The NFL can be wild, and this year is no different. In 2020, they introduced a seventh seed, giving more teams a shot at making the playoffs. While it hasn’t equated to much, history could be in the making. The NFC North has quickly become the top divisions in the NFL, with all four teams above a .667 winning percentage. If the four teams continue to dominate, the NFC North playoff odds will tip in their favor, potentially making them the first division in NFL history to have all four teams qualify for the playoffs.
The NFC North is a combined 17-5 (.773) this season.
It's the first time in NFL history a division has had a .750+ combined winning percentage through Week 6 or a later week in a season.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 13, 2024
NFC North Playoff Odds: Will All Four Teams Make History?
The playoffs are a long way away, but regardless, all four teams in the NFC North are legitimate threats. Leading the division, the Minnesota Vikings boast a staggering 5-0 record and look virtually unstoppable. Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores has turned the defense into a ferocious unit, with quarterback Brock Purdy telling him, “Your scheme is crazy” after the Vikings defeated the San Francisco 49ers. The other NFC North teams also put on a show in Week 6, each scoring over 30 points while holding their opponents under 20. There could be a scenario where all three wildcard spots are taken by NFC North teams.
Exploring What Sets the NFC North Apart
Looking deeper at the NFC, there’s not a lot of competition outside the NFC North. Teams like the Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, and Atlanta Falcons will likely win the division, with the Philadephia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Seattle Seahawks keeping it a close-fought fight. However, will those teams who miss out on a division title have a better record than the teams in the NFC North? Time will tell.
Here’s another compelling statistic: the four highest point differentials in the league belong to the NFC North. The Vikings lead with +63, followed by the Lions at +60, the Bears at +47, and the Packers at +41. No other NFC team currently has a point differential above +37.
Taking it a step further and comparing the division as a whole, the NFC North boasts a combined +211 point differential, while the NFC East sits at +8, the NFC South at -29, and the NFC West at -47 (excluding Week 6’s Sunday Night Football matchup). It is just an unreal statistical measure showing the difference in play between the NFC North and the other NFC divisions. Not to mention, it’s the first time since 2002 that all four teams in the NFC North have at least four wins through six weeks.
Setting the Order in the North
So far, only one game has been played between NFC North teams, with the Vikings edging out the Packers 31-29 in Week 4. It will be a bloodbath in the NFC North, with most divisional games to be played in the second half of the season. Only then will the NFL world start to understand who the leader of the pack is and who might fall short. At the moment, all four teams look playoff-bound and legit contenders in the NFC. It comes down to which team will squeeze out victories, continue to put up numbers on offense and shut down opponents on defense. While rooting for divisional rivals isn’t common, hoping for the entire division to make the playoffs and make history might not be such a bad thing.
Main Image: William Glasheen – USA Today Sports
