It is not difficult to notice how dominant the NFC East division has been in the NFL in recent years. Last season, the NFC East sent three teams to the playoffs for the second straight year. They had no teams finish with a losing record, boasted the overall No. 1 seed in the NFC, and ultimately had one of their teams win the Super Bowl.
This year, the division looks even stronger. No team in the NFC East has lost a game to a non-NFC East opponent. Their 4-0 record against non-divisional opponents includes an average margin of victory of a whopping 21.5 points. This was helped greatly by two thrashings of the Rams, once by the Eagles and once by the Giants.
Through the first two weeks, no other division has gone undefeated against non-divisional opponents. Although I have not researched it, I feel confident saying that no division has ever had all of their teams go undefeated against non-divisional opponents.
That would be nearly impossible. It would be nearly four times as impressive as the Patriot’s undefeated regular season from a year ago, because it requires four teams to go undefeated.
If ever there was a situation for it to happen though, the NFC East is set up perfectly.
They play cross-conference games against the AFC North. After the first two weeks of the season, it looks like any team in the NFC East could easily defeat the Bengals, Browns, or Ravens. The only team that would be difficult to beat is the Steelers.
In addition, the rest of the NFC is fairly weak outside of the NFC East. So each non-divisional match-up for the NFC East will involve one of four very good teams and then usually a weaker team.
So can the NFC East go a perfect 40-0?
No. But it would be incredible if they did. And they certainly can have an extremely high non-divisional game winning percentage as a conference.
The games for this week will provide a strong test for the NFC East. All four teams play against non-NFC East opponents.
The Giants play the Bengals, the Redskins have the Cardinals, the Eagles take on the Steelers, and the Cowboys meet the Packers.
comments (17) write a comment »
write a new comment
2 months ago
Very good, I had actually started researching this the other day, and got side tracked, very nice job with it.
from 2 months ago
thanks! I'm really interested to see how many of these games the NFC East can win. If you find anything about dominant conferences in prior years definitely let me know!
2 months ago
There is no doubt that the NFC East is the best division in football. Great article!
from 2 months ago
thank you. I plan to track this every week, so make sure to check back.
2 months ago
Historically, I can think of a better division in all of football. Out of the 42 SBs, NFC East teams have won 11 of them and have won 19 NFC Championships (SB era). Each team has a good to great QB. Each team has some of the best running backs, and some of the most talented defenses. Coaching wise, they are also one of the strongest.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the stats! Yeah it's strange the NFC East is really only starting to receive the recognition now, when they have been a dominant conference in the past as well.
from 2 months ago
Us old-timers (and I'm talking about Craig up there as well) remember not so long ago when the NFL was all about the NFC East and the 49ers. No other teams really mattered. From 1986 to 1995 the NFC East won 7 out of 10 Superbowls and the Niners won the other three. Then for a while in the late 90's it was the "NFC Least." But now the Beast is back just as bad as ever.
from 2 months ago
Thats right Osi, I remember it well, once upon a time the East was a division NOBODY wanted play, and it sure is nice to be back at that level now. For fans of this division, it sure makes for dam good football.
The 49ers were that one team that one team outside the division that could consistently compete, so what team will it be in this era of NFC East dominance(hopefully a long and fruitful era for us)?
Are the Packers and Aaron Rodgers for real?
Are the Bears Back?
Can the Saints find some defense and toughness?
One way or the other, I don't see mediocrity, I see some pretty dam good teams!
from 2 months ago
I think in the conference you have to say Green Bay. Rodgers is the real deal and they're a tough young team. With a little experience they're going to be very good in 2-3 years.
You know what I miss? The CARDINALS! What an awful spot they were in for decades, as the punching bag of the NFC East having to travel thousands of miles a year for division games the didn't have a chance in hell of winning. But they were good for two easy W's a year. The finally had to escape to the NFC West to find a division they could compete in.
2 months ago
Great article! The NFC east is easily the most talented division in the NFL. I'm really anticipating this season and how the Cowboys turn out. I went to the training camp back in August and saw some real promise in a lot of the new(ish) guys...particularly Felix Jones and Isaiah Stanbach.
Can't wait to see how Aaron Rodgers turns out either, I've been the guys biggest supporter since day one.
In response to Osi, I too remember the 49ers dominance even though I was born in '89. I think I had my first crush on Steve Young! Met him too when I was 8 or 9. They had a great team going there for a while.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comment. You should be looking forward to the Cowboys/Packers game this weekend!
from 2 months ago
Oh my god, I feel so old.
2 months ago
Ya I'm definitely looking forward to tonight's game in green bay! It's going to be awesome. Don't feel old Osi!
2 months ago
For those following along - the NFC East is now 6-0 in non-divisional matchups. The Eagles and currently leading the Steelers, and the Cowboys play the Packers later tonight.
from 2 months ago
Make that 8-0...
Wow!
2 months ago
Contrary to the article, the hardest NFC East game for week 3 was the "easiest" the Giants had to use overtime to beat the Bengals.
from 2 months ago
Good point. Even though these teams have a lot of games against weaker teams, the chance of a slip-up here and there is very high. But now the NFC East is 1/5 of the way to going 40-0. Be on the look-out for an updating article sometime during the week.
write a new comment