After the regular-season finale in Detroit, Lions coach Dan Campbell told Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, “See you in two weeks.”
Less than two weeks later, both teams said “see you soon” for the playoffs.
The postseason collapse of three NFC North juggernauts — the Lions, Vikings and Packers — stands in stark contrast to their regular-season dominance beyond the borders of the black and blue division.
As one reader pointed out, and as we confirmed by checking schedules and counting games, the Lions, Vikings and Packers were a combined 29-4 against teams outside the division in season regular. In the playoffs, they were 0-3 against non-NFC North teams.
Minnesota and Green Bay were each 10-1 against non-division rivals. The Lions were 9-2.
Last weekend, Green Bay lost to the Eagles and Minnesota lost to the Rams. On Saturday, the Lions fell to the Commanders.
Their records were enhanced by a schedule rotation that had them playing each of the AFC South and NFC West teams, with the 17th game coming against one of the AFC East teams.
Next year it won’t be so easy. NFC North teams face AFC North and NFC East teams, with Game 17 facing AFC West teams — Lions take on Chiefs, Vikings take on Chargers, Packers take on Broncos and the Bears tie. the Raiders.
Their non-division regular season record will therefore not be as good in 2025. Their playoff record against non-NFC North teams cannot be worse, however.
