The NFL reached 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans prior to the 2002 season. This expansion led to a realignment of the divisions, creating four equal groups within each conference. NFC South member, Tampa Bay, won the first Super Bowl under the new configuration by defeating the Oakland Raiders.
Since that season, no other NFC division has had the post season success of the four team NFC South represented by the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the NFC West has equaled the South’s representation in the Super Bowl with five appearances, only the NFC South and East have produced multiple champions.