AFC East Division past winners Due to a players strike in 1982 the regular season schedule was reduced to nine games |
| Year | Winner | Regular Season Record |
| 1970 | Baltimore Colts | 11-2-1 |
| 1971 | Miami Dolphins | 10-3-1 |
| 1972 | Miami Dolphins | 14-0-0 |
| 1973 | Miami Dolphins | 12-2-0 |
| 1974 | Miami Dolphins | 11-3-0 |
| 1975 | Baltimore Colts | 10-4-0 |
| 1976 | Baltimore Colts | 11-3-0 |
| 1977 | Baltimore Colts | 10-4-0 |
| 1978 | New England Patriots | 11-5-0 |
| 1979 | Miami Dolphins | 10-6-0 |
| 1980 | Buffalo Bills | 11-5-0 |
| 1981 | Miami Dolphins | 11-4-1 |
| 1982 | Miami Dolphins | 7-2-0 |
| 1983 | Miami Dolphins | 12-4-0 |
| 1984 | Miami Dolphins | 14-2-0 |
| 1985 | Miami Dolphins | 12-4-0 |
| 1986 | New England Patriots | 11-5-0 |
| 1987 | Indianapolis Colts | 9-6-0 |
| 1988 | Buffalo Bills | 12-4-0 |
| 1989 | Buffalo Bills | 9-7-0 |
| 1990 | Buffalo Bills | 13-3-0 |
| 1991 | Buffalo Bills | 13-3-0 |
| 1992 | Miami Dolphins | 11-5-0 |
| 1993 | Buffalo Bills | 12-4-0 |
| 1994 | Miami Dolphins | 10-6-0 |
| 1995 | Buffalo Bills | 10-6-0 |
| 1996 | New England Patriots | 11-5-0 |
| 1997 | New England Patriots< | 10-6-0 |
| 1998 | New York Jets | 12-4-0 |
| 1999 | Indianapolis Colts | 13-3-0 |
| 2000 | Miami Dolphins | 11-5-0 |
| 2001 | New England Patriots | 11-5-0 |
| 2002 | New York Jets | 9-7-0 |
| 2003 | New England Patriots | 14-2-0 |
| 2004 | New England Patriots | 14-2-0 |
| 2005 | New England Patriots | 10-6-0 |
| 2006 | New England Patriots | 12-4-0 |
| 2007 | New England Patriots | 16-0-0 |
| 2008 | Miami Dolphins | 11-5-0 |