Two years ago, the NFC East was nothing short of embarrassing. Now, though, the division is showing why it’s the most successful and valuable

The NFC East was sure to be ridiculed. It deserved it, too.

Memes were flushed across the net after the 2020 season, stupid remarks were made, slander. Gloating. The whole nine yards.

No wonder: the division embarrassed itself as best it could.

The Washington Football Team (7-9) qualified for the playoffs with a negative (!) record, the New York Giants (6-10), the Dallas Cowboys (6-10) and the Philadelphia Eagles (4-11-1) were even worse. Embarrassing, more embarrassing, NFC East.

The fourth worst record

The record for worst division in history was just missed, ending up as the fourth worst record.

But the transformation is similarly impressive, as the playoff music is playing in the East this year: the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) were the best team in the entire NFC, with the Cowboys (12-5) close behind and the Giants (9-7-1) also making the playoffs. The now-renamed Washington Commanders (8-8-1) just missed the postseason.

Turning 23-40-1 into 43-23-2: That’s five more wins than the next best quartet, the AFC North managed 38 wins.

And three teams from one division in the Divisional Round is a first since the divisions were reorganised in 2002. Before that, the last time three teams from the then NFC Central – Green Bay, Minnesota and Tampa Bay – made it to the Divisional Round was in 1997. Back then, there were even four (Detroit Lions included) that qualified for the playoffs.

And the current trio has come to stay. The Eagles had a bye week anyway, the Giants beat the Minnesota Vikings and the Cowboys at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

NFC East: 13 Super Bowl wins already

It’s important to note: The NFC East actually knows how to succeed. It is the most successful division in the NFL with a total of 13 Super Bowl victories and 21 Super Bowl appearances.

The NFC East is also the most valuable division. According to the most recent Forbes list of the world’s most valuable sports teams, the Cowboys are ranked first with a value of eight billion dollars, the Giants (six billion dollars) are ranked fourth, the Commanders (5.6 billion) are ranked eighth and the Eagles (4.9 billion) are ranked 16th.

And now what are the prospects of winning a title for the first time since 2017 (Eagles)?

Will there be only one team left?

Possibly only one team will be left after the Divisional Round. Because on Saturday night the Eagles and the Giants meet in a direct duel. On Monday night, the Cowboys have to play the San Francisco 49ers.

After this season, anything less than winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy would be a disappointment. Because the NFC East really deserves it.