By Mummy Grace The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers—dominant NFC North powerhouses during the 2024 regular season—faced abrupt postseason exits, exposing a glaring disparity between their regular-season dominance and playoff struggles.
NFC North’s Regular-Season Dominance
The Lions, Vikings, and Packers collectively dominated non-division opponents in the regular season with a combined record of 29-4:
- Lions: 9-2
- Vikings: 10-1
- Packers: 10-1
This dominance stemmed from a favorable schedule, including matchups against the AFC South and NFC West—two divisions lacking consistent playoff-caliber teams.
Playoff Disappointments
Despite their regular-season success, all three teams fell to non-NFC North opponents in the playoffs:
- Packers lost to the Eagles.
- Vikings lost to the Rams.
- Lions lost to the Commanders.
In the postseason, their combined record against non-division foes dropped to 0-3, highlighting their struggles to maintain success against elite competition.
Challenges Ahead for 2025
The NFC North will face a much tougher slate in 2025:
- Opponents: Teams from the AFC North and NFC East—both divisions stacked with playoff contenders.
- 17th Game: Each team draws a challenging AFC West opponent:
- Lions: Chiefs
- Vikings: Chargers
- Packers: Broncos
- Bears: Raiders
This stiffer competition is likely to test the NFC North’s true mettle and may lead to fewer lopsided regular-season records.
Looking Ahead
For these NFC North teams, the focus must shift to addressing their playoff shortcomings. Regular-season dominance alone won’t suffice, especially against stronger postseason competition. As 2025 approaches, improvements in roster depth, coaching adjustments, and a resilient mindset will be essential for success against tougher opponents and deeper playoff runs.