We’ve reached the second half of the NFL season after an intense trade deadline and the playoff races are heating up with one division on pace to make history.

From Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota to a classic rivalry and a Monday night matchup nobody asked for, here are five things to know heading into Week 10.

NFC North dominance

Never in NFL history have all four teams from the same division made the playoffs, but if the postseason started today, that’s exactly what would happen in the NFC North.

The Bears lead the way at 7-2, followed by the Lions and Vikings at 6-2 and the Packers at 6-3. The division’s combined .736 winning percentage is the best through nine weeks since the 1970 merger. It’s also the first division in history to have all four teams at least three games above .500 through Week 9.

Perhaps the most impressive stat? The NFC North is a combined 20-3 against the rest of the NFL. Apparently, the only teams that can beat the NFC North are other NFC North teams.

Of course, these four teams still have to beat up on each other down the stretch, which should make the race for the division title and potentially the NFC’s No. 1 seed must-see TV. That includes Sunday’s big showdown at Lambeau Field between the Packers and Vikings.

Captain Kirk to the Rescue?

Can Kirk Cousins ride back into Minnesota and save the Vikings offense?

The Vikings sent a third-round pick to the Raiders to reacquire their former quarterback, who spent his best six seasons in Minnesota from 2018 to 2023. And while Cousins is now 38, he’s still putting up big numbers. His 2,340 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season rank him among the league’s best, with only Joe Burrow throwing more TD passes.

On paper, Cousins is exactly what Minnesota needs. The Vikings have been outstanding defensively but rank 31st in passing yards. Monday’s ugly 23-6 loss to Buffalo was their second straight defeat and the third time this season they failed to score a touchdown.

The Vikings don’t need Cousins to be Superman. With that defense, even an average offense could make Minnesota a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

And if Captain Kirk can turn back the clock? Watch out, NFC.

One last early wake-up call

Set those alarm clocks one more time! The NFL heads back overseas Sunday as the Lions and Patriots square off in Munich.

It’s the eighth of nine international games this season and the final early-morning kickoff, with action getting underway at 9:30 a.m. ET.

For Detroit, every win matters in the ridiculously competitive NFC North, making this much more than a sightseeing trip to Germany.

The NFL’s international slate wraps up next week when the 49ers and Vikings meet in Mexico City on Sunday Night Football.

So enjoy one last Sunday of football with your morning coffee. After this week, you can finally sleep in!

Cowboys-49ers: A rivalry renewed

One of the NFL’s greatest rivalries adds another chapter Sunday when the Cowboys host the 7-1 49ers in Arlington.

San Francisco leads the all-time series 21-19-1 and has won the last four meetings, including two playoff showdowns. Dallas desperately needs a win as it tries to chase down the Giants in the NFC East.

Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, this matchup looks like trouble. San Francisco leads the NFL in red-zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on an incredible 84.6% of its trips inside the 20. Now that offense gets a Dallas defense ranked near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed.

Oddsmakers are expecting a shootout, and fans paying to get into AT&T Stadium better hope they’re right. As of Thursday, the cheapest tickets were going for more than $400, making this one of the priciest games of the season.

You might want to make other plans Monday night because we’re getting a matchup that could be the weakest “Monday Night Football” game in history.

The 4-5 Ravens, losers of four straight, host the winless 0-8 Chargers. Their combined 4-13 record is the worst ever for a Monday night matchup in Week 10 or later.

Before the season, Lamar Jackson vs. Justin Herbert looked like appointment viewing. Now? Not so much.

Herbert has become the first quarterback ever to go winless while throwing at least one interception in eight straight games to start a season. The Chargers offense also went an astonishing 37 consecutive possessions without a touchdown before finally scoring in garbage time against Houston. THIRTY-SEVEN!

Baltimore isn’t doing much better. Jackson is sidelined with a thumb injury, backup Tyler Huntley has a toe injury, and the Ravens traded for Jacoby Brissett, who had just been benched by Arizona in favor of Gardner Minshew.

Wondering why the NFL doesn’t flex this disaster out of prime time? Unfortunately, Monday night games can’t be flexed until Week 12.

So we’re stuck with it. At least one of these teams has to win. Unless, of course, they tie. And that might be the most fitting outcome.