The NFC North is the best division in the NFL. As evidenced by how the teams of the NFC North have performed against the rest of the league.

The Vikings, Bears, Lions, and Packers have a combined record of 17-3 against non-NFC North teams. Via NBC Sports research, the ensuing 85 percent success rate is the highest by any division in the NFL since the 1970 merger.

In theory, all four teams of the NFC North could make the playoffs. To do that, however, each would have to finish higher in the wild-card pecking order than the Rams and the Seahawks (assuming the 49ers win the NFC West).

This week, two teams of the NFC North have an easier path to victory than the others; the Bears host the Buccaneers and the Lions visit the Dolphins.

For the Packers (who play the Patriots in New England) and the Vikings (who play the Bills on Monday night), it will be harder to keep pushing 17-3 to 21-3.