question about NFL Divisional Breakdowns

I know that most of the action today will be in the gameday threads, but I have been pondering this question for a while and I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone could lend some insight.

In 2002 the NFL added 2 teams (Houston and Cleveland) and restructured so that each conference had four teams each in their four divisions (North South, East and West) The majority of these divisions make sense but not all. the one I am asking about is leaving Dallas in the NFC East, was this done just because of the rivalries, primarily with Washington?

I mean They are further south than 5 or 6 of the 8 teams that play in the NFC and AFC south, and they are the only one of the 8 teams playing in the NFC and AFC East that are not directly on the east coast.

my guess is they had to be left alone so that they could play the skins and giants 2 times a year each.

anyone have any info on this?

Yep, purely a history and rivalry thing. I believe there are something like 8 or maybe even 10 NFC teams closer to NYG, WAS, and PHI geographically, but they kept the division's integrity for history's sake. I'm sure glad they did!

Like Patriots and Dolphins, they kept certain rivalries alive.

My question is what happens if they expand again? I wonder if this idea of an 18 game regular season has something to do with that?

Like Patriots and Dolphins, they kept certain rivalries alive.

My question is what happens if they expand again? I wonder if this idea of an 18 game regular season has something to do with that?

They CAN'T expand. The talent level is spread way too thin as it is. There should be a 25 year waiting period before any new teams are admitted to the league.