This was the best season in the 10-year history of the AFC North. The Ravens (11-4) and Steelers (11-4) are among the top three teams in the AFC, and the Bengals (9-6) have had one of the most unexpected turnarounds.

Here are three reasons the AFC North is the best division in the NFL this season:

The AFC North is the only division that will finish the season with three teams with winning records.

It's also the only division that has a chance to place three teams in the playoffs this year. It would mark the first time that the AFC North would put three teams in the postseason.

If this doesn't convince you that the AFC North is the best division in the NFL this season, here's another reason: the AFC North had the best record outside the division. With Week 17 featuring only division games, the final non-division records are set. The AFC North had a 25-15 mark outside the division, which is one win better than the NFC North (24-16).

2011 NFL Records Outside Division