Why The NFC Now Runs Through The North

Every NFL season, one division manages to distinguish itself from the other seven divisions. It may involve multiple teams with over 10 wins, or even three teams in the playoffs. This year, one division has accomplished both feats. The NFC North has ascended into football's toughest division with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers all notching at least 10 wins. They are not only the class of the division, but of the entire NFC as all three clinched a playoff spot well before the season’s end. This is how the NFC North, with the exception of the Bears, became the division no one wants to play. 

For the Detroit Lions, their journey resulted from a head coaching change, a timely trade, and great drafting. Head coach Dan Campbell took over a team that was in need of a rebuild. Dealing longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff and multiple first round picks emphasized the team’s objective towards a makeover. While the early results weren’t promising, the Lions are now regarded as a Super Bowl contender four years after hiring Campbell. Thanks to his aggressive and hard-nosed approach, the Lions have set a franchise record for the most wins in a season (14) with a shot at the NFC’s one seed. 

Goff has particularly been a focal point of the Lions’ rebuild. He went from possibly losing his job as a starter, to leading a juggernaut offense that involves playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery. This season has seen Goff unlock his true ceiling as the number one pick with career highs in almost every passing category. 

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While Goff may be Detroit’s most valuable player, they assembled the majority of their roster through draft picks. In almost every round, they hit on early picks such as Penei Sewell and Aiden Hutchenson, Day 2 choices in Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta, and even late round selections like St. Brown. Some of their homegrown talent can be attributed to extra draft capital the team got when they traded Stafford, but most of it is due to the organization’s tremendous talent evaluation.

The Minnesota Vikings have been the most surprising team of this group. Unlike Detroit, Minnesota’s success has come through their free agents, with Sam Darnold being their most significant addition. Darnold - who was supposed to be a bridge quarterback while rookie JJ McCarthey developed - has emerged as this year’s feel-good story. After three different stops, Darnold has never looked more like the number three pick he was drafted as back in 2018. 

Darnold's connection with wide receiver Justin Jefferson has grown into one of the deadliest combinations. His play is a huge reason why the VIkings have overachieved with 14 wins. O'Connell especially deserves credit for Darnold's resurgence as he's solidified himself among the league's top coaches.

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Darnold is not the only newcomer to make a difference for Minnesota. The Vikings arguably had the best free agency with a solid portion of their contributors coming through free agency. Darnold and Jefferson have boosted Minnesota’s passing attack into one of the league’s elite, while free agent running back Aaron Jones has provided a complementary run-game. 

Defensively, free agents Andrew Van Ginkel and Johnathan Greenard have emerged as the newest Purple People Eaters. They’ve accounted for a combined 22 out of Minnesota’s 47 sacks in Brian Floras’ blitz-heavy scheme. 

Of the three teams leading the NFC North, Green Bay has remained a staple in the division. Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love have continued to build off a promising 2023 campaign. Love has continued to establish himself as Green Bay’s newest franchise quarterback after taking over for Aaron Rodgers last season. While he hasn't had a MVP caliber season like some expected, he has proceeded to keep the Packers in Super Bowl contention. His 25 touchdowns without a true number one receiver make for an efficient passing offense.

However, most of Green Bay's offensive production has come through the running game, thanks to newly signed running back Josh Jacobs. The defense, which was once considered a weak link, has now turned into a brick wall. They’ve dramatically improved in both total and rushing yards allowed, along with turnovers.

Both of these upgrades can be attributed to free agency. Signing running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney to big contracts were risky given they almost made the 2023 NFC Championship Game. I initially thought they would've been better off returning the same roster, but both of them have been gifts that keep on giving. Jacobs' power and agility are a perfect fit in LaFleur's run-heavy scheme. McKinney has helped turn Green Bay's defense into one of the stingiest units with seven interceptions.

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It is highly surprising that one particular division is this good. This is the fifth straight year where three teams from the same division made the playoffs. It’s rare however that they’re all legitimate contenders. Every team’s point differential is above 120 which has never happened since the NFL’s division realignment in 2002. Winning the NFC this season will require going up North.​