<P> The NFC North is a division of the National Football League ( NFL ) 's National Football Conference ( NFC ) , based in the Upper Midwest region of the United States . Nicknamed the `` Black & Blue Division '' for the rough and tough rivalry games between the teams , it currently has four members : the Chicago Bears , Detroit Lions , Green Bay Packers , and Minnesota Vikings . The NFC North was previously known as the NFC Central from 1970 to 2001 . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were previously members , from 1977 , one year after they joined the league as an expansion team , until 2001 when they moved to the NFC South . </P>
<P> The NFC North is a division of the National Football League ( NFL ) 's National Football Conference ( NFC ) , based in the Upper Midwest region of the United States . Nicknamed the `` Black & Blue Division '' for the rough and tough rivalry games between the teams , it currently has four members : the Chicago Bears , Detroit Lions , Green Bay Packers , and Minnesota Vikings . The NFC North was previously known as the NFC Central from 1970 to 2001 . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were previously members , from 1977 , one year after they joined the league as an expansion team , until 2001 when they moved to the NFC South . </P>
when did the buccaneers leave the nfc north
when did the buccaneers leave the nfc north
2001
2001