NFC North: redundant; this fact is already stated earlier in the paragraph
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===AFC East===
===AFC East===
* '''Buffalo Bills''', Ralph C. Wilson Stadium, [[Orchard Park]], [[New York (state)|New York]] — Based in the [[Buffalo]] area, the Bills are noted for two things: undyingly loyal fans and a playoff drought that has tested said fans, with no postseason appearance since 1999 and no postseason win since 1995. The Bills also earned the distinction of being the only team to make it to four consecutive Super Bowls, which they did in the early 90s; they lost all of them, however.
* '''Buffalo Bills''', Ralph C. Wilson Stadium, [[Orchard Park]], [[New York (state)|New York]] — Based in the [[Buffalo]] area, the Bills are noted for two things: undyingly loyal fans and a playoff drought that has tested said fans, with no postseason appearance since 1999 and no postseason win since 1995. The Bills also earned the distinction of being the only team to make it to four consecutive Super Bowls, which they did in the early 90s; they lost all of them, however.
−
* '''Miami Dolphins''', Sun Life Stadium, [[Miami Gardens]], [[Florida]]
-
Once a prolific team,
that
made it to the Super Bowl several times, they have entered a slump in recent years and usually play second fiddle in their division to the dominant Patriots, and are sometimes even surpassed by the Jets or the Bills.
+
* '''Miami Dolphins''', Sun Life Stadium, [[Miami Gardens]], [[Florida]]
—
Once a prolific team,
having
made it to the Super Bowl several times, they have entered a slump in recent years and usually play second fiddle in their division to the dominant Patriots, and are sometimes even surpassed by the Jets or the Bills.
* '''New England Patriots''', Gillette Stadium, [[Foxborough]], [[Massachusetts]] — One of the most successful franchises in the NFL, the Patriots have enjoyed an unprecedented level of success in the last couple of decades, making regular playoff appearances and advancing to several Super Bowls. A highlight of home games is the End Zone Milita, a group of men in Revolutionary War dress who fire a salute from the end zone when the Patriots score.
* '''New England Patriots''', Gillette Stadium, [[Foxborough]], [[Massachusetts]] — One of the most successful franchises in the NFL, the Patriots have enjoyed an unprecedented level of success in the last couple of decades, making regular playoff appearances and advancing to several Super Bowls. A highlight of home games is the End Zone Milita, a group of men in Revolutionary War dress who fire a salute from the end zone when the Patriots score.
* '''New York Jets''', MetLife Stadium, [[East Rutherford]], [[New Jersey]] — Despite playing in the [[New York City]] area, the Jets tend to take a backseat to the more famous New York Giants, with which they share a stadium. They were the first AFL team and to date the biggest underdog (by Las Vegas point spread) to win a Super Bowl, upsetting the then Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. However, this has so far proved their only Super Bowl win.
* '''New York Jets''', MetLife Stadium, [[East Rutherford]], [[New Jersey]] — Despite playing in the [[New York City]] area, the Jets tend to take a backseat to the more famous New York Giants, with which they share a stadium. They were the first AFL team and to date the biggest underdog (by Las Vegas point spread) to win a Super Bowl, upsetting the then Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. However, this has so far proved their only Super Bowl win.
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[[File:Pittsburgh Steeler fans 16 Sept 2007.jpg|thumb|300px|Steelers fans waving "terrible towels"]]
[[File:Pittsburgh Steeler fans 16 Sept 2007.jpg|thumb|300px|Steelers fans waving "terrible towels"]]
* '''Baltimore Ravens''', M&T Bank Stadium, [[Baltimore]] (in [[Baltimore/South Baltimore|South Baltimore]]) — Named for Edgar Allen Poe's famous poem, the Ravens have enjoyed great success during their time in Baltimore, becoming a regular fixture in the playoffs. They are the product of a controversial and curious relocation of the Cleveland Browns in 1996, with the Ravens officially entering the league as an expansion team, despite them continuing with almost all their players and coaches as well as the same owner from their days in Cleveland.
* '''Baltimore Ravens''', M&T Bank Stadium, [[Baltimore]] (in [[Baltimore/South Baltimore|South Baltimore]]) — Named for Edgar Allen Poe's famous poem, the Ravens have enjoyed great success during their time in Baltimore, becoming a regular fixture in the playoffs. They are the product of a controversial and curious relocation of the Cleveland Browns in 1996, with the Ravens officially entering the league as an expansion team, despite them continuing with almost all their players and coaches as well as the same owner from their days in Cleveland.
−
* '''Cincinnati Bengals''', Paul Brown Stadium, [[Cincinnati]] — After years of frustration, the Bengals have recently found new fire, much to the delight of their fans. Cincinnati fans are noted for their "Who Dey!" chant, more specifically, "''Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? ...Nobody!''" the
name
of the
stadium
honors
the same man
as
the
"Browns"
nickname
of
the
Cleveland team,
incidentally
.
+
* '''Cincinnati Bengals''', Paul Brown Stadium, [[Cincinnati]] — After years of frustration, the Bengals have recently found new fire, much to the delight of their fans. Cincinnati fans are noted for their "Who Dey!" chant, more specifically, "''Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? ...Nobody!''"
Incidentally, their stadium bears
the
namesake
of the
Cleveland
Browns, as
the same man
was
instrumental
in
the history
of
both
Ohio
teams
.
* '''Cleveland Browns''', FirstEnergy Stadium, [[Cleveland]] (in [[Cleveland/Downtown|Downtown Cleveland]]) — Despite a storied history, the Browns have had very little postseason success to speak of in the last few decades. The controversial relocation of the previous Browns franchise to Baltimore in 1995 and the three inactive seasons that followed have left many Browns fans angry and bitter, which hasn't been mitigated by the (usually bad) play of the "new" Browns. A curiosity of the fanbase is the "Dawg Pound" section behind the end zone, where fans often wear canine-related masks and costumes.
* '''Cleveland Browns''', FirstEnergy Stadium, [[Cleveland]] (in [[Cleveland/Downtown|Downtown Cleveland]]) — Despite a storied history, the Browns have had very little postseason success to speak of in the last few decades. The controversial relocation of the previous Browns franchise to Baltimore in 1995 and the three inactive seasons that followed have left many Browns fans angry and bitter, which hasn't been mitigated by the (usually bad) play of the "new" Browns. A curiosity of the fanbase is the "Dawg Pound" section behind the end zone, where fans often wear canine-related masks and costumes.
* '''Pittsburgh Steelers''', Heinz Field, [[Pittsburgh]] (in the [[Pittsburgh/North Side|North Side]]) — The oldest franchise of the AFC (one of the three that moved from the NFL after the merger), the Steelers hold the record for most Super Bowl victories, with six, and their wide-reaching and devoted fanbase makes them one of the most recognized teams in the NFL.
* '''Pittsburgh Steelers''', Heinz Field, [[Pittsburgh]] (in the [[Pittsburgh/North Side|North Side]]) — The oldest franchise of the AFC (one of the three that moved from the NFL after the merger), the Steelers hold the record for most Super Bowl victories, with six, and their wide-reaching and devoted fanbase makes them one of the most recognized teams in the NFL.
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===AFC West===
===AFC West===
[[File:Black Hole at Falcons at Raiders 11-2-08.JPG|thumb|300px|The "Black Hole" of Raiders fans]]
[[File:Black Hole at Falcons at Raiders 11-2-08.JPG|thumb|300px|The "Black Hole" of Raiders fans]]
−
* '''Denver Broncos''', Sports Authority Field at Mile High, [[Denver]] — The Broncos are among the most successful NFL teams, making frequent playoff runs. They have had a number of famous
quarterback
with Jon Elway currently managing the franchise and Peyton Manning playing for them since being cut by Indianapolis.
+
* '''Denver Broncos''', Sports Authority Field at Mile High, [[Denver]] — The Broncos are among the most successful NFL teams, making frequent playoff runs. They have had a number of famous
quarterbacks,
with Jon Elway currently managing the franchise and Peyton Manning playing for them since being cut by Indianapolis.
* '''Kansas City Chiefs''', Arrowhead Stadium, [[Kansas City]] — Though lacking in on-field success, the Chiefs enjoy one of the most rabid fanbases in football, and home crowds are noted for such antics as shouting "CHIEFS!" as the final word of the Star-Spangled Banner and the rather intimidating chant of "''We're gonna beat the hell outta you...you...you, you, you, you!''"
* '''Kansas City Chiefs''', Arrowhead Stadium, [[Kansas City]] — Though lacking in on-field success, the Chiefs enjoy one of the most rabid fanbases in football, and home crowds are noted for such antics as shouting "CHIEFS!" as the final word of the Star-Spangled Banner and the rather intimidating chant of "''We're gonna beat the hell outta you...you...you, you, you, you!''"
* '''Oakland Raiders''', O.Co Coliseum, [[Oakland]] — Among the most recognizable football teams, the Raiders are noted for their intensely passionate fans, the most visible of whom show up at games wearing intimidating costumes. A very successful team for most of their history in both Oakland, Los Angeles, and then Oakland again, they have entered a severe decline in recent years. As their stadium situation is less than satisfactory, speculation about relocation pops up from time to time.
* '''Oakland Raiders''', O.Co Coliseum, [[Oakland]] — Among the most recognizable football teams, the Raiders are noted for their intensely passionate fans, the most visible of whom show up at games wearing intimidating costumes. A very successful team for most of their history in both Oakland, Los Angeles, and then Oakland again, they have entered a severe decline in recent years. As their stadium situation is less than satisfactory, speculation about relocation pops up from time to time.
−
* '''San Diego Chargers''', Qualcomm Stadium, [[San Diego]] (in [[San Diego/Old Town-Mission Valley|Mission Valley]])
.
Though they have won the AFL championship once (prior to the merger and thus the Super Bowl),
they
have never won the Super Bowl, losing to the San Francisco 49ers on their sole appearance.
+
* '''San Diego Chargers''', Qualcomm Stadium, [[San Diego]] (in [[San Diego/Old Town-Mission Valley|Mission Valley]])
—
Though they have won the AFL championship once (prior to the merger and thus the Super Bowl),
the Chargers
have never won the Super Bowl, losing to the San Francisco 49ers on their sole appearance.
===NFC East===
===NFC East===
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* '''Chicago Bears''', Soldier Field, [[Chicago]] (in [[Chicago/Near South|Near South]]) — One of the oldest NFL franchises, "Da Bears" are among the most recognized and successful teams in the NFL, and have a long-standing rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.
* '''Chicago Bears''', Soldier Field, [[Chicago]] (in [[Chicago/Near South|Near South]]) — One of the oldest NFL franchises, "Da Bears" are among the most recognized and successful teams in the NFL, and have a long-standing rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.
* '''Detroit Lions''', Ford Field, [[Detroit]] (in [[Detroit/Downtown|Downtown Detroit]]) — While the Lions can claim four pre-merger NFL championships (the last dating from 1957), they haven't made it to the Super Bowl ever, the only NFC team with that distinction.
* '''Detroit Lions''', Ford Field, [[Detroit]] (in [[Detroit/Downtown|Downtown Detroit]]) — While the Lions can claim four pre-merger NFL championships (the last dating from 1957), they haven't made it to the Super Bowl ever, the only NFC team with that distinction.
−
* '''Green Bay Packers''', Lambeau Field, [[Green Bay]], [[Wisconsin]] — Among the most storied franchises in football, the Packers are the last of the small town teams from the founding of the NFL, and are also the only community-owned major sports franchise in America. Packers fans also feel a strong connection to Vince Lombardi, who led the Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls (hence why the Super Bowl trophy today bears his name). The Packers have a large and devoted following, who are often referred to as "cheeseheads" owing to their practice of wearing foam cheese-shaped hats. Their success in the early years of the NFL as well as their "three-peat" in the 1960s (a feat that no other team in professional football has accomplished since)
, including wins in the first two Super Bowls
have earned Green Bay the nickname "Titletown, USA"
+
* '''Green Bay Packers''', Lambeau Field, [[Green Bay]], [[Wisconsin]] — Among the most storied franchises in football, the Packers are the last of the small town teams from the founding of the NFL, and are also the only community-owned major sports franchise in America. Packers fans also feel a strong connection to Vince Lombardi, who led the Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls (hence why the Super Bowl trophy today bears his name). The Packers have a large and devoted following, who are often referred to as "cheeseheads" owing to their practice of wearing foam cheese-shaped hats. Their success in the early years of the NFL as well as their "three-peat" in the 1960s (a feat that no other team in professional football has accomplished since) have earned Green Bay the nickname "Titletown, USA"
* '''Minnesota Vikings''', TCF Bank Stadium, [[Minneapolis]] (in [[Minneapolis/Southeast|Southeast Minneapolis]]) — Vikings fans are noted for their practice of often wearing "Helga hats", purple Viking helmets with blond braids. A highlight of home games is the blowing of a loud viking horn to announce the arrival of the home team or celebrating a touchdown, which is often answered by the fans with horns of their own.
* '''Minnesota Vikings''', TCF Bank Stadium, [[Minneapolis]] (in [[Minneapolis/Southeast|Southeast Minneapolis]]) — Vikings fans are noted for their practice of often wearing "Helga hats", purple Viking helmets with blond braids. A highlight of home games is the blowing of a loud viking horn to announce the arrival of the home team or celebrating a touchdown, which is often answered by the fans with horns of their own.
===NFC South===
===NFC South===
* '''Atlanta Falcons''', Georgia Dome, [[Atlanta]] (in [[Atlanta/Downtown|Downtown Atlanta]])
* '''Atlanta Falcons''', Georgia Dome, [[Atlanta]] (in [[Atlanta/Downtown|Downtown Atlanta]])
−
* '''Carolina Panthers''', Bank of America Stadium, [[Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]] (in [[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown Charlotte]])
.
The other 1995 expansion team, they have enjoyed more success than the struggling Jaguars and are among the top playoff contenders nearly every year.
+
* '''Carolina Panthers''', Bank of America Stadium, [[Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]] (in [[Charlotte/Uptown|Uptown Charlotte]])
—
The other 1995 expansion team, they have enjoyed more success than the struggling
Jacksonville
Jaguars and are among the top playoff contenders nearly every year.
* '''New Orleans Saints''', The Superdome, [[New Orleans]] (in the [[New Orleans/Central Business District|CBD]]) — When the Saints go marching in, you can bet on New Orleans fans to cheer them on. The Saints are strongly identified with the city and have proved to be fierce competitors in recent years. Their reemergence after Hurricane Katrina, as well as their Super Bowl win after years of abysmal performance that earned them the moniker of "Ain'ts", have often been cited as influencing the culture of the city deeply and giving locals hope in difficult times.
* '''New Orleans Saints''', The Superdome, [[New Orleans]] (in the [[New Orleans/Central Business District|CBD]]) — When the Saints go marching in, you can bet on New Orleans fans to cheer them on. The Saints are strongly identified with the city and have proved to be fierce competitors in recent years. Their reemergence after Hurricane Katrina, as well as their Super Bowl win after years of abysmal performance that earned them the moniker of "Ain'ts", have often been cited as influencing the culture of the city deeply and giving locals hope in difficult times.
[[File:Raymond James Stadium03.jpg|thumb|300px|The Buccaneers' pirate ship]]
[[File:Raymond James Stadium03.jpg|thumb|300px|The Buccaneers' pirate ship]]