NFC

NFC stands for the National Football Conference. The NFC was created as a result of the Merger of NFL and AFL in 1970. The teams from the original NFL were placed in the NFC. However, the following NFL teams were transferred to the AFC (American Football league) together with the former AFL teams: Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts and the Pittsburg Steelers. They were transferred to even the number of teams in both conferences.

The NFC teams in the time of merger were divided into three divisions: the NFC west, NFC East and NFC Central. Since then the NFL has granted numerous expansions and the number of division were increased in 2002. Instead of a Central Division, NFC now has North, South, East, and West Division in the conference. At the end of the conference, there would be 6 teams that would advance to the conference playoffs. Each division will have a NFC Champs, for example the NFC East champions.

The winners are determined by their win loss record and the other two “wild cards” are determined by their standing compared to the other teams in the whole conference. The NFC champions are determined first by a game between the wildcard and two other division champs. The winner will move to play in the divisional playoffs and the winner of each game will play in the NFC championship game. The winner will receive the George Halas trophy and move on to play the Super Bowl and face the AFC champions.

Last year, the 2006 NFC champions were the Chicago Bears. In the Super Bowl, the 2006 NFC Champion Chicago bears faced the AFC champions, the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts of the AFC emerged as the Super Bowl XLI champs by defeating the Chicago Bears NFC champions.

The highlight of the NFL season is undoubtedly the Super Bowl. However, each team is appreciated for their performance in each division. For example, as the NFC South Division Champs in 2006, the New Orleans Saints 2006 NFC South Division Champions hat was released. The Chicago Bears NFC champion hat was also released. Usually, the Chicago Bears NFC Championship hats are worn by players immediately after the game. The bears were also appreciated for their NFC victories with NFC locker room souvenirs and the 2006 NFC Champions flag which were sold as commemorative items of the team.

The NFC is regarded as the original NFL and the AFC was only the AFL team who merged with the original NFL. However, each team has put up their own records and all of them have become competitive in every way.