AFC South

The AFC South is a division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Established in 2002 as part of the NFL's reorganization, the division comprises four teams: the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans.

History

The AFC South was created when the NFL realigned divisions following the addition of the Houston Texans as an expansion team in 2002. This realignment was designed to balance the number of teams in each division across the league. Prior to this, teams now in the AFC South were part of other divisions; the Colts were in the AFC East, while the Titans and Jaguars were in the AFC Central.

Teams

• Houston Texans – Joined the NFL as an expansion team in 2002.
• Indianapolis Colts – Originally an NFL team, the Colts were part of the AFC East before moving to the AFC South in 2002.
• Jacksonville Jaguars – An expansion team that joined the NFL in 1995, originally part of the AFC Central.
• Tennessee Titans – Founded as the Houston Oilers and part of the AFC Central, the team relocated to Tennessee and became the Titans in 1999.

Championships

The division has seen varying degrees of success among its teams in the postseason. The Indianapolis Colts have been particularly successful, with multiple division titles and a Super Bowl victory in 2007 during Super Bowl XLI.

Rivalries

Several rivalries exist within the AFC South, notably between the Titans and the Colts, due to their consistent competition for the division title. The Jaguars and Texans also have a burgeoning rivalry, as both are relatively new teams seeking to establish dominance in the division.

Season structure

Each team in the AFC South plays 16 games during the regular season, with a schedule that includes games against each of their division opponents both at home and away, games against teams from another AFC division, another NFC division, and two additional games determined by the previous year's standings.

Impact on the NFL

The creation of the AFC South has had significant implications for the NFL, including fostering new rivalries and enhancing competitive balance. It has also allowed for a more organized schedule that benefits both teams and fans in terms of travel and game planning.

See also

• NFL Playoffs
• Super Bowl
• List of NFL champions