NFC North

Lore & Background

The NFC North traces its roots to the Western Division of the NFL, established in 1933. In 1967, the Western Conference split into two divisions, creating the Central Division with the Bears, Lions, Packers, and Vikings. After the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the Western Conference became the NFC, and the division was styled as the NFC Central. The division's membership remained stable until the Buccaneers joined in 1976 and left in 2002, when the league reorganized to ensure each division had four teams.

The early years were dominated by the Vikings, who won 11 division titles from 1968 to 1980, including six straight from 1973. The Bears took over in the 1980s, winning five consecutive division titles from 1984 to 1988 and a Super Bowl in 1985. The Packers and Vikings then shared success from 1989 to 2010, each winning seven division titles, while the Bears won five, the Lions two, and the Buccaneers one. The Packers won Super Bowls in 1996 and 2010.

From 2011 to 2021, the Packers won the division eight times in eleven seasons. More recently, the division has become competitive again, with each team winning at least once from 2021 to 2025. The Bears are the most recent division champion, winning in 2025. The Vikings hold the record for most division titles with 21.

Reader's Guide

The NFC North is significant for its long-standing rivalries and physical brand of football. The Bears–Packers rivalry, dating to 1921, is one of the oldest in the NFL, and the Lions have played both the Bears and Packers annually for decades. The division's nickname, the "Black and Blue Division," reflects the hard-hitting nature of these matchups. Cold weather has also defined the division, with the Bears and Packers playing in outdoor stadiums while the Lions and Vikings play indoors.

Playoff meetings between division members have been rare. The only NFC Championship Game featuring two current NFC North teams occurred in 2010, when the Packers defeated the Bears. The Packers have faced the Bears three times in the playoffs and have also played the Vikings, Lions, and Buccaneers twice each. The Lions have never faced the Bears or Vikings in the playoffs. The division has also produced several winner-take-all regular-season finales, the first in 1981 when the Buccaneers beat the Lions.

The division's legacy includes four Super Bowl appearances by the Vikings (all losses), a Super Bowl victory by the Bears in 1985, and two Super Bowl wins by the Packers. The NFC North has consistently sent teams to the playoffs, including multiple wild-card entries during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Did You Know?

• The NFC North was originally called the Central Division when formed in 1967.
• The division's nickname, the 'Black and Blue Division,' comes from its intense rivalries and physical play.
• The Bears and Packers have played each other since 1921, making it one of the oldest rivalries in NFL history.