Football has changed drastically since the AFPA (now NFL) launched in 1920. With over a century of professional football in the books, here's a look at each year's NFL champion.
Akron went undefeated in the first season of the AFPA, with an 8-0-3 record. Incredibly, the Pros allowed just seven points for the entire season, but their season ended with a pair of 0-0 ties.
The Staleys won the second APFA title by going 9-1-1. They split with the second-place Buffalo All-Americans and recorded five shutouts during the season.
The Bulldogs went 10-0-2 with a dominant defense that allowed only 15 points for the season. They were scored upon in only three of 12 games.
Canton won its second consecutive NFL title, going undefeated again at 11-0-1. The Bulldogs led the league in both scoring and fewest points allowed, recording eight shutouts.
The Bulldogs won the championship in 1924 after going 7-1-1, with a 169-point differential. The team led the NFL in offense, averaging 25.4 points per game.
The Cardinals finished the 1925 season at 11-2-1 to claim the championship. Stars John Driscoll and Hal Erickson led the offense.
Frankford went 14-1-2 to best the second-place Chicago Bears as NFL champions. Ben Jones was the offensive leader with nine touchdowns.
The Giants featured an incredible defense that allowed only 20 points for the season, finishing 11-1-1. In addition to 10 shutouts, the Giants also finished second in scoring.
Providence went 8-1-2 with a defense that allowed only 42 points for the season. The defense recorded five shutouts during the season.
The Packers finished 1929 undefeated at 12-0-1. Their defense allowed only 22 points for the entire season and had eight shutouts.
The Packers were the 1930 champs with a record of 10-3-1. The team was led by offensive star Verne Lewellen.
Green Bay was crowned the 1931 NFL champions with a 12-2 record and an elite offense led by Johnny "Blood" McNally.
The NFL played its first championship game due to a standings tie between the Bears and Portsmouth Spartans. Chicago won, 9-0, and finished the season 7-1-6.
Chicago came from behind to beat the New York Giants, 23-21, with a fourth-quarter touchdown by Bill Karr. It was his second touchdown of the game, as the Bears finished the year 11-2-1.
The Giants gave the Chicago Bears their first loss of the 1934 season in the championship game, with a 30-13 victory. Ed Danowski and Ken Strong came away as the top offensive performers in the championship.
Detroit ran away from the New York Giants in the fourth quarter of the championship to win 26-7. Lions star Dutch Clark had 80 rushing yards and one touchdown.
The Packers easily beat the Boston Redskins, 21-6, in the championship, finishing off an 11-1-1 season. Packers star Arnie Herber threw two touchdown passes.
Washington came from behind to beat the Chicago Bears in the NFL championship, 28-21. Sammy Baugh capped off his season by throwing for 335 yards and three touchdowns.
The Giants beat Green Bay, 23-17, in the 1938 NFL championship game. Ed Danowski threw two touchdowns for New York in the championship.
Green Bay shut out the Giants, 27-0, in the championship game, holding the Giants to only 164 yards. Packers star Arnie Herber threw one touchdown pass in the game.
The Bears won their first championship since 1933, blanking the Washington Redskins, 73-0, in the championship game. Chicago had rushing touchdowns from six different players, including Sid Luckman.
Chicago ran through the Packers and Giants in the playoffs to finish 12-1 for the 1941 season. Their 37-9 win over New York in the championship game featured huge offensive days from Norm Standlee and George McAfee.
The Bears suffered their only loss of the year in the 1942 NFL championship, as Washington won 14-6. Washington's defense forced four turnovers during the game.
The Bears offense and Sid Luckman were too much for the Washington Redskins in the NFL championship. Luckman threw five touchdowns in a 41-21 season, and the Bears finished the season 9-1-1.
Green Bay held off the New York Giants with a 14-7 win in the 1944 NFL championship. Ted Fritsch scored both touchdowns for Green Bay in the game.
The Rams started the 1945 championship game vs. the Washington Redskins with a safety, and that proved to be the difference in a 15-14 win. Bob Waterfield threw two touchdown passes.
The Bears defeated the New York Giants, 24-14, in the championship game at the Polo Grounds. Sid Luckman contributed two touchdowns after another terrific season.
The Cardinals got a huge rushing attack in the championship game to defeat the Eagles, 28-21. Chicago went 10-3 for the season.
The Eagles finished the 1948 season 10-2-1 after beating the Chicago Cardinals, 7-0, in the championship. Steve Van Buren rushed for 98 yards in the championship game and led the NFL with 945 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Philadelphia won back-to-back championships after shutting out the Rams, 14-0. The scoring included a blocked return for a touchdown by the Eagles.
Lou Groza kicked a game-winning field goal for the Browns, who won 30-28 over the Rams in the NFL championship. Otto Graham had a huge offensive showing with 298 yards passing, 99 yards rushing and four touchdown passes.
The Rams won the championship game over Cleveland, 24-17, with the help of a fourth-quarter, 73-yard touchdown pass from Norm Van Brocklin to Tom Fears. Otto Graham was also picked off three times by the Rams defense.
Doak Walker and Bobby Layne each scored touchdowns, as the Lions defeated Cleveland 17-7 in the NFL championship game. The Lions defense also forced two turnovers.
The Lions beat Cleveland, 17-16, on a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Bobby Layne to Jim Doran in the championship game. The Browns were just 3-of-16 passing for the game.
Cleveland finished off its championship campaign with a 56-10 win over Detroit. Otto Graham was the offensive star, contributing six touchdowns (three passing, three rushing).
Cleveland won its second straight NFL championship, beating the Los Angeles Rams, 38-14. Quarterback Otto Graham threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores.
New York beat the Bears, 47-7, in the championship. Charlie Conerly threw two touchdowns, and Alex Webster ran for two scores.
Detroit won its third championship of the decade after beating Cleveland, 59-14. Tobin Rote threw four touchdown passes for the Lions.
Baltimore won an overtime shootout over the Giants, 23-1,7 on a 1-yard rush from Alan Ameche. Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas threw for 349 yards and one touchdown.
Trailing 9-7 going into the fourth quarter against the Giants, Baltimore scored 24 unanswered points to eventually win, 31-16. Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas threw two touchdowns and rushed for one more.
The Eagles edged Green Bay, 17-13, in the championship game. Norm Van Brocklin threw for 204 yards and one touchdown for Philly.
The Packers blew out the Giants, 37-0, on New Year's Eve to win the NFL championship. New York was held to only 130 yards, and Bart Starr threw three touchdowns.
The Packers finished a nearly perfect season by beating the Giants, 16-7, in the NFL championship. Jim Taylor was busy with 34 touches and 105 yards from scrimmage.
The Bears won a 14-10 offensive struggle over the Giants in the 1963 NFL championship. Chicago's defense picked off Y.A. Tittle five times and forced six turnovers.
Cleveland blew out the Colts, 27-0, in the 1964 NFL championship. Frank Ryan threw three second-half touchdowns after the game was still tied 0-0 at halftime.
Green Bay won the NFL championship in 1965 with a 23-12 win over the Browns. Cleveland's offense was held to only 161 yards.
The Packers easily defeated Kansas City in the first Super Bowl, emerging to win, 35-10, at the L.A. Coliseum. Bart Starr became the first Super Bowl MVP.
Green Bay made it back-to-back Super Bowl wins with a 33-14 victory over the Raiders in Super Bowl II. Bart Starr threw for 202 yards and one touchdown.
Joe Namath guaranteed victory in Super Bowl III, and his prediction came to fruition when the Jets upset the Colts, 16-7. New York came in as 18-point underdogs in what's still considered one of the biggest upsets in NFL history.
The Chiefs upset the Vikings in Super Bowl IV, 23-7, as they picked off Minnesota quarterbacks three times. K.C. quarterback Len Dawson threw for 142 yards and one touchdown.
Baltimore came from behind to beat the Cowboys in Super Bowl V 16-13, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter. Chuck Howley won MVP despite two picks in a losing effort.
The Cowboys won their first Super Bowl, 24-3, over the Dolphins. Miami was held to only 185 yards of offense, and Roger Staubach threw two touchdowns.
The Dolphins completed what is still the only perfect season in NFL history, going 17-0 after beating Washington, 14-7. Miami's defense was able to pick off the Redskins three times.
Miami didn't go undefeated again, but it did win its second consecutive Super Bowl after beating Minnesota, 24-7. Larry Csonka fan for two touchdowns.
Pittsburgh won its first Super Bowl, running over the Vikings, 16-6. Franco Harris starred in the game with 158 yards rushing on 34 carries.
The Steelers headed off Dallas, 21-17, to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. Pittsburgh scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a 64-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw to Lynn Swann.
Oakland capped off a nearly undefeated season with a 32-14 Super Bowl victory over Minnesota. The Raiders ran for 266 yards, as head coach John Madden finished his eighth consecutive winning season in style.
A great defensive performance by the Cowboys helped defeat Denver, 27-10, in Super Bowl XII. The Broncos were held to only 156 total yards.
Pittsburgh won its third Super Bowl of the decade, withstanding a late Dallas comeback to win 35-31. Terry Bradshaw earned MVP with four touchdown passes.
Pittsburgh won its second consecutive Super Bowl and fourth in six years, defeating the Rams 31-19. Terry Bradshaw won his second consecutive Super Bowl MVP.
The Eagles fell to Oakland, 27-10. Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns on his way to being named MVP.
Joe Montana and the 49ers won their first Super Bowl, taking down Cincinnati, 26-21. Montana had an efficient game, throwing for 157 yards and one touchdown.
Washington dominated in the second half to beat Miami, 27-17, in Super Bowl XVII. The Dolphins were held to only 176 total yards, and John Riggins ran for 166 yards and one touchdown.
Super Bowl MVP Marcus Allen ran through Washington with 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-9 victory. The Raiders defense also picked off Washington quarterback Joe Theismann twice.
Dan Marino had a historic season for the Dolphins, but he wasn't enough to beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl. San Francisco won, 38-16, with Joe Montana throwing for 331 yards and three touchdowns while also running for one more.
The Bears and their historic defense finished off an amazing season with a 46-10 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Richard Dent won MVP, but the most memorable play of the game was William "Refrigerator" Perry's 1-yard touchdown rush in the third quarter.
Head coach Bill Parcells and his Giants came from behind at halftime to beat Denver, 39-20. Phil Simms had a brilliant game, completing 22-of-25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns.
Quarterback Doug Williams starred in a dominant 42-10 Super Bowl win over the Broncos. Williams won MVP after throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns.
Joe Montana built his legend with a game-winning touchdown drive over the Bengals to win Super Bowl XXIII, 20-16. Jerry Rice won MVP after recording 11 catches for 215 yards and one touchdown.
The 49ers imposed their will on the Broncos in a 55-10 win. Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana threw for five touchdowns.
The Giants emerged as 20-19 winners over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXV after Bills kicker Scott Norwood missed a game-winning field goal attempt. New York running back Ottis Anderson won MVP.
Washington went into halftime leading 17-0 over Buffalo and easily won Super Bowl XXVI, 37-24. Mark Rypien was the MVP after throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
Head coach Jimmy Johnson completed his turnaround of the Cowboys, demolishing the Bills, 52-17, in the Super Bowl. Troy Aikman threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the loss, the most memorable player was Buffalo wide receiver Don Beebe forcing a a fumble before Leon Lett could find the end zone for Dallas.
The Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls over the Bills with another easy victory, defeating Buffalo 30-13. It was Buffalo's fourth consecutive Super Bowl loss in four years.
Steve Young "got the monkey off his back" in a dominant 49-26 win over the Chargers. The quarterback had one of the best performances in Super Bowl history, throwing for 325 yards and six touchdowns while also running for 49 yards.
Dallas continued its dynasty with its third Super Bowl victory in four years, beating the Steelers 27-17. Cornerback Larry Brown won MVP after recording two interceptions.
A 99-yard kickoff return by Desmond Howard in the third quarter sealed a 35-21 victory by the Packers over New England in Super Bowl XXXI. Howard won MVP, while Brett Favre threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns.
John Elway finally got his Super Bowl ring, upsetting the Packers, 31-24, in Super Bowl XXXII. Star running back Terrell Davis won Super Bowl MVP after rushing for 157 yards and three scores.
Broncos quarterback John Elway rode off into the sunset with back-to-back Super Bowl victories, defeating the Falcons, 34-19. The quarterback won game MVP.
The Rams defeated the Titans, 23-16, after a tackle by Mike Jones at the end of the game to keep Tennessee out of the end zone. League MVP Kurt Warner capped off his amazing season by winning Super Bowl MVP.
Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis led one of the greatest defenses in NFL history to a 34-7 victory over the Giants, giving the Ravens organization its first Super Bowl win. Baltimore's defense held New York to only 152 total yards.
A great defensive game plan helped the Patriots upset the Rams Greatest Show on Turf in Super Bowl XXXVI. Adam Vinatieri kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired, and young quarterback Tom Brady won MVP.
The Bucs ferocious defense had an easy time with the Raiders in a 48-21 win. Cornerback Dexter Jackson won Super Bowl MVP after recording two interceptions.
Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri booted his second Super Bowl winning field goal in three years, as New England defeated the Panthers 32-29. Tom Brady won MVP after throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns.
New England won its second consecutive Super Bowl and third in four years, beating the Eagles, 24-21. Patriots wideout Deion Branch won Super Bowl MVP.
The Steelers won a low-scoring affair, 21-10, over Seattle. It was a great sendoff for running back Jerome Bettis, and wide receiver Hines Ward won Super Bowl MVP after getting five receptions for 123 yards and one score.
The Colts claimed their first Super Bowl victory since moving to Indianapolis with a 29-17 win over the Bears. Peyton Manning won Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 247 yards and one touchdown.
The Giants pulled off one of the most significant upsets in NFL history, preventing the dominant Patriots from going undefeated with a 17-14 victory. Eli Manning won Super Bowl MVP after orchestrating a late touchdown drive that included a miracle catch by wideout David Tyree.
The Steelers won their record sixth Super Bowl, defeating the Cardinals 27-23 in a thrilling game. Santonio Holmes made the game-winning score at the back of the end zone from Ben Roethlisberger, and the wideout claimed game MVP for his efforts.
The Saints helped the city of New Orleans heal from Hurricane Katrina by upsetting the Colts, 31-17, in Super Bowl XLIV. Saints quarterback Drew Brees won Super Bowl MVP.
The Packers won their fourth Super Bowl, and it was the first win for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who led his team to a 31-25 win over the Steelers. Rodgers won MVP after throwing three touchdowns.
Eli Manning and the Giants prevented the Patriots from winning the Super Bowl for the second time in five years with a 21-17 victory. Manning won his second Super Bowl MVP at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of brother Peyton Manning.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh emerged to beat brother Jim Harbaugh's 49ers in a close 34-31 victory. The game featured a short power outage at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw three touchdowns.
The Seahawks won their first-ever Super Bowl with a terrific performance by their defense, defeating the Broncos 43-8. Seattle held the Denver offense and Peyton Manning in check for nearly the entire game, and linebacker Malcolm Smith won MVP.
New England's fourth Super Bowl victory came via one of the biggest plays in NFL history: an interception of Russell Wilson by Malcolm Butler at the goal line that decided the game. The Patriots won, 28-24, halting Seattle's quest for back-to-back Super Bowl wins, and Tom Brady claimed MVP.
Peyton Manning went out a champion, as the Broncos won their third-overall Super Bowl behind dominant defensive performance. Denver defeated Carolina 24-10, as linebacker Von Miller won MVP.
The Patriots won their fifth Super Bowl, and it was one of the best Super Bowls in history with a miracle 34-28 overtime win over Atlanta. Tom Brady and the Patriots trailed 28-3 in the second half but made a furious comeback with the help of running back James White.
The Cinderella story that was backup quarterback Nick Foles helped the Eagles upset New England to win their first-ever Super Bowl in a high-scoring 41-33 contest. Foles' night was highlighted by a touchdown catch on a play known as the "Philly Special."
Tom Brady and the Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl in 18 years, as they topped the Rams 13-3. Wide receiver Julian Edelman claimed game MVP.
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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