Jump to content

NFC North

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NFC North
Formerly
ConferenceNational Football Conference (NFC)
LeagueNational Football League (NFL)
SportAmerican football
Founded1967
No. of teams4
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion
Chicago Bears
(2025)
Most titlesMinnesota Vikings (21)
Current sports event 2026 NFL season

The NFC North (formerly known as the Western Conference Central Division and the NFC Central) is one of the four divisions of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed the "Black and Blue Division" for the intense and longstanding rivalry games between the teams, it currently has four members: the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were members from 1977 to 2001 before a league-wide reorganization moved the team to the NFC South. The division was originally formed in 1967 as part of the Western Conference and was called the Central Division. With the completion of the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the Western Conference was renamed to the National Football Conference (NFC), with the Central Division retaining its name and styled as the NFC Central. In 2002, the division was renamed to the NFC North. Excluding a dominant period by the Bears in the 1980s, the division has consistently been won by the Vikings and Packers, who have 21 and 17 division titles, respectively. The most recent winner of the division was the Bears in the 2025 NFL season.

History

[edit]

The NFC North traces its history back to the Western Division of the NFL, which was formed in 1933 alongside the Eastern Division.[note 1] From 1933 to 1966, the winners of these divisions played each other in the NFL Championship Game to determine that season's champion.[9] In 1967, the NFL split the Western Division (which had been renamed to the Western Conference) into two divisions, with the winner of the newly-formed Central Division playing the winner of the Coastal Division for the right to play in the championship game.[6] With the completion of the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the Western Conference was renamed to the National Football Conference (NFC) while the Central Division retained its name.[7] This created a multi-round playoff system, with teams playing in a "divisional round" and a "conference championship round" to determine who played in the championship game, which was retroactively called the Super Bowl.[10][11] In 2002, the division was renamed to the NFC North.[8]

Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
210km
130miles
Vikings
Packers
Lions
Bears
The location of the teams in the NFC North.

When the Central Division was formed in 1967, it included the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.[6] The Bears and Packers were members of the NFL from its early years (1920 and 1921, respectively), while the Lions entered the league in 1930 and the Vikings in 1960.[12] All four teams were members of the same division or conference from their formation until 1966.[5][13][14][15] As part of the AFL–NFL merger, the league reorganized its conference and division make-up, and agreed to expand from 24 teams to 28 over the next few years.[16][17] The Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to be part of the American Football Conference (AFC) with the 10 AFL teams, while the remaining 13 teams formed the NFC. The AFC teams quickly agreed to being split into three divisions, however NFC teams could not come to an agreement. The final make-up of the divisions in the NFC were decided by random drawing by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle's secretary from five options, as the teams could not come to an agreement.[16] In 1976, the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the NFL as expansion teams.[18] The Buccaneers were added to the NFC Central, where they would play until 2001.[19] In 2002, as part of a larger league reorganization that included another expansion team (the Houston Texans), the Buccaneers were moved to the newly formed NFC South to ensure the league's eight divisions each had four teams.[8] This reorganization also allowed the NFL to standardize the development of the schedule. Out of a total of 16 games, six would be division rivalry games, four would be against another division in the same conference, four would be against another division in the other conference, and two would be against intraconference opponents based on the prior year's standings (e.g. first place teams would be first place teams, second place would be second place, and so on). This ensured that each team would play each other at least every four years.[20] The NFL added a 17th game in 2021, which would be an interconference opponent again based on the prior year's standings.[21]

Although the Packers were the first winners of the NFC North in 1967 and the eventual Super Bowl champions that season, the early years of the division were dominated by the Vikings.[22][23] From 1968 to 1980, the Vikings were division winners 11 out of 14 seasons, including six straight starting in 1973, the record for consecutive division championships in the NFC North.[23] The Vikings made the Super Bowl as NFC champions four times in this period, although they lost all four Super Bowls.[5] The 1980s were dominated by the Bears, who led the division five straight seasons from 1984 to 1988,[23] including a Super Bowl victory in 1985.[24] The 1980s included the 1982 NFL season, which was shortened by a strike.[25] The Packers had the best record in the division that year, however because the season was reduced to nine games, division standings were suspended and standings were based on conference alone, with eight teams from each conference making the postseason.[26][25] Another strike in 1987 led to the use of replacement players and one game being cancelled, but otherwise did not impact division standings.[27]

During the 1990s and early 2000s, the division was fairly competitive: from 1989 to 2010, the Packers and Vikings each won the division seven times, while the Bears won it five times, the Lions twice, and the Buccaneers once.[23] The NFC North also sent at least one team to the playoffs as a Wild Card selection 13 seasons during this time period.[note 2] The Packers saw the most postseason success in the 1990s and early 2000s, winning two Super Bowls (in 1996 and 2010) and losing another, while the Bears also made the Super Bowl in 2006 but lost.[28][29] The year after their Super Bowl victory in 2010, the Packers began a period of sustained success in the division, winning the NFC North eight times in eleven seasons. More recently, the division has returned to competitiveness, with each team winning the division at least once in a five-year period from 2021 to 2025. The most recent division champion was the Bears in the 2025 NFL season, while the Vikings have the most division titles at 21.[23]

Culture

[edit]
The Lions versus the Packers playing on a football field.
The Bears versus the Vikings on a football field.
The Lions versus Packers (top) and Bears versus Vikings (bottom) highlight two of the many defining rivalries in the NFC North.

Nicknamed the "Black and Blue Division", the NFC North is known for physical style of play, historic rivalries, and cold weather games.[30][23][31] Although the division included the Buccaneers (who play in Florida) for over 30 years, the four current members of the division are all located in northern cities that experience cold and snowy winters.[19][32] The Bears and Packers still play in outdoor stadiums (Soldier Field and Lambeau Field), while the Lions and the Vikings both play indoors at Ford Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, respectively.[33] By 1932, three of the four current NFC North teams had entered the NFL: the Bears, Packers, and Lions.[34] Because the teams have played against each other for so long, strong rivalries have developed across the division.[31][35] This includes the Bears–Packers rivalry, which is one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in NFL history, having started in 1921 and featuring over 200 games.[36][37][38] The Bears and Lions have played each other at least once a season since 1930, while the Lions and Packers have met at least twice a season every year since 1932.[39][40] The 1982 strike prevented the Bears and Packers from playing each other that season, while a strike in 1987 cancelled one game between the Lions and Bears.[37][note 3]

Notable games

[edit]

Despite playing each other twice every season, NFC North members have rarely played each other in the playoffs, with most match-ups having occurred in the Wild Card round.[note 4] The only conference championship game to include two current members of the NFC North was in 2010 when the Packers beat the Bears 21–14 to advance to Super Bowl XLV (the Packers and Buccaneers played in the 2020 NFC Championship Game, although this occurred almost two decades after the Buccaneers had been moved to the NFC South).[note 4][51][52][19] Prior to the creation of conferences, the Bears and Packers met in the 1941 NFL playoffs, with the Bears 33–14 victory advancing them to the 1941 NFL Championship Game.[53] The Lions have never faced the Bears or Vikings in the playoffs,[39][44] while the Bears and Vikings have only met once.[45] The Packers have played the Bears three times in the playoffs;[38] they have also faced the Vikings,[46] Lions,[40] and Buccaneers twice each[47] (as noted, the aforementioned 2020 NFC Championship Game did not occur while the Buccaneers were in the NFC North).[19] The Buccaneers have never played the Bears, Lions, or Vikings in the playoffs.[48][49][50]

Although not formally a playoff game, on seven occasions the last game of the season has included a match-up where the winner would be crowned NFC North champion. The first instance of this winner-take-all game occurred in 1981, with the Buccaneers beating the Lions 20–17.[54] In 1993, the Lions and Packers met during the last game of the season, with the Lions' victory giving them the division championship, although the Packers still made the playoffs as a Wild Card team (as did the Vikings).[55][56] Over a four season period from 2013 to 2016, the NFC North was decided each year by a winner-take-all game at the end of the season. All four games included the Packers, who beat the Bears in 2013,[57] and the Lions in 2014 and 2016;[58][59] the Vikings beat the Packers in 2015.[60] Excluding 2013, the loser of those winner-take-all games still made the postseason as a Wild Card team.[61][62][63] Most recently, the Lions beat the Vikings the last game of the year in 2024 to not only secure the division title, but also the first seed in the playoffs and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.[64]

Results

[edit]

Team success

[edit]
Team success
Team Years in
division		 Playoff
berths		 Division
championships		 NFC Championship Game
appearances		 Super Bowl
appearances		 Super Bowl
wins		 Refs
1967–present 17 12 5 2 1 [65]
14 5 2 0 0 [66]
28 17 10 5 4 [67]
32 21 10 4 0 [68]
1977–2001 7 3 2 0 0 [69]

Season-by-season

[edit]
Table legend
Super Bowl champions ‡ Conference champions * Division champions ^ Wild card berth #
NFC North yearly standings and team records
Season Team (record) Notes Refs
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Western Conference Central Division
1967 Green Bay (9–4–1) ‡ Chicago (7–6–1) Detroit (5–7–2) Minnesota (3–8–3) The NFL split the Western Conference into two divisions, with the winner of the Central Division playing the winner of the Coastal Division for the right to play in the NFL Championship.[70] [70]
1968 Minnesota (8–6) ^ Chicago (7–7) Green Bay (6–7–1) Detroit (4–8–2) [71]
1969 Minnesota (12–2) * Detroit (9–4–1) Green Bay (8–6) Chicago (1–13) [72]
NFC Central Division
1970 Minnesota (12–2) ^ Detroit (10–4) # Green Bay (6–8) Chicago (6–8) With the completion of the AFL–NFL merger, the Bears, Lions, Packers, and Vikings were placed into the Central Division of the National Football Conference (NFC).[73] [74]
1971 Minnesota (11–3) ^ Detroit (7–6–1) Chicago (6–8) Green Bay (4–8–2) [75]
1972 Green Bay (10–4) ^ Detroit (8–5–1) Minnesota (7–7) Chicago (4–9–1) [76]
1973 Minnesota (12–2) * Detroit (6–7–1) Green Bay (5–7–2) Chicago (3–11) [77]
1974 Minnesota (10–4) * Detroit (7–7) Green Bay (6–8) Chicago (4–10) [78]
1975 Minnesota (12–2) ^ Detroit (7–7) Chicago (4–10) Green Bay (4–10) [79]
1976 Minnesota (11–2–1) * Chicago (7–7) Detroit (6–8) Green Bay (5–9) [80]
1977 Minnesota (9–5) ^ Chicago (9–5) # Detroit (6–8) Green Bay (4–10) Tampa Bay (2–12) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks entered the NFL as expansion teams.[81] The Buccaneers were placed in the NFC Central.[19] [82]
1978 Minnesota (8–7–1) ^ Green Bay (8–7–1) Detroit (7–9) Chicago (7–9) Tampa Bay (5–11) [83]
1979 Tampa Bay (10–6) ^ Chicago (10–6) # Minnesota (7–9) Green Bay (5–11) Detroit (2–14) [84]
1980 Minnesota (9–7) ^ Detroit (9–7) Chicago (7–9) Tampa Bay (5–10–1) Green Bay (5–10–1) [85]
1981 Tampa Bay (9–7) ^ Detroit (8–8) Green Bay (8–8) Minnesota (7–9) Chicago (6–10) [86]
1982 Green Bay (5–3–1) # Minnesota (5–4) # Tampa Bay (5–4) # Detroit (4–5) # Chicago (3–6) The NFL season was shortened to nine games by a strike, with divisions temporarily suspended and standings based on conference alone.[87] [88]
1983 Detroit (9–7) ^ Green Bay (8–8) Chicago (8–8) Minnesota (8–8) Tampa Bay (2–14) [89]
1984 Chicago (10–6) ^ Green Bay (8–8) Tampa Bay (6–10) Detroit (4–11–1) Minnesota (3–13) [90]
1985 Chicago (15–1) ‡ Green Bay (8–8) Minnesota (7–9) Detroit (7–9) Tampa Bay (2–14) [91]
1986 Chicago (14–2) ^ Minnesota (9–7) Detroit (5–11) Green Bay (4–12) Tampa Bay (2–14) [92]
1987 Chicago (11–4) ^ Minnesota (8–7) # Green Bay (5–9–1) Tampa Bay (4–11) Detroit (4–11) The strike of 1987 reduced the regular season from 16 to 15 games.[93] [94]
1988 Chicago (12–4) ^ Minnesota (11–5) # Tampa Bay (5–11) Detroit (4–12) Green Bay (4–12) [95]
1989 Minnesota (10–6) ^ Green Bay (10–6) Detroit (7–9) Chicago (6–10) Tampa Bay (5–11) [96]
1990 Chicago (11–5) ^ Tampa Bay (6–10) Detroit (6–10) Green Bay (6–10) Minnesota (6–10) [97]
1991 Detroit (12–4) ^ Chicago (11–5) # Minnesota (8–8) Green Bay (4–12) Tampa Bay (3–13) [98]
1992 Minnesota (11–5) ^ Green Bay (9–7) Tampa Bay (5–11) Chicago (5–11) Detroit (5–11) [99]
1993 Detroit (10–6) ^ Minnesota (9–7) # Green Bay (9–7) # Chicago (7–9) Tampa Bay (5–11) [56]
1994 Minnesota (10–6) ^ Green Bay (9–7) # Detroit (9–7) # Chicago (9–7) # Tampa Bay (6–10) [100]
1995 Green Bay (11–5) ^ Detroit (10–6) # Chicago (9–7) Minnesota (8–8) Tampa Bay (7–9) [101]
1996 Green Bay (13–3) ‡ Minnesota (9–7) # Chicago (7–9) Tampa Bay (6–10) Detroit (5–11) [102]
1997 Green Bay (13–3) * Tampa Bay (10–6) # Detroit (9–7) # Minnesota (9–7) # Chicago (4–12) [103]
1998 Minnesota (15–1) ^ Green Bay (11–5) # Tampa Bay (8–8) Detroit (5–11) Chicago (4–12) [104]
1999 Tampa Bay (11–5) ^ Minnesota (10–6) # Detroit (8–8) # Green Bay (8–8) Chicago (6–10) [105]
2000 Minnesota (11–5) ^ Tampa Bay (10–6) # Green Bay (9–7) Detroit (9–7) Chicago (5–11) [106]
2001 Chicago (13–3) ^ Green Bay (12–4) # Tampa Bay (9–7) # Minnesota (5–11) Detroit (2–14) [107]
NFC North Division
2002 Green Bay (12–4) ^ Minnesota (6–10) Chicago (4–12) Detroit (3–13) The NFL realigned to create four divisions in both conferences with four teams in each division, with the NFC Central being renamed the NFC North. The Buccaneers moved to the NFC South.[8] [108]
2003 Green Bay (10–6) ^ Minnesota (9–7) Chicago (7–9) Detroit (5–11) [109]
2004 Green Bay (10–6) ^ Minnesota (8–8) # Detroit (6–10) Chicago (5–11) [110]
2005 Chicago (11–5) ^ Minnesota (9–7) Detroit (5–11) Green Bay (4–12) [111]
2006 Chicago (13–3) * Green Bay (8–8) Minnesota (6–10) Detroit (3–13) [112]
2007 Green Bay (13–3) ^ Minnesota (8–8) Detroit (7–9) Chicago (7–9) [113]
2008 Minnesota (10–6) ^ Chicago (9–7) Green Bay (6–10) Detroit (0–16) [114]
2009 Minnesota (12–4) ^ Green Bay (11–5) # Chicago (7–9) Detroit (2–14) [115]
2010 Chicago (11–5) Green Bay (10–6) ‡ Detroit (6–10) Minnesota (6–10) [116]
2011 Green Bay (15–1) ^ Detroit (10–6) # Chicago (8–8) Minnesota (3–13) [117]
2012 Green Bay (11–5) ^ Minnesota (10–6) # Chicago (10–6) Detroit (4–12) [118]
2013 Green Bay (8–7–1) ^ Chicago (8–8) Detroit (7–9) Minnesota (5–10–1) [119]
2014 Green Bay (12–4) ^ Detroit (11–5) # Minnesota (7–9) Chicago (5–11) [61]
2015 Minnesota (11–5) ^ Green Bay (10–6) # Detroit (7–9) Chicago (6–10) [62]
2016 Green Bay (10–6) ^ Detroit (9–7) # Minnesota (8–8) Chicago (3–13) [63]
2017 Minnesota (13–3) ^ Detroit (9–7) Green Bay (7–9) Chicago (5–11) [120]
2018 Chicago (12–4) ^ Minnesota (8–7–1) Green Bay (6–9–1) Detroit (6–10) [121]
2019 Green Bay (13–3) ^ Minnesota (10–6) # Chicago (8–8) Detroit (3–12–1) [122]
2020 Green Bay (13–3) ^ Chicago (8–8) # Minnesota (7–9) Detroit (5–11) [123]
2021 Green Bay (13–4) ^ Minnesota (8–9) Chicago (6–11) Detroit (3–13–1) The NFL expanded its season from 16 to 17 games a year.[124] [125]
2022 Minnesota (13–4) ^ Detroit (9–8) Green Bay (8–9) Chicago (3–14) [126]
2023 Detroit (12–5) ^ Green Bay (9–8) # Minnesota (7–10) Chicago (7–10) [127]
2024 Detroit (15–2) ^ Minnesota (14–3) # Green Bay (11–6) # Chicago (5–12) [128]
2025 Chicago (11–6) ^ Green Bay (9–7–1) # Minnesota (9–8) Detroit (9–8) [129]
2026 Chicago (0–0) Detroit (0–0) Green Bay (0–0) Minnesota (0–0) [130]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ In 1933, the NFL split into two divisions known as the Eastern Division and Western Division; the Western Division included the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Portsmouth Spartans (who were renamed to the Detroit Lions in 1934).[1][2] In 1950, the divisions were renamed to the American Conference and National Conference, with the National Conference still including the Packers, Bears, and Lions.[3] In 1953, the conferences were again renamed, this time to the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, with the Western Conference still including the Packers, Bears, and Lions.[4] In 1961, the Minnesota Vikings entered the NFL and were placed in the Western Conference.[5] In 1967, the Western Conference was split into two divisions: the newly formed Central Division included the Packers, Bears, Lions, and Vikings.[6] In 1970, the Western Conference was renamed to the National Football Conference.[7] Finally, in 2002, the Central Division was renamed to the NFC North with the Packers, Bears, Lions, and Vikings.[8]
  2. ↑ The NFC North had at least one team make the playoffs as a Wild Card in 1991, 1993 to 2001, 2004, 2009, and 2010; see the season-by-season results table.
  3. ↑ When the 1987 game between the Lions and Bears was cancelled, the Detroit Free Press stated that the game "was called off, to be played after the strike or cancelled completely".[41] The game, as was all Week 3 match-ups, was ultimately cancelled and not played.[42][43]
  4. 1 2 NFC North teams have faced each other in the postseason 10 times; of these 10 games, 6 occurred in the Wild Card round, 2 in the divisional round, and 2 in the conference championship round.[39][44][45][46][40][47][48][49][50][38]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Ray, Jake (July 8, 2026). "Moments in NFL History: Birth of NFL Playoffs". ProFootballHoF.com. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  2. ↑ Burke, Chris (October 14, 2019). "In Portsmouth, Ohio, birthplace of the Detroit Lions, a piece of football history endures". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  3. ↑ "National Football Loop Admits Belatedly It Gobbled Up AAC". Wisconsin State Journal (clipping). Associated Press. March 5, 1950. p. 2 (Section 4). Retrieved July 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "NFL Grid Owners Take Eleven Hours To Agree On Schedule". The Ottawa Citizen (clipping). January 26, 1953. p. 19. Retrieved July 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 3 "Minnesota Vikings Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Packers Open at Home Sept. 17 with Detroit". The Journal Times (clipping). Associated Press. April 18, 1967. p. 13A. Retrieved July 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 Couch, Dick (January 17, 1970). "Most Satisfied With Pro Alignment". Stevens Point Journal (clipping). Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved July 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "New alignment takes effect in 2002". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 22, 2001. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  9. ↑ "NFL Champions 1920-2024". ProFootballHoF.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  10. ↑ Mayer, Larry (March 17, 2020). "History of how NFL playoffs have expanded". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  11. ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (February 1, 2025). "Why is it called the Super Bowl? How name of NFL's signature game was birthed by child's toy, Lamar Hunt's wit". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  12. ↑ Jenkins, Keith (September 3, 2025). "When were NFL teams created? Key years to know". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Chicago Bears Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Green Bay Packers Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Detroit Lions Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Anderson, Dave (February 27, 2000). "Sports of The Times; The Woman Who Aligned the N.F.C. Teams". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  17. ↑ Rathet, Mike (June 9, 1966). "Peace Seen As Win for Both Leagues". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). Associated Press. p. 21. Retrieved July 19, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ Amdur, Neil (October 18, 1976). "Seahawks Beat Bucs; Penalties Near Record". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tampa Bay Buccaneers Franchise Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  20. ↑ "New NFL alignment created for 2002". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 22, 2001. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  21. ↑ Graziano, Dan (March 30, 2021). "NFL moves to 17-game regular season in 2021: What it means for teams, players, revenue and fans". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  22. ↑ Kopydlowski, Nolan (December 31, 2025). "December 31, 1967 - The Green Bay Packers defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the Ice Bowl". WSAW.com. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NFC North Champions: Complete list of winners by year". FoxSports.com. August 28, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ Greenberg, Steve (September 4, 2025). "40 years later: A look back at the 1985 Super Bowl Bears". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on February 21, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  25. 1 2 Pasquarelli, Les (September 21, 2007). "Lengthy strike has mostly been forgotten". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  26. ↑ "1982 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  27. ↑ "NFL labor history since 1968". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  28. ↑ Kruse, Zach (July 7, 2023). "The All-Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers team". USAToday.com. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Here's how many Super Bowls the Bears have played in, and won". NBCChicago.com. February 9, 2025. Archived from the original on January 19, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Division Quest: NFC Central". ESPN The Magazine. Vol. 4, no. 18. September 3, 2001. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  31. 1 2 Patra, Kevin (June 23, 2026). "NFC North in 2026: Case for/against the Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings to win division". NFL.com. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  32. ↑ Brown, Justine (November 29, 2011). "The NFL's 5 Worst Cold-Weather Teams". BleacherReport.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  33. ↑ "List of Indoor and Outdoor NFL Stadiums: How Many NFL Stadiums Are Domes?". ProFootballNetwork.com. December 25, 2025. Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Oldest NFL Teams: Full list of the first NFL franchises". FoxSports.com. September 23, 2025. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  35. ↑ Campbell, Dave (August 27, 2025). "NFC North rivalries still roaring heading into 2025 season". Fox11Online.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  36. ↑ John McTigue, John (June 6, 2016). "Packers-Bears: The NFL's Greatest Rivalry". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  37. 1 2 Christl, Cliff (November 19, 2015). "Cliff Notes: NFL's most storied rivalry". Packers.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2026. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  38. 1 2 3 "Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  39. 1 2 3 "Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  40. 1 2 3 "Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  41. ↑ Sylvester, Curt (September 28, 1987). "Even picketing Lions stay home on a Sunday with no fans, no fun". Detroit Free Press (clipping). p. 1E. Retrieved July 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ Krest, Shawn (April 20, 2020). "Uncanceled: The 1987 football strike". North State Journal. Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  43. ↑ "1987 Chicago Bears Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  44. 1 2 "Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  45. 1 2 "Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  46. 1 2 "Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  47. 1 2 "Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  48. 1 2 "Minnesota Vikings vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  49. 1 2 "Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  50. 1 2 "Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers". FootballDB.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  51. ↑ Dougherty, Pete (January 24, 2011). "Packers Ride 'D' to Dallas". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. 5. Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ↑ "Road warriors: Bucs win 31-26 at Green Bay, reach Super Bowl". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  53. ↑ Pagel, Ray (December 15, 1941). "Bears Trim Packers, 33-14, to Win Western Division Title". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). p. 15. Retrieved July 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ "Doug Williams gets Yule wish". The Post-Crescent (clipping). Associated Press. December 21, 1981. p. D-1. Retrieved July 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ Atkins, Harry (January 3, 1994). "Lions defeat Pack, 30-20". The Evening Telegram (clipping). Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved July 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. 1 2 "1993 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  57. ↑ Radcliffe, JR (May 2, 2020). "A look back at the 2013 Packers finale, when Randall Cobb was wide open for thrilling finish against Bears". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  58. ↑ "Aaron Rodgers, Packers win fourth straight NFC North title". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 29, 2014. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Rodgers-led Packers beat Lions 31-24 to win NFC North". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 1, 2017. Archived from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Vikings take NFC North, hold on to beat Packers 20-13". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 4, 2016. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  61. 1 2 "2014 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  62. 1 2 "2015 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  63. 1 2 "2016 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  64. ↑ Kownack, Bobby (January 5, 2025). "Lions clinch NFC's No. 1 seed, first-round bye with win over Vikings on Sunday night". NFL.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Chicago Bears Playoff History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  66. ↑ "Detroit Lions Playoff History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  67. ↑ "Green Bay Packers Playoff History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  68. ↑ "Minnesota Vikings Playoff History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  69. ↑ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers Playoff History". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  70. 1 2 "1967 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  71. ↑ "1968 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  72. ↑ "1969 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  73. ↑ "Secretary solves pro grid hassle". Beaver County Times. UPI. January 17, 1970. p. B3. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023 – via Google News.
  74. ↑ "1970 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  75. ↑ "1971 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  76. ↑ "1972 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  77. ↑ "1973 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  78. ↑ "1974 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  79. ↑ "1975 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  80. ↑ "1976 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  81. ↑ Amdur, Neil (October 18, 1976). "Seahawks Beat Bucs; Penalties Near Record". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  82. ↑ "1977 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  83. ↑ "1978 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  84. ↑ "1979 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  85. ↑ "1980 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  86. ↑ "1981 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  87. ↑ Fittipaldo, Ray (March 30, 2012). "NFL Labor: History shows team unity during a work stoppage is harbinger of later success". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  88. ↑ "1982 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  89. ↑ "1983 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  90. ↑ "1984 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  91. ↑ "1985 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  92. ↑ "1986 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  93. ↑ "NFL labor history since 1968". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  94. ↑ "1987 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  95. ↑ "1988 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  96. ↑ "1989 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  97. ↑ "1990 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  98. ↑ "1991 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  99. ↑ "1992 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  100. ↑ "1994 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  101. ↑ "1995 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  102. ↑ "1996 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  103. ↑ "1997 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  104. ↑ "1998 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  105. ↑ "1999 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  106. ↑ "2000 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  107. ↑ "2001 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  108. ↑ "2002 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  109. ↑ "2003 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  110. ↑ "2004 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  111. ↑ "2005 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  112. ↑ "2006 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  113. ↑ "2007 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  114. ↑ "2008 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  115. ↑ "2009 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  116. ↑ "2010 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  117. ↑ "2011 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  118. ↑ "2012 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  119. ↑ "2013 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  120. ↑ "2017 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  121. ↑ "2018 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  122. ↑ "2019 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  123. ↑ "2020 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  124. ↑ Dajani, Jordan (January 12, 2022). "NFL's first 17-game regular season reviewed: Records that fell, what worked, what didn't work and more". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  125. ↑ "2021 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  126. ↑ "2022 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  127. ↑ "2023 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  128. ↑ "2024 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  129. ↑ "2025 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2026. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  130. ↑ "2026 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NFC_North&oldid=1368078271"