defensewinsgames wrote:Couldn't disagree more. No division except maybe the NFC West has ever been open enough for a team to win in 2 offseasons. The only one who is delusional around here is you. Winner is completely right on this. The Vikings, Rams, Colts, and Jaguars are a long way from winning their divisions.
NFC South
From 2003 to 2009, the team that placed last in the division the previous year would improve enough to reach the playoffs, usually by winning the division. Tampa Bay almost continued this trend in 2010, stopped only by losing a tiebreaker to Green Bay.
Carolina finished last in 2002 (7–9) and finished first in 2003 (11–5).
Atlanta finished last in 2003 (5–11) and finished first in 2004 (11–5).
Tampa Bay finished last in 2004 (5–11) and finished first in 2005 (11–5).
New Orleans finished last in 2005 (3–13) and finished first in 2006 (10–6).
Tampa Bay finished last in 2006 (4–12) and finished first in 2007 (9–7).
Atlanta finished last in 2007 (4–12) and finished second with a playoff berth in 2008 (11–5).
New Orleans finished last in 2008 (8–8) and finished first in 2009 (13–3).
Tampa Bay finished last in 2009 (3-13) but despite finishing third in 2010 with a 10-6 record, did not make the playoffs, due to Green Bay holding the wild-card tiebreakers.
Carolina finished last in 2010 (2-14) and was eliminated from playoff contention in week 14 of the 2011 season after going 4-9, becoming the first NFC South team to have a losing season after placing last in the division.