American Football League playoffs

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The American Football League (AFL) playoffs were the postseason games held at the end of each American Football League season from 1960 to 1969, before the league merged with the National Football League in 1970. The AFL playoffs determined the league's champion, which then competed against the NFL champion in the Super Bowl, a game that was originally called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game.

History[edit | edit source]

The AFL was established in 1960 as a competitor to the NFL. During its initial season, the league did not host playoff games. Instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the champion. Starting in 1963, the AFL introduced a playoff system to determine its champion, who would then face the NFL champion in the Super Bowl, beginning with the first Super Bowl in 1967.

Format[edit | edit source]

The original playoff format in the AFL involved the two teams with the best regular-season records from the Eastern and Western Divisions. These teams would face each other in the AFL Championship Game. The winner of this game would then be crowned the AFL champion.

In 1969, the AFL expanded its playoff format to include four teams. The top two teams from each division would qualify for the playoffs. The division champions would host the second-place team from the opposite division in the semifinals, with the winners advancing to the AFL Championship Game.

Notable Games[edit | edit source]

Some of the most notable AFL playoff games include:

  • The 1962 AFL Championship Game, where the Dallas Texans defeated the Houston Oilers in double overtime, one of the longest games in professional football history.
  • The 1968 AFL Championship Game, famously known as the "Heidi Game," where the New York Jets defeated the Oakland Raiders, leading the Jets to their historic victory in Super Bowl III.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The AFL playoffs played a significant role in the popularity and eventual merger of the AFL with the NFL. The competitive nature of the AFL and its different approach to the game, including a more pass-oriented offense, helped shape modern professional football. The merger led to the creation of the current NFL playoff system, which still includes a championship game, now known as the Super Bowl.

See also[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD