• The Dallas Cowboys begin play in the Eastern Conference.
• The Oakland Raiders are awarded an AFL franchise.
• The Chicago Cardinals moved to St. Louis.
• The AFL begins league play.

1961

• The Minnesota Vikings begin play in the Western Conference.
• The Los Angeles Chargers move to San Diego.

1963

• The New York Titans Changed their name to the Jets.
• The Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City and changed their name to the Chiefs.

1966

• The Atlanta Falcons begin play in the Eastern Division.
• The Miami Dolphins begin play in the Eastern Division.
• The NFL and AFL merge with plans to go to a two-conference, four-division league.

1967

• The New Orleans Saints begin play in the Eastern Conference.
• The Atlanta Falcons are moved to the Western Conference.

Here's how the conferences and divisions are aligned:

Eastern Conference
Capitol Division
• Dallas Cowboys
• New Orleans Saints
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Redskins

Century Division
• Cleveland Browns
• New York Giants
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• St. Louis Cardinals

Western Conference
Central Division
• Chicago Bears
• Detroit Lions
• Green Bay Packers
• Minnesota Vikings

Costal Division
• Atlanta Falcons
• Baltimore Colts
• Los Angeles Rams
• San Francisco 49ers

1968

• The Cincinnati Bengals began play in the AFL's Western Division.
• The New York Giants moved to the Capitol Division.
• The New Orleans Saints moved to the Century Division.

1969

• The New York Giants moved back to the Century Division.
• The New Orleans Saints moved back to the Capitol Division.