AFC 70s dominance

[CSKreager]

In the 70s, we all know about the dominance of the AFC (save for Dallas in 1971/1977).

But with most of the damage done by MIA/OAK/PIT (70 Colts and 77 Broncos the exceptions), how much of it was total conference superiority and how much of it was riding the coattails of the Dolphins/Raiders/Steeler?

Hypothetically, how many of the other good AFC teams of that era besides the big 3 could have held their own vs the NFC? Or was the conference basically carried by these 3 teams?

I sometimes wonder if NFC struggles that decade were moreso because of always running into 3 super AFC teams or if it would have been similar vs other AFC teams?

Unlike the late 80s and early 90s when we knew about the gamut of good NFC teams not from the East Division or not named the 49ers/Bears (Vikings, Saints, Eagles), what about this timeframe?

Could some of the other AFC teams have done damage if they were playing in the other conference? Could they have hypothetically been good enough to win the NFC?

1970- would the raiders and cowboys have combined for fewer blunders if OAK got out of the Baltimore dust?

1973- Cincinnati had a great team that got screwed by the playoff format. How truly good were they and could they have held their own vs MIN? If they played in the NFC, could they have fared better out of the shadow of what many consider Shula’s greatest team.

1974- this was the peak of MIA/OAK/PIT dominance, but there was a 9-5 Bills team that made the playoffs. Do they hold their own vs NFC?

1975- there were 2 very good 10+ win Oiler/Bengal teams and a Buffalo Bills squad that scored the most points in the decade . Hypothetically, could they have fared well against the dirty dozen cowboys? Or win the NFC?

1976- the Patriots. could they have won the NFC if they played different teams?

All 3 division winning Bert jones Colts teams.

How many of these other teams could have held their own vs a MIN/DAL? If they didn’t have to deal with the AFC’s big three? Could they have won the NFC?

[7DnBrnc53]

1976- the Patriots. could they have won the NFC if they played different teams?

I really believe they could have. That year, they were one of the two best teams in football (along with the Steelers).

1973- Cincinnati had a great team that got screwed by the playoff format. How truly good were they and could they have held their own vs MIN? If they played in the NFC, could they have fared better out of the shadow of what many consider Shula’s greatest team.

Cincinnati beat Minnesota 27-0 that year, but the Vikes didn't have anything to play for (they were 10-1 going into the game). Bob Berry got some work at QB that day. Also, in Week 8, they played @Dallas and lost 38-10.

[JuggernautJ]

I know it's old hat (and perhaps bordering on sour grapes) but it does bear mentioning that the Colts (1970) and Steelers ('74, et al) were both NFL teams before the merger (when they jumped to the AFC).
Had the "lions, falcons and bears" gone over to the AFC the record might not be so construed...