A list of the last time every NFL team made the AFC Championship.
The 2026 AFC Championship feels like we are turning back the clock about a decade. Once again, the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots are Super Bowl contenders. While the NFL is a league built for parity, it does feel like there are common names popping up this time every year. As the Macho Man said, “the cream rises to the top.”
But what about the rest of the teams? More likely than not, you are a fan of a team that is not playing this weekend. Let’s take a look at the last season every NFL team made the AFC Championship. Obviously, we’re looking at half of the league here. We also listed the last time every NFL team made the NFC Championship.
Last Season Every NFL Team Made the AFC Championship
Baltimore Ravens
Season: 2023
Result: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10
Buffalo Bills
Season: 2024
Result: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 32-29
Cincinnati Bengals
Season: 2022
Result: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 23-20
Cleveland Browns
Season: 1989
Result: Lost to Denver Broncos, 37-21
Denver Broncos
Season: 2025
The Denver Broncos are hosting the 2025 season AFC Championship today against the New England Patriots! It has been a great season for the top-seeded Broncos, whose defense gives them the ability to win any game. However, they will have to show up in a big way against New England, since Denver’s starting quarterback, Bo Nix, broke his ankle last week.
Houston Texans
Season: N/A
The Houston Texans are the only team in the AFC to have never made the AFC Championship. In fact, they are the only franchise to never see a conference championship game. Houston is the league’s youngest team, being founded in 1999. Their entire existence has been dominated by the Patriots and Chiefs dynasties, unfortunately for them.
Indianapolis Colts
Season: 2014
Result: Lost to New England Patriots, 45-7
Jacksonville Jaguars
Season: 2017
Result: Lost to New England Patriots, 24-20
Kansas City Chiefs
Season: 2024
Result: Defeated Buffalo Bills, 32-29.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ absence from the AFC Championship this season is definitely a rarity. The Chiefs made the conference championship game seven times from 2018 through 2024. For those keeping track at home, that is seven straight appearances before missing the NFL Playoffs altogether this season. Is this a blip on the radar, or is it the end of an era?
Las Vegas Raiders
Season: 2002
Result: Defeated Tennessee Titans, 41-24
Los Angeles Chargers
Season: 2007
Result: Lost to New England Patriots, 21-12
Miami Dolphins
Season: 1992
Result: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 29-10
New England Patriots
Season: 2025
Turn back the clock, because the New England Patriots are back in the AFC Championship game. They are favored to defeat the Broncos, after many have said the Patriots have not beaten a good team all season long. Regardless, the rebuild following Bill Belichick’s departure was a quick one, as Mike Vrabel has this team playing as good as ever, and they found themselves a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye.
New York Jets
Season: 2010
Result: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19
Pittsburgh Steelers
Season: 2016
Result: Lost to New England Patriots, 36-17
Tennessee Titans
Season: 2019
Result: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 35-24
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