Power Ranking Every NFL Division

It seems like one of those exercises reserved for college football, where analysts and fans try to tell us all which conference is the best in the land.

Here, the land is the National Football League, and the subject is its eight divisions, four per conference. So we have opted to do a little evaluating at this time and rank the NFL’s groups of four from No. 8 to No. 1.

To achieve our task, we will take into account a little recent history along with some looks ahead to the changes that have been made in terms of coaching and personnel. Remember, we are taking all four clubs in each division and grading accordingly.

As usual, pieces like this are highly subjective but also make for great discussion. So talk among yourselves and feel free to share your thoughts, especially if you’ve had enough of our eight verdicts.

8. AFC South

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Combined Record in 2014: 25-39

So is it still the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the field in the AFC South?

Chuck Pagano’s team has won the division each of the last two seasons with an 11-5 record. Over that span, he has yet to lose a game to the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars or Tennessee Titans.

Even though the Colts did reach last season’s AFC title game and look like an improved football team with the offseason additions of running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Andre Johnson, outside linebacker Trent Cole and some young defensive players, those upgrades don’t hide the fact that the Texans (11-21), Titans (9-23) and Jaguars (7-25) are a combined 27-69 over the last two years.

Let’s look forward as Houston looks to build on a 9-7 season with the additions of wide receivers Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington, as well as a defense that now includes defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

Tennessee has a lot of new looks in rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota and a defense that will now have defensive legend Dick LeBeau to lean on. Jacksonville was one of the busier teams during free agency, and head coach Gus Bradley seems to be building something in Florida.

In any case, we will have to see a lot more improvement from the Jaguars and Titans if this foursome is to take a major step forward.

7. NFC South

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Combined Record in 2014: 22-41-1

We suppose there’s nowhere to go but up when every team in your division loses more games than it won this past season. And if recent history is any indication, there may be some big things in store for the NFC South.

Back in 2010, the NFC West was won by the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks. Now over the past four seasons, at least one team from that division has reached the NFC title game, and the San Francisco 49ers (2012) and Seattle Seahawks (2013-14) have represented the conference in the Super Bowl three straight years, respectively.

Are we about to see the NFC South rise in somewhat similar fashion? That probably depends on how much improvement the defenses in this quartet improve from a year ago.

While the Carolina Panthers wound up ranked 10th in the league in total defense in 2014, that was due to an impressive late-season run. On the other hand, the Atlanta Falcons (24th), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25th) and New Orleans Saints (31st) were all near the bottom of the NFL in yards allowed this past season.

Still, this is a group not hurting at the quarterback position with the likes of Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and rookie Jameis Winston, although the latter has obviously yet to prove himself as a professional.

While there’s a new head-coaching staff in Atlanta led by Dan Quinn and a new offensive coordinator in Tampa in Dirk Koetter, late of the Falcons, it is those aforementioned defensive units that really need to prove themselves this season if the majority of the division is to reverse its fortunes from a year ago.

6. AFC West

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Combined Record in 2014: 33-31

There was a bit of deja vu when it came to the AFC West this past season.

In 2013, the Denver Broncos captured the division while the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers clinched playoff berths. This past season, all three clubs again sported winning records. But while the Broncos went on to capture a fourth straight AFC West title, the Chiefs and Chargers finished with 9-7 marks and out of the postseason.

Don’t forget the Oakland Raiders, who have won a total of seven games the past two years. Hence, this division has had the same order of finish (Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders) for two straight years.

However, a three-peat in that regard could be in jeopardy considering the changes by Denver and Kansas City and the supposed improvement shown by both San Diego and Oakland.

The Chargers appear to be the biggest threat to the Broncos, who swept each of their AFC West foes this past season. Mike McCoy’s team made some subtle changes this offseason, while Denver took its share of hits this offseason and did its best to replace them.

Coming off a year in which they appeared to strike gold in the draft with linebacker Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr, the Raiders are hoping that additions such as rookie wideout Amari Cooper and veteran receiver Michael Crabtree as well as unsung center Rodney Hudson can help the offense and that free-agent pickups such as defensive tackle Dan Williams, linebacker Curtis Lofton and strong safety Nate Allen help on defense.

The Chiefs have some new looks as well, especially along the offensive line as well as Andy Reid favorite Jeremy Maclin, who hopes to become the team’s first wide receiver since 2013 to catch a touchdown pass.

It’s also worth noting that both Kansas City (outside linebacker Justin Houston) and Denver (wide receiver Demaryius Thomas) have designated franchise players who remain unsigned.

While there have some improvements here, the overall feel when it comes to the AFC West appears to be more unsettling than encouraging. And while veteran quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Alex Smith still call this division home, the casts surrounding them may not be as sound as in the recent past.

5. NFC East

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Combined Record in 2014: 32-32

It was convenient math when it came to adding up the four teams in the NFC East’s win-loss records this past season. In essence, the division champion Dallas Cowboys' 12-4 mark was cancelled out by the Washington Redskins' (4-12 in 2014) latest last-place finish.

The Philadelphia Eagles won 10 games and the New York Giants lost 10 games, and both missed the playoffs. It added up to a perfect .500 mark this past season.

More importantly, what are the prospects for this group in 2015? The Cowboys lost last season’s league rushing leader in running back DeMarco Murray to the rival Eagles via free agency. The Giants and Redskins both have new defensive coordinators in Steve Spagnuolo (making his return to the franchise) and Joe Barry, respectively. Philadelphia currently has five quarterbacks on its roster who started a combined eight games in 2014, all of those by Mark Sanchez.

But somewhat similar to the NFC South, this is a foursome that is looking to redeem itself on the defensive side of the football. We have already noted that New York and Washington made coaching changes on defense and that Dallas and Philadelphia are hoping that free agency and the draft have rectified their issues, most notably in the secondary.

What the NFC East does have, besides its standouts at the skill positions, are two of the best offensive lines in the league in the Cowboys and Eagles and a pair of clubs that used their first-round picks this year on improving the tackle position in the Giants (Ereck Flowers) and Redskins (Brandon Scherff).

This season may not only prove to be very interesting when it comes to crowning a division champion (no team has won consecutive NFC East title since Philadelphia captured four straight from 2001-04) but if these teams develop, don’t be surprised if this division sends at least two teams to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

4. NFC North

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Combined Record in 2014: 35-29

It’s a division ruled by the same team each of the past four seasons. And interesting enough, the year before the Green Bay Packers began their run of titles in the NFC North in 2011 they won the Super Bowl as a wild-card team (XLV) in 2010.

General manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy are at the helm of an organization that drafts well and does a terrific job of making sure the team’s best players don’t get away.

This offseason and during the free-agency period, the team re-signed wide receiver Randall Cobb, tackle Bryan Bulaga, fullback John Kuhn and defensive linemen B.J. Raji and Letroy Guion. Green Bay’s biggest move this offseason was the decision to elevate offensive coordinator Tom Clements to associate head coach/offense and primary play-caller.

While knocking the Packers off their high horse won’t be easy, the Detroit Lions remain formidable despite some big losses on defense, while the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings look like improved football teams for different reasons.

Jim Caldwell’s squad took some hits, but you can expect defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to do his best adjusting to the losses of Ndamukong Suh and Co. up front. This may not be a unit as impressive as the one that allowed the second-fewest total yards in the league in 2014, but it still has its share of talent. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the offense should benefit from a better ground attack this season.

The Bears will open the season with a different head coach for the third time in four years, but perhaps John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can fix the club’s ailing defense, which has allowed the third-most yards in the league in consecutive seasons and a total of 93 offensive touchdowns in its last 32 games.

The switch to the 3-4 and additions such as linebackers Pernell McPhee, Mason Foster and Sam Acho as well as strong safety Antrel Rolle should help the transition.

New offensive coordinator Adam Gase hopes to help talented but mistake-prone quarterback Jay Cutler cut down on those 24 turnovers from a season ago.

Minnesota comes off a 7-9 campaign that was two wins better than the previous year. General manager Rick Spielman has bolstered the team via the draft and this spring used the team’s first three picks on more defensive help for head coach Mike Zimmer. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will have running back Adrian Peterson and wide receiver Mike Wallace at his disposal in 2015 as he looks to build on a respectable rookie year.

While dethroning the Packers won’t be easy for the other three clubs, this could be one of the better divisions in the league from top to bottom this upcoming season.

3. AFC East

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Combined Record in 2014: 33-31

The AFC East as we know it today, which dates back to realignment in 2002, has been ruled by the New England Patriots for the vast majority of the last 13 seasons.

The New York Jets captured the top spot that first year, the Miami Dolphins won a division title in 2008 and the other 11 seasons have belonged to the Pats. Since 2011, New England is the only team in the AFC East to reach the playoffs.

However, you could make an excellent case that this may be the most improved division in the league, and perhaps the only club that didn’t upgrade itself was the Patriots, who lost a total of four cornerbacks that were with the team in 2014 to either free agency (Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner) or their own decision to release them (Alfonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington).

The team hopes that 2015 first-round pick Malcom Brown can fill the void left by the departure of veteran defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley are gone, and we’re still waiting (and waiting) to see how many games quarterback Tom Brady will be eligible for this season.

The Dolphins have added four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and wide receivers Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills and rookie DeVante Parker.

The Jets are now under the guidance of head coach Todd Bowles and have a new-look secondary that includes Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine in the secondary and first-round selection Leonard Williams along the defensive front. Quarterback Geno Smith now has a solid running game and veteran wideout Brandon Marshall at his disposal.

Finally the Buffalo Bills have a new sideline leader in Rex Ryan, a new quarterback in the mix in veteran Matt Cassel and the NFL’s rushing champion of 2013 in running back LeSean McCoy, acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles. They join a team that finished 9-7, sported the league’s fourth-ranked defense and led the NFL with 54 sacks in 2014.

Simply put, when you add three improving teams to the league’s current dynasty, that’s an awful lot of positives in one division.

2. NFC West

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Combined Record in 2014: 37-27

Not long ago, the San Francisco 49ers ruled the roost in the NFC West. In 2012, the team was coming off its second straight NFC West title and was on its way to Super Bowl XLVII, coming up just short to the Baltimore Ravens, 34-31, at New Orleans.

Now the Niners may be headed towards the basement of a division that has represented the NFC in the Super Bowl three consecutive years, the last two by the powerful Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco has a new head coach in Jim Tomsula, and a number of prominent players have moved on, but this is a club not too short on talent. And you can expect the team to maintain their current physical style of play, a necessity if you are to survive in this division.

Speaking of the Seahawks, they look to become the first team since the Buffalo Bills (1990-93) to make at least three straight Super Bowl appearances, and it would be wise not to bet against them. Pete Carroll’s club has allowed the fewest points in the league for three straight years (the first team since the 1969-71 Minnesota Vikings to achieve that feat) and given up the fewest total yards in the NFL in back-to-back years.

The offense should be bolstered by the addition three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, while quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch key the league’s top-ranked ground attack from 2014.

Speaking of defense, the St. Louis Rams showed us what they were capable of this past season, especially in the second half of 2014. This was a unit that allowed just 30 offensive touchdowns in 16 games and totaled 34 sacks in their final nine contests.

Now head coach Jeff Fisher has a quarterback in Nick Foles who has shown the potential to be a very reliable component on offense. Keep in mind that this franchise hasn’t posted a winning season since 2003 and hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2004.

For the second straight offseason, the Arizona Cardinals saw their share of departures. But one person who’s still around is Bruce Arians, the NFL Coach of the Year for two of the last three years with two different clubs.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is back after seeing his 2014 cut short by a knee injury, while free agency added defensive linemen Cory Redding and Corey Peters, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and three-time Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati, to name a few notable additions.

While you may not see this powerful division produce at least a pair of 11-win teams and two playoff participants for a fourth straight year, it wouldn’t be a major surprise if all four clubs finished at .500 or better.

1. AFC North

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Combined Record in 2014: 38-25-1

OK, counselor, make your case.

In 2014, the AFC North sent three teams to the playoffs for the second time in four years.

Dating back to 2008, this division has sent two teams to the postseason in six out of seven seasons.

Since 2011, the Cincinnati Bengals (four), Baltimore Ravens (three) and Pittsburgh Steelers (two) have made a combined nine playoff appearances, and each of those franchises have finished 8-8 or better. All told, the Cleveland Browns are the only team in the AFC North to suffer through a losing season each of the past four seasons.

So why should anything be any different in 2015 when it comes to this division being as strong as it has been in recent years? Not much, because for the most part this is a group that fortified itself via the draft this year and didn’t do a lot in terms of bringing in players from teams outside the AFC North.

Neither the Ravens nor the Steelers did very much in free agency, hardly a surprise considering how both teams like to rebuild through the draft. The Bengals were a little more active than usual, but it’s also worth noting that they signed defensive end Michael Johnson, defensive tackle Pat Sims, cornerback Brandon Ghee and quarterback Josh Johnson—all with the organization previously.

While the Browns continue to look like the odd man out—and this year’s offseason didn’t do them any favors—the three teams at the top all look like solid playoff contenders once again. There’s a lot to be said for continuity, and Cincinnati (Marvin Jones), Pittsburgh (Mike Tomlin) and Baltimore (John Harbaugh) all have head coaches that have been at the helm of their respective clubs for at least seven seasons…and counting.

This past season, six teams in the AFC finished the season with 10 or more wins, and three of them came from this division. If the Browns, who were making strides this past season under first-time head coach Mike Pettine, can recapture that first-half feeling of 2014, then the strong are about to get a little stronger.

All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com.