When the NFL realigned into eight four-team divisions for 2002, Paul Tagliabue was asked about the possibility of a team finishing first with a record under .500.

“We’ll worry about it when it happens,” the commissioner replied.

It may be time to start worrying.

It’s only Year 2 of realignment, but the AFC North is proving that ineptitude can still succeed. Nearing the midway point of the season, Baltimore is in first place at 3-3, all four teams are within a game of the lead, and a winner at 8-8 or 7-9 is a distinct possibility.

The potential problem was apparent when realignment was unveiled.

Under the new format, teams play only six of their 16 games against division opponents. If all four teams in a division are weak, they’re likely to lose a majority of non-division games.

That’s what’s happening with the AFC North, where the Ravens, Bengals, Steelers and Browns are 4-9 versus outside opponents, with more losses likely. The Steelers play the Rams this week; the Bengals play the Seahawks; the Ravens play the Broncos; and the Browns play the Patriots.

Only the Ravens get a break – Denver is down to third-string QB Danny Kanell.

“Some people say it’s the worst division in the NFL, but at the same time, it’s one of the toughest divisions because you can play against anybody and lose to them,” says Cleveland’s Earl Little.

You certainly can.

There is precedent for the loser (or near-loser) going to the playoffs in the old divisional setup.

In 1985, when only five teams made the playoffs in each conference instead of six, Cleveland, at 8-8, won the AFC Central, precursor of the North. The power was in the East, won by Miami at 12-4, with the Jets and Patriots getting wild-card berths at 11-5.

Denver also finished 11-5, but missed the playoffs, leaving then-Broncos coach Dan Reeves furious about finishing three games ahead of the Browns, but staying home in January.

Since then, no team has missed the postseason with a better record than a team that made it.

But look at the AFC as the halfway mark approaches.

If the playoffs began now, New England, Kansas City and Indianapolis would be in as division winners. So would Baltimore with that 3-3 record. The wild-card teams would be Tennessee and Denver (both 5-2).

But Miami (4-2) and Buffalo (4-3), both with better records than the Ravens, would be out. If that holds at season’s end, it will demonstrate the flaw in the current system.

Equally flawed is the idea brought up last spring by two owners, Bob Kraft of New England and Lamar Hunt of Kansas City. They wanted to increase the playoffs from 12 teams to 14 or 16, in part to ensure that no deserving team was left out.

The proposal never had a chance – 24 teams must approve any change like that and no more than 12 teams supported it. Most important, Tagliabue was against it and so was Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay, who heads the competition committee.

On the other hand, if the AFC North winner is 8-8, 7-9, or, as one wag suggested, there’s a four-way tie at 6-10, expanding the playoffs or some other permutation will get serious consideration.

“We agreed to give it two years when we put the new system in,” McKay said in arguing against change at the league meetings last March.

This is the second year.

If a loser makes the playoffs and a winner is left out, it WILL be discussed.

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DIRTY DOZEN: The top six and bottom six teams based on current level of play:

1. Tennessee (5-2). Note “current level of play.”

2. Minnesota (6-0). Any team that makes plays like the Vikings deserves this spot.

3. Kansas City (7-0). Demonstrated a few weaknesses that could hurt later.

4. New England (5-2). Belichick keeps plugging in the healthy parts for injured ones with no falloff.

5. Dallas (5-1). The Cowboys are not as good as their fans think they are. Their coach knows that.

6. Carolina (5-1). “It’s one loss, and it is what it is,” John Fox said after the Panthers were blown out by the Titans.

27. New York Giants (2-4). Lots of yards, very few points.

28. San Diego (1-5). Give LaDainian Tomlinson credit. He complained about being winless, then produced a win.

29. Chicago (1-5). Played a decent game last week.

30. Arizona (1-5). At this level, you move up if you don’t play.

31. Detroit (1-5). Steve Mariucci is a better coach than Marty Mornhinweg. The players are no better.

32. Atlanta (1-6). Pretty awful when you’re worse than the Cardinals, Lions and Bears.

AP-ES-10-23-03 1226EDT