History was made on Monday night following the Baltimore Ravens’ 34-27 win over the New Orleans Saints. Every team in the AFC North is now at least three games over .500, and every team in the NFC South is at least three games under .500.

According to Elias, this is the first time such records have ever occurred at the end of a week of play.

It’s an incredible achievement for the AFC North.

It’s embarrassing for the NFC South.

The AFC North is now 10-1-1 against the NFC South this season. After their victory over the Saints, the Ravens have now swept the South and won their four games by an average of 22 points.

There are weaknesses in other divisions, of course. The bottom of the AFC South is not very inspiring. Neither is the NFC East. But at least the leaders in those divisions have managed to win more games than they’ve lost.

No matter how you look at it, the very best case is that the NFC South sends a 9-7 team to the playoffs. That would require either Atlanta or New Orleans going on a five-game winning streak to end the season. Atlanta plays New Orleans in Week 16, so at least one of those teams won’t get to nine wins.

Yet one of them, or perhaps the Panthers or even the 2-9 Buccaneers (yes, Tampa Bay is mathematically still alive) will be in the postseason while at least half of the AFC North starts vacation.

Of course, this is a scenario that plays out often in the NFL. In 2013, the NFC West had three teams end the season at least four games over .500. The 10-6 Arizona Cardinals were left out, while the over in the AFC West, the 9-7 San Diego Chargers went on.

Someone is always going to get the short end of the stick after Week 17. It’s not always fair, but it’s worked pretty well in its present state for the past 24 years.

That said, it would be nice if the NFC South actually earned its berth.