NFL Century Division

The NFL Century Division was a division within the National Football League (NFL) that existed from 1967 to 1969. It was part of the NFL's Eastern Conference and comprised four teams: the Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The division was created during a period of league reorganization and realignment.

History

The NFL Century Division was established in 1967 as part of a larger NFL reorganization that aimed to balance the divisions and prepare for the impending merger with the American Football League (AFL). The division existed for three seasons before it was dissolved in the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

During its brief existence, the Century Division was known for its competitive teams and significant rivalries, particularly between the Cleveland Browns and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Browns dominated the division, winning the division title in each of the three years it existed.

Teams

The teams in the NFL Century Division were:

• Cleveland Browns
• St. Louis Cardinals
• New York Giants
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Each team brought its unique history and fan base to the division, contributing to intense on-field competitions.

Championships

The divisional champion was determined based on regular season records. The Cleveland Browns were the most successful team in the Century Division, capturing the division title every year from 1967 to 1969. These victories allowed them to advance to the NFL playoffs, although they did not win a Super Bowl during these years.

Dissolution

The NFL Century Division was dissolved following the 1969 season as part of the NFL-AFL merger. The teams were then redistributed among the newly formed divisions in the reorganized league. The Browns and Steelers became part of the American Football Conference (AFC), while the Giants and Cardinals were placed in the National Football Conference (NFC).

Legacy

Although short-lived, the NFL Century Division is remembered for its competitive spirit and the foundation it provided for future NFL successes among its constituent teams. The division's existence helped shape the modern alignment of teams and set the stage for the growth of the NFL in the subsequent decades.