American Football League vs. National Football League

Attribute	American Football League	National Football League
Founded	1960	1920
Teams	10	32
Championship Game	AFL Championship Game	Super Bowl
Merger	Merged with NFL in 1970	Merged with AFL in 1970
Current Teams	None (merged with NFL)	32

History

The American Football League (AFL) was founded in 1960 as a rival league to the National Football League (NFL). The AFL initially struggled to compete with the more established NFL, but eventually merged with the NFL in 1970. The merger resulted in the creation of two conferences within the NFL, the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL, on the other hand, was founded in 1920 and has a longer history and more established traditions compared to the AFL.

Teams

Both the AFL and NFL have a total of 32 teams, divided into two conferences with four divisions each. The teams in the AFL were originally based in cities that did not have NFL franchises, such as the Houston Oilers and the Buffalo Bills. After the merger, these teams were integrated into the NFL and some underwent name changes. The NFL, on the other hand, has teams that have been around for decades and have built strong fan bases over the years.

Rules

While the basic rules of football are the same in both the AFL and NFL, there are some differences in the rules and regulations of the two leagues. For example, the AFL introduced the two-point conversion rule, which allows a team to score two points by running or passing the ball into the end zone after a touchdown. The NFL, on the other hand, has stricter rules regarding player conduct and celebrations on the field.

Gameplay

Both the AFL and NFL games are played on a 100-yard field with goalposts at each end. The main objective of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone. In terms of gameplay, the AFL was known for its high-scoring and pass-heavy style of play, while the NFL was more focused on defense and running the ball. The AFL-NFL merger resulted in a mix of playing styles and strategies in the new NFL.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the championship game of the NFL and is one of the most-watched sporting events in the United States. The first Super Bowl was played in 1967 between the AFL and NFL champions, with the NFL's Green Bay Packers emerging as the winners. Since then, the Super Bowl has become a cultural phenomenon and is watched by millions of people around the world. The AFL, on the other hand, did not have a championship game of the same magnitude as the Super Bowl.

Legacy

While the AFL only existed for a decade before merging with the NFL, its impact on the sport of football is still felt today. Many of the innovations introduced by the AFL, such as the two-point conversion and the use of instant replay, have been adopted by the NFL. The AFL also paved the way for future expansion teams and helped to popularize the sport in new markets. The NFL, on the other hand, has a long and storied history that includes legendary players, iconic teams, and memorable moments that have shaped the game of football as we know it today.