In the midst of the current NFL season, one division stands poised to make history – the NFC North. This division is on the verge of achieving something that has never been done before since the NFL realigned its divisions in 2002.
For almost two decades, an entire division has never qualified for the postseason, due to the previous structure of only six teams making it to the playoffs. However, with the recent expansion to seven teams per conference in 2021, the possibility of the entire NFC North making it to the postseason has become a reality.
As we head into Week 8, the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears are all sitting comfortably in playoff spots in the NFC. Detroit currently holds the top seed, while the other three are occupying wild-card spots in that order.
If things continue as they are, the NFC North could make history by becoming the first division in NFL history to send all of its members to the playoffs. This would be an unprecedented feat that showcases the strength of the division as a whole.
Interestingly, this wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen a division send four of its teams to the playoffs. Back in 1994, when the league consisted of 30 teams and most divisions had five teams, the NFC Central achieved this remarkable accomplishment. Surprisingly, the same four teams that are currently in playoff contention this year were the ones that made it back then.
During the 1994 season, the Central division saw the 10-6 Vikings clinch the division and secure the third seed, while the Packers, Bears, and Lions all grabbed wild-card spots at 9-7. The Packers emerged victorious over the Lions in the wild-card round, while the Bears pulled off an upset win against the Vikings. The only team from the NFC Central that missed out on the playoffs that year was the 6-10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As the NFC North teams continue to battle it out on the gridiron, the possibility of all four teams making it to the playoffs looms large. If they can replicate the success of the 1994 NFC Central, the NFC North will cement its place in NFL history as one of the most dominant divisions of all time.
