When the Houston Texans joined our little NFL club back in 2002, the NFL decided it was time to realign into four divisions in two conferences (good move).
Still, it is always fun to go back and see how things would shape up had the NFL decided to keep the three division format (and, for arguments sake, putting the Texans in the NFC West).
AFC EAST: Buffalo, Indianapolis, Miami, New England, NY Jets.
Now this is a division! The Colts and Pats have been two of the most successful and photogenic teams ... so imagine if they (a) were fighting for a division title every year and (b) we got two games between them ... or maybe three! Aside from that, everything would look the same ... except for some sad faces in Buffalo, Miami and NYC.
AFC CENTRAL: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Tennessee
This was the only division with six teams and it had quite a run. This is essentially the new AFC North with the Jags and Titans thrown in there ... two teams that were very successful right before realignment. This would be one heck of a division with the Steelers trying to fend off the Jags and Titans (I love that Pitt-Jax rivalry!!!!) ... with Cleveland not too far behind. Cincinnati and Baltimore both have talent ... but it isn't enough.
AFC WEST: Denver, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego, Seattle.
Remember that Seattle was an AFC team ... and judging what's been going on, they'd dominate their West division too. Would it be any solace to Seahawks fans that if not for realignment ... they wouldn't have had to see their team get screwed over in Super Bowl XL?
NFC EAST: Arizona, Dallas, NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington.
The only addition is the Cardinals, who were then ... and still would be ... always trying to be a somebody in this division (or any division). Still, Cards fans would love seeing the Cowboys come by every year.
NFC CENTRAL: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Tampa Bay.
Again, the only change is adding the Bucs, who sadly didn't get to strut their stuff as an Black-N-Blue Division beast. Still, it would be a nice race with the Packers, Bucs and Vikings fighting for the division title.
NFC WEST: Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, New Orleans, San Francisco, St. Louis
This division had the most changes since, well, most of its teams weren't in the west. On paper this year, this would be the weakest division. The Rams have stunk, the Falcons will stink and the Niners have been stinking. Houston hasn't ever made the playoffs. The Panthers and Saints are the most likely to have success, but neither can be trusted to do so.
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