Heading into the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions were widely considered to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. After coming close to a Super Bowl appearance in the previous season, the Lions were expected to be one of the top teams in the NFC. However, at the start of the season, they were the only team in the NFC North expected to contend for a championship. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers were not initially seen as serious threats, and many viewed them as fringe playoff teams at best.
But as the season progressed, something remarkable happened. The Lions, Vikings, and Packers kept winning games. The Lions, at 15-2, dominated the NFC North, earning the top spot in the NFC. The Vikings, who finished with a 14-3 record, proved they were more than capable of competing with the league’s best. Even the Packers, led by a new generation of players, finished with an 11-6 record, securing a playoff berth. By the end of the season, it was undeniable—the NFC North was the best division in the NFL.
With a combined record of 40-11, the NFC North had the best record for the top three teams of any division in the league, surpassing even the NFC East, which sent two teams to the playoffs. At this point, it seemed like the NFC North had lived up to its preseason hype.
The Playoff Letdown
However, the reality of the playoffs hit hard for both the Packers and the Vikings. In the Wild Card Round, the Packers were soundly defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 22-10, and the Vikings were dominated by the Los Angeles Rams in a 27-9 loss. With both teams exiting early, only the Detroit Lions remain from the NFC North, leading some to question if the division was really as strong as its regular season record suggested.
Some critics have since labeled the NFC North a “fraud” after the lackluster playoff performances from its teams, but is this assessment fair? While it’s true that only the Lions remain in the playoffs, it’s important to remember that their performance on the field throughout the season was impressive, and their success reflects well on the division as a whole.
The Strength of the Lions
The Lions are far from being a fraud. In fact, they have proven to be one of the most complete teams in the NFC and have a legitimate chance at making a Super Bowl run. Dan Campbell’s squad has been dominant throughout the regular season and continues to represent the NFC North as the last remaining playoff team from the division.
Their performance in the regular season shows just how competitive the NFC North was. The Lions had to battle against a tough Vikings squad (and beat them twice), who ended up with 14 wins, and a Packers team (and beat them twice) that managed to finish 11-6 despite their struggles. In a season where both the Packers and Vikings exceeded expectations, it’s clear that the NFC North was stacked with talent.
The NFC East Comparison
The NFC East may still have sent two teams remaining in the playoffs—Philadelphia and Washington—but it was obvious that the top-heavy NFC North was much stronger as a whole. Philadelphia, despite their impressive regular season, faced minimal competition in their division, and Washington, though a strong team, is nothing to call home about.
When you compare the NFC East to the NFC North, it becomes evident that the NFC North was the tougher division. The Lions’ continued success, along with the impressive showings by the Vikings and Packers, demonstrates the depth of the NFC North in 2024.
Bottom Line
While the Packers and Vikings may have faltered in the postseason, it’s unfair to diminish the strength of the NFC North based on their playoff failures. The division showed its prowess during the regular season, with three teams winning a combined 40 games. The Detroit Lions’ continued success into the playoffs proves that the NFC North is a legitimate powerhouse. The division may only have one team left standing, but that doesn’t negate the impressive performances of the Lions, Vikings, and Packers throughout 2024. The NFC North is still one of the toughest divisions in football, and its future remains bright with the Lions leading the charge.
