLB
2017Aaron DonaldDT
2018Aaron DonaldDT
2019Stephon GilmoreCB
2020Aaron DonaldDT
2021T.J. WattLB
2022Nick BosaDE
2023Myles GarrettDE
2024Patrick Surtain IICB
2025Myles GarrettDE

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