Founded in 1960, the experienced much success due to the longevity of excellent coach Tom Landry, who led the team from its inception until 1988. In 1966, they began a streak of 8 straight playoff berths, lasting until 1973. After a one year interuption a 9 year playoff streak unfolder from 1975-83. During this time, Dallas was dominant during the regular season, but seemed to be somewhat unsuccessful in the postseason. They lost their first Super Bowl in 1970 on a last second Colts field goal, but followed it up with a Super Bowl VI win the next year. In the 1970s, the Cowboys were called America's Team, and had a fierce rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as both were easily the best and most popular teams in football. While Dallas claimed its second title in 1977 in Super Bowl XII, they came up on the losing end of 2 Super Bowl apperances against the Steelers in 1975 and 1978. After the dominance of the 1970s and 1980s came to an end in Landry's last playoff berth in 1985, the team went through a short but bitter downfall, before quickly rebounding in the early 1990s. From 1991-99, they earned 8 playoff berths in 9 seasons but most importantly won 3 more Super Bowl crowns with a new cast of characters such as Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. Their back-to-back 1992 and 1993 Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII wins over Buffalo were dominanting, but their Super Bowl XXX victory over archrival Pittsburgh was contreversial due to 2 terrible Steeler interceptions. In recen...

Founded in 1960 as a member of the AFL and calling themselves the Boston Patriots until 1970, the Patriots were initially a mediocore team. Made the playoffs just twice in the 1970s and 3 times in the 1980s. However, 1985 featured a miraculous run in which they made the Super Bowl (as a wild card) after winning 3 straight road playoff games. However, they were crushed by the Bears in the title game (the Steelers became the first team to win a Super Bowl after 3 straight road playoff victories this year). Became a decent franchise in the 1990s with eccentric coach Bill Parcells and quarterback Drew Bledsoe with 4 playoff berths and a loss in the Super Bowl in 1996. Established a dynasty in recent years with Tom Brady, a former 6th round draft pick, as a superstar quarterback. Have made the playoffs 4 times in the last 5 years, included 3 Super Bowl wins. Won their 3 titles by a combined 9 points- Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII on last second Adam Vinatieri field goals and Super Bowl XXXIX after holding off an Eagles comeback.

Formed in 1950, they were named for their legendary coach Paul Brown. They won their title in their first year of existance, taking 2 more crowns in 1954 and 1955 and making the playoffs 9 times during the 1950s. They contined to play good football in the 1960s and early 1970s but could not make it to another championship game. The 1980s were filled with disappointment. The team had 7 playoffs during the decade but could not reach the Super Bowl, losing the AFC Championship game, each time to the Denver Broncos, in 1986, 1987, and 1989. The 1986 game featured the famous Denver comeback known as The Drive, which crushed the hopes of Bernie Kosar and the Browns. After a 1994 playoff berth, team owner Art Modell relocated the team to Baltimore following the 1995 season after a dispute with the city over the building of a stadium. Angered fans saw a new incarnation of the team, the expansion Browns, return in 1999. Since then, they have 1 playoff berth, in 2002.

In 1932, the NFL arrived in Boston with the forming of the Redskins, but after a 1936 championship game loss, the team jumped ship for the nation's capital. In the early days in Washington, they were dominant, with titles in 1937 and 1941 and championship game apperances in 1940, 1943, and 1945. The 1940 loss was the most lopsided in NFL history at 73-0. After a decade and a half of struggles, the team returned to glory in the early 1970s with 5 playoff berths in 6 years from 1971-76. This team was made up of old veterans such as reciever Charley Taylor and quarterback Billy Klimer. Their success, however, did not translate to a Super Bowl win, as they lost in their first apperance in 1972. In the 1980s, the team was revived again under coach Joe Gibbs with 5 playoff berths and 3 Super Bowl apperances. They won the championship in 1982's Super Bowl XVII and 1987's Super Bowl XXII, while the lost a lopsided battle in 1983. They achieved 3 more playoff berths in the early 1990s and another championship in Super Bowl XXVI. However, the team struggled for many years afterward, with just one playoff berth, a 1999 division crown, between 1993-2004. In 2005, the team turned it around and returned to the postseason. The Redskins appear to have a solid core for the future.

Created as an expansion team in 1976, the Seahawks put up decent numbers in the 1980s with 5 playoff berths under long time quarterback Dave Krieg. However, the team struggled for many years during the 1990s. After a division crown in 1988, they failed to make the playoffs again until 1999. In recent years, the team has been much better with 3 straight playoff berths and an amazing offense. This past season in 2005, the team made the Super Bowl for the first time. However, they ended up on the losing end of the game, as the Steelers took the championship.

An expansion team in 1995, the Jaguars quickly became a dominant team behind quarterback Mark Brunell, receiver Jimmy Smith, and a great defense. From 1996-99, the team had 4 straight playoff berths, going 14-2 with the league's best record in in '99. However, during that season, they lost both of their games to the Tennessee Titans, and again lost to the Titans in the playoffs, costing Jacksonville a trip to the Super Bowl. After some poor seasons, the Jaguars again built a hard nosed team and made the playoffs in 2005.

The Colts were established in 1953 as Baltimore's NFL franchise. The quickly established themselves as contenders after signed quarterback Johnny Unitas, one of the greatest in the history of the game. With Johnny U, they won the NFL championship in back to back years in 1958-59 and lost in the title game in 1964. The Colts continued their dominance in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1968, they headed to the Super Bowl and were heavy favorites to win the title. However, they choked under pressure and lost to the Jets in stunning fashion. The Colts made up for their shortcomings in Super Bowl V. In Unitas's last year as a starter, the Colts beat Dallas for the title on a last second Jim O'Brien field goal. Up and down throughout the next decade, the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984, to the shock of players and fans alike. Owner Robert Irsay secretly made the relocation deal, and information of the move didn't leak to the media until the day after the franchise had moved. Playoff berths were sparse in Indianapolis until quarterback Peyton Manning and receiver Marvin Harrison joined forces in the late 1990s, becoming an amazing duo and leading a high powered offense. While offense has led the team into the playoffs 6 times in the last 7 years, defense has consistantly been a problem. Also, Manning's performance seems to slip in the postseason, and this proficient passer has yet to reach football's title game. In 2005, after having the best record in football, the Colts ...