Which Division Could Make NFL History in 2023?

In 2020, the National Football League expanded its playoff field from six teams per conference to seven. That opens the possibility of any one division sending all four of its clubs to the postseason.

That would undoubtedly be a tough task, but not impossible. Keep in mind that in each of the past three seasons since the change, at least one division has sent three teams to the playoffs. In 2020, it was the AFC North with the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns. One year later, the NFC West gave us the Rams, Cardinals and 49ers. This past season, the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants represented the NFC East.

A Little History Lesson

Since 2002 and the current alignment of eight divisions, there have been a total of 10 instances where one division sent three clubs to the postseason. In 2007, both the AFC South and NFC East turned that trick.

Keep in mind that these days, we are talking about an entire division. That’s because it’s not unprecedented for four teams from the same division to head to the playoffs.

This offseason, a lot of discussion regarding the best division in the league heading into 2023 may be the AFC North. From 1970-2001, the NFL had six divisions instead of eight. Some of those divisions housed five teams as opposed to four. In fact, the AFC Central (now the AFC North) actually had six teams from 1999-2001 after the Cleveland Browns re-entered the NFL as an expansion squad.

The NFC Central (now NFC North) sent four clubs to the postseason in 1994 as well as 1997. The AFC East sent the Jets, Dolphins, Bills and Patriots to the postseason in 1998 and left the Colts at home.

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Top Candidates

So, which foursome could turn the trick in 2023? Two prime candidates appear to be the NFC East and AFC North. As for the former, the Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants are coming off playoff appearances; all three clubs won at least one postseason game in ‘22, with the Birds reaching Super Bowl LVII. Although the last-place Commanders finished 8-8-1, they knocked off the playoff-bound Jaguars, Eagles, and Cowboys the past season.

How about the AFC North? The Bengals have won the division two straight years and reached the AFC title game and Super Bowl LVI in 2021. The Ravens were a playoff team in 2022 and the Steelers closed strong a season ago, winning seven of their final nine games. The Browns last reached the playoffs in 2020 and their revamped defense bears watching.

Every NFL season has its share of surprises. Could we see another first in 2023?