The NFC North division used to be called the Black and Blue division because of tough defenses and bruising running games. Today, that name seems to mean something different, referring to the divisional foes beating up on each other instead of teams outside of the division.
The once feared NFC North has become a division of mediocrity. The three teams leading the division — the Packers, Bears and Vikings, each at 5-5 — are tied for the ninth best record in the NFC and have the 16th best record in the NFL.
In the playoffs, NFC North teams have not made that much impact either. Up until the 2007 season, the division went through a 10-year drought without a team in the Super Bowl, becoming lesser contenders in the NFC.
There are several reasons why the four teams in the North have not fared well against other NFL teams.
There have been 12 new head coaches in the division since 2000, making consistency hard to find. Coupled with a slew of new coordinators, general managers and Matt Millen mistakes have prevented teams from building successful programs.
As the NFC North continues to beat itself up, the Bears, Packers and Vikings find themselves back at the same place they were four weeks ago — in a three-way tie at the top of the division with .500 records.
In fact, three out of the five victories the Bears and Packers have come against division foes.
So far this season, none of the teams have looked playoff worthy. The Bears started off their season well with a win over the Colts. However, the next two games proved their once vaunted defense could not hold a lead for a rejuvenated offense led by Kyle Orton. For a team that prides itself on defense, the “Monsters of the Midway” have looked like harmless cats, especially after the Packers tore them apart last Sunday in their 37-3 loss in Green Bay.
While the Packers looked strong on Sunday — especially with a solid running game — they are going to need to see Ryan Grant and Co. keep it up if they are going to make a run. Until last weekend’s 145-yard performance, Grant had only gone over 100 yards once this season, when he ran for 105 yards against the Colts in week seven.
The third team at the top of the division of mediocrity, the Vikings, seems to have fallen the furthest from their preseason expectations. Going into this year, Minnesota was picked by most experts to win the division, especially with a more stable running game and defense than Chicago and Green Bay.
If the Vikings are going to win the division, they are going to have to be more consistent on both sides of the ball. While Minnesota’s rushing attack is strong with the tandem of Adrian Peterson and backup Chester Taylor, the quarterback situation leaves something to be desired. It will take a virtually perfect Gus Frerotte to keep the Vikings on pace to contend in the division.
After the dust has settled and a winner is declared, what will happen in the playoffs?
None of these teams have a shot at making the wild card, considering there are eight teams in the NFC who have better records than the three co-division leaders, including all four teams from the NFC East.
If any of these teams are going to make the playoffs, they are going to have to do it with a division title.
Once one of the teams of the NFC North limps into the playoffs, the first round playoff game will not be pretty. Most likely, they will have to play the wild card winner from the NFC East, which the three teams are a combined 1-1 against.
Although the postseason picture looks grim for the NFC North, the next six games should make for a very good playoff race. The season may come down to the Dec. 22 matchup between the Packers and Bears on Monday Night Football. The matchup is sure to be intense and, with playoff implications on the line, assures to reignite one of the greatest rivalries in football.
Ben Solochek is a senior majoring in journalism and history. If you think you know how to fix the NFC North, contact him at [email protected].
