Ranking the NFL's Divisions from Worst to First Entering 2025

In 2024, the NFC North dominated the rest of the NFL's divisions for much of the regular season. Maybe they wore each other out, because all three of its playoff teams fell well short of glory in the playoffs.

Still, there's little doubt it belongs at the top of the divisional rankings entering 2025. 

Here's how we see each of them.

8. NFC South

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Michael Penix Jr.

2024 Results: 28-40, minus-170 scoring margin, 1 playoff team (lost WC)

Improvements: Atlanta could take a leap if Michael Penix Jr. can take off, as could Carolina if Bryce Young finally puts it all together. Both are big "ifs," though. 

Deterioration: The Buccaneers are old and have probably peaked as a slightly-better-than-average team in recent years, and age could get the better of them soon. The Saints are officially in a rebuild with a void at quarterback following a five-win campaign. 

Bottom Line: The still-flawed Falcons have a higher ceiling than anyone in the NFC South had last year, but potential alone doesn't get the job done.

7. NFC West

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Sam Darnold

2024 Results: 34-34, minus-38 scoring margin, 1 playoff team (lost divisional round)

Improvements: The Cardinals continue on an upward trajectory as part of their rebuild, and better luck with health could see the 49ers regain the contender status they had between 2021 and 2023. 

Deterioration: San Francisco also lost several key veterans, and quarterback Brock Purdy declined in his third season. Not sure going from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold is an upgrade for the Seahawks, who also parted with DK Metcalf. The Rams are a post-contender team with Matthew Stafford fading at 37. 

Bottom Line: Barring a bounce-back from a 49ers team that has taken some major hits lately, there isn't a contender in this division. Arizona might still be a year or more away, and the Rams and Seahawks are just so-so veteran teams with clear limitations.

6. AFC South

AP Photo/John Raoux

Trevor Lawrence

2024 Results: 25-43, minus-314 scoring margin, 1 playoff team (divisional round)

Improvements: The Texans and Jaguars both have much more talent than their results indicated in down 2024 campaigns. They both have contender ceilings if their young quarterbacks can come through. And there's also major upside with the Colts, who are usually respectable at the very least. 

Deterioration: The Titans are in full rebuild mode but at least had the top pick in the draft at QB1. 

Bottom Line: Even if Houston doesn't rediscover some of that magic from 2023, it's still a double-digit-win team. The Colts at least have competition at quarterback, and the Jags have a chance to be great. This could be a decent division across the board.

5. AFC East

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Drake Maye

2024 Results: 30-38, minus-56 scoring margin, 1 playoff team (lost AFCC)

Improvements: The Patriots should be considerably better with more support for emerging quarterback Drake Maye, and the Jets and Dolphins have more talent than teams that posted losing records in 2024. 

Deterioration: Miami did lose several key veterans in the offseason, and it isn't easy to rely on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa based on his injury history and failures in big spots. 

Bottom Line: If Tagovailoa and Josh Allen stay healthy, Maye avoids a sophomore slump and the Jets just perform to their talent level, this is a strong division. But since there a lots of "ifs" there, it's middle of the pack for now.

4. AFC North

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Joe Burrow, left, and Lamar Jackson

2024 Results: 34-34, plus-51 scoring margin, 2 playoff teams (lost Div, lost WC)

Improvements: The Bengals are far better than their 9-8 records the last two seasons, and for what it's worth, the Steelers have added Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf. 

Deterioration: As is often the case when you're a veteran contender with big money tied up at centerpiece positions, the Ravens did bleed some depth in the offseason. One could also argue that going from Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to a 41-year-old Rodgers is a step backward for Pittsburgh. 

Bottom Line: This all comes down to whether the Bengals can join the Ravens as a Super Bowl contender. I think they will, and the Steelers have enough talent around Rodgers to be decent. That lands the AFC North here even if the Browns struggle. 

3. NFC East

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Jayden Daniels

2024 Results: 36-32, minus-6 scoring margin, 2 playoff teams (won SB, lost NFCC)

Improvements: The Commanders were on the rise even before getting reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels a new left tackle (Laremy Tunsil) and starting receiver (Deebo Samuel). The Cowboys have a healthy Dak Prescott and have added George Pickens, and the Giants have two shiny, new first-round picks as well as a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Wilson. 

Deterioration: Super Bowl champs always take some hits and the Eagles were no different with Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Mekhi Becton and others departing.

Bottom Line: Philly and Washington could easily meet again in the NFC title game, Dallas has a ceiling in that range as well, and the Giants are on the way up. This is a high-quality group.

2. AFC West

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Bo Nix

2024 Results: 40-28, plus-149 scoring margin, 3 playoff teams (lost SB, lost WC, lost WC)

Improvements: Both the Broncos and Chargers look primed to take off in what is the second year for quarterback Bo Nix in Denver and head coach Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. It's hard to keep Harbaugh and Sean Payton down, and the former has a quarterback coming off a breakout campaign as well. The Raiders have clear flaws but did bring in Geno Smith as an upgrade under center.

Deterioration: The aging Chiefs are merely treading water at this point. 

Bottom Line: That said, Kansas City remains a prime Super Bowl contender thanks to Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, and the Broncos and Chargers both have top-10 potential. Throw in that Las Vegas is far from a dog, and this clearly remains the best division in the AFC.

1. NFC North

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Caleb Williams

2024 Results: 45-23, plus-384 scoring margin, 3 playoff teams (lost Div, lost WC, lost WC)

Improvements: The Bears have completely revamped their offensive line for second-year No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, while the Packers have finally given quarterback Jordan Love a first-round receiver. 

Deterioration: You could make the case the unestablished J.J. McCarthy is a bigger risk at quarterback in Minnesota than Sam Darnold was, but the sophomore first-round pick has a lot more upside. 

Bottom Line: It's tough for the Lions and Vikings to build on what they already have, but no major steps backward were taken, and the Bears and Packers should be better. It's hard to argue any other division should be in the top spot.