NFC North posts best nine-week start in Super Bowl era

The NFC North entered Week 9 with a 25-8 collective record, marking the best start by any division through nine weeks since the 1970 merger. The four teams in the division won all their scheduled games on Sunday, extending their historical run.

The Lions defeated the Dolphins 19-9 in Miami. The Packers beat the Patriots 45-27 in Foxborough. The Bears overcame five turnovers to defeat the Buccaneers 27-24 in a primetime matchup. The Vikings play the Bills on Monday Night Football to complete the slate.

The division currently holds a .757 winning percentage. This figure is equivalent to a 13-win team over a full 17-game season. If the Vikings win on Monday, the division will go 4-0 for the first time this season. Even if they lose, the North will finish Week 9 with the best record of any division through nine weeks in NFL history.

The North has lost five games to divisional rivals and three to outside opponents. The teams are 18-3 against non-divisional opponents, a mark that is currently the best in league history. The 1984 AFC West went 21-4 in the same span, but the current North holds the edge in percentage terms unless Buffalo wins on Monday.

Historical data suggests these dominant divisions often struggle in the postseason. The 1984 AFC West sent three teams to the playoffs, but they combined to win only one playoff game. The 2022 NFC East produced three playoff teams, with the Eagles losing the Super Bowl. The 2020 AFC North and 2007 AFC South also saw their top teams eliminated before the conference championships.

The 2024 NFC North, the most recent comparable group, finished with a 50-20 record against outside teams. They sent three teams to the postseason, but all lost their first-round games by a combined 50 points. The Lions, Vikings, and Packers were eliminated in the wild-card round or first round.

The division has scored nearly 28 points per game against outside opponents. This offensive output has masked the defensive challenges presented by intra-division play. The upcoming Monday Night Football game will determine if the North sets a new single-week record or maintains its historical lead in collective wins.

The Packers, Lions, Bears, and Vikings will remain the top-seeded division in the NFC regardless of Monday's result. The league's structure into eight four-team divisions has made it easier for groups of strong teams to emerge in the 32-team era. The current North represents the first group to achieve this level of consistency in the modern format.