NFL Division Rankings

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

There has been much debate as to which division is the strongest. 

Here, then, are the eight divisions ranked from toughest to weakest, and the reasons why.

1.  NFC East 

Top-to-bottom, no other division has the depth that the NFC East does. 

It would not be a shock to see all four teams go .500 in divisional play. All of these teams are playoff contenders.

In fact, fans of all four teams have reason to believe their team can win the NFC East crown. While the Giants and Eagles may be the favorites of most experts, the Redskins and Cowboys are right there. 

Think about this: The Eagles advanced the farthest of any NFC East team, yet they were swept by the last-place Redskins, who finished 8-8. 

An 8-8 record was good enough to win the NFC West, but in the East, it was last place. 

I would be shocked if two teams from the East did not get into the playoffs, and it could easily be three. 

No teams have any downright weaknesses, though each team has some question marks (O-Line for the Reskins, secondary for the Cowboys, wide receivers for the Cowboys, and injury concerns for the Eagles). 

2.  AFC South 

Again, all four teams can be considered playoff contenders this year. 

After losing Marcus Stroud—which killed their run defense—the Jaguars have restocked their offensive line, and Jack Del Rio will always keep them competitive. Maurice Jones-Drew is set to explode. 

The Texans are young, explosive on offense, and improved on defense, and are a chic pick for the postseason. 

The Titans had the best record in the AFC last season and, despite losing Albert Haynesworth, they still have a solid defense that will give them a chance to win a lot of games. 

And finally, you have the team that has dominated this division in the past, the Indianapolis Colts. 

Three years removed from their last Super Bowl, the Colts are no longer the best team in football.  But the offense is still elite, and while the run defense can use some help, the Colts can outscore pretty much anyone.

3.  AFC East

This division has the preseason Super Bowl favorite New England Patriots at the top. 

The Jets also have a lot to like, with a tough front seven, flashy new quarterback, and a solid offensive line. 

Meanwhile, the defending division champs from Miami have been overlooked, but return a strong defense with a Wildcat offense that baffled so many teams. 

And how could we forget the Bills, who added a speedy pass rusher in the draft, an explosive pass-catching tight end, and of course, Terrell Owens. 

Another conference that could have four playoff contenders.

4.  NFC South

Besides Tampa Bay, any of these teams could win the division. 

In a division that has traditionally been dominated by tough defenses, this year they have three offenses that will put up lots of points on the board. 

Atlanta now boasts a rising star at quarterback (Matt Ryan), a true No. 1 wide receiver with great hands (Roddy White), size, and speed, a physically gifted and explosive running back (Michael Turner), and the best tight end (Tony Gonzalez) in the history of the NFL. 

Not to be outdone, the New Orleans Saints have Drew Brees, a top three NFL quarterback, and this year all his weapons are finally healthy. 

I anticipate a big year from that offense, with Lance Moore, Marques Colston and Reggie Bush having close to 1000 yards receiving or more each and Bush and Pierre Thomas forming a formidable thunder and lightning rushing combination. 

Lastly, the Carolina Panthers won the division last year, and the defense should be stronger.  A vertical passing attack featuring diminutive but speedy Steve Smith balances nicely a powerful rushing attack featuring big, bad Jonathan Stewart and the explosive DeAngelo Williams. 

The NFC Championship could easily go through the NFC South.

5.  AFC North

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