Ranking the NFL's Divisions from Worst to First Entering 2026

While seven wild-card teams have won the Super Bowl, winning a division remains the best first step for NFL teams hoping to make a championship run. Of course, winning the division is always a bigger challenge for some teams than others.

This past season, for example, the NFC West sent two teams to the NFC title game, while all four NFC North teams finished with nine wins or more. The Carolina Panthers, meanwhile, won the NFC South with an 8-9 record.

Plenty has changed in the NFL since last season, though, so now's a good time to check back in on each division and see how they stack up heading into camp.

For this exercise, we'll consider last season's results, major offseason moves, and where teams landed in Bleacher Report's latest power rankings—we'll assign power-ranking points to each division based on each team's spot, with 32 points being awarded for the No. 1-ranked team, one point for the 32nd-ranked team, and so on.

8. NFC South

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Panthers QB Bryce Young

2025 Results: 30-38, 1 playoff team (lost WC)

Reigning Champs: Carolina Panthers (8-9)

PR Points: 47

Biggest Additions

The Atlanta Falcons got a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski and a potential new quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. If the duo can deliver the sort of offensive stability that the Falcons lacked in 2025, they should be prepared to challenge the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the division.

Tagovailoa is set to compete with Michael Penix Jr., who is working his way back from a torn ACL.

The New Orleans Saints already appear poised to challenge Carolina and Tampa Bay. Tyler Shough looked like a franchise-caliber quarterback as a rookie, and New Orleans got him a promising new receiver in Jordyn Tyson.

Tampa addressed a very underwhelming pass rush by signing Al-Quadin Muhammad and drafting Rueben Bain Jr.

Biggest Departures

The Buccaneers are looking to return to divisional contention after seeing their four-year NFC South reign end last season. However, they'll have to do it without linebacker Lavonte David (retirement) and wide receiver Mike Evans (FA departure), both longtime franchise staples.

The Falcons parted with Kirk Cousins, who was their best starting quarterback in 2025.

Overview

If Shough builds on what he accomplished last season, Bryce Young takes another positive step, Baker Mayfield stays healthy, and the Falcons find a quarterback, the NFC South could quickly become one of the most exciting divisions in football.

Last season, Carolina won the NFC South for the first time since its 2015 Super Bowl run. Young had a career-best campaign, and the Panthers fielded a fairly solid defense that finished the season ranked 15th in points allowed. However, the Panthers weren't a full tier over the rest of the division.

The Bucs began the year looking like one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Then, injuries began to take their toll—Mayfield revealed through Netflix's Quarterback docuseries that he suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in his knee in Week 2 (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times).

Despite a monumental collapse, the Bucs still had a chance to win the division before Atlanta won in Week 18, forcing a three-way tie atop the division that handed it to Carolina. Had the Falcons started Cousins all season, they might have come out on top, and New Orleans might have had the strongest finish of any NFC South team, winning four of its last five.

There's a very real chance that the NFC South sees another very tight race with multiple teams qualifying for the postseason this year. However, the fact that no team finished with a winning record in 2025 speaks volumes. This is a group loaded with promise but also draped in unknowns—many of them at the all-important quarterback position.

While the NFC South appears headed in the right direction, potential alone won't deliver success.

7. NFC East

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts

2025 Results: 27-40-1, 1 playoff team (lost WC)

Reigning Champs: Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

PR Points: 56

Biggest Additions

The New York Giants are beginning a new era with young players like Malik Nabers, Cam Skattebo, and quarterback Jaxson Dart. This offseason, they added a Super Bowl-winning coach in John Harbaugh to the equation.

While the Giants are in a good place to build for the future, the Dallas Cowboys are in a position to return to contention now.

Dallas fielded the league's second-ranked offense last season but also had the league's worst scoring defense. However, it added the likes of Dee Winters, Rashan Gary, Cobie Durant, Caleb Downs, and Malachi Lawrence to the other side of the ball this offseason.

Biggest Departures

The NFC East lost a couple of very talented players in offseason trades. The Giants picked up a second first-round pick (10th overall) before the draft, but they did so by dealing star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

The Philadelphia Eagles waited until after the draft—and after taking USC receiver Makai Lemon in the first round—before sending A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. It had felt like Brown's time in Philadelphia had run its course, but his talent and play style won't be easy to replace.

Overview

As a group, the NFC East has the potential to be a very improved division in 2026.

If Harbaugh can get the most out of New York's roster—and players like Dart, Nabers and Skattebo can get and stay healthy—the Giants could make some noise during the regular season. The Cowboys, meanwhile, could make noise in the postseason if their defense plays up to its potential.

Dallas' offense, led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams, should be potent once again.

The Eagles are the defending division champs and just won the Super Bowl two seasons ago. They'll need players like Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks to replace the void created by Brown's departure. They'll also need to field a cohesive offense under first-time coordinator Sean Mannion.

However, Philly still has one of the NFL's most complete rosters on paper.

The Washington Commanders loom as a bit of a wild card in the East. They reached the NFC title game two years ago but stumbled through multiple key injuries and some poor defensive play in 2025, which led to some offseason changes.

Washington enters camp with a new defensive coordinator in Daronte Jones and a new offensive coordinator in David Blough.

If Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels can stay healthy this season, the Commanders, Cowboys, and Eagles could all be threats to make the postseason. However, we can't ignore the fact that the NFC East delivered one playoff team and zero playoff wins last season.

6. AFC North

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) meet on the field after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh Sunday, Jan. 4

2025 Results: 29-39, 1 playoff team (lost WC)

Reigning Champs: Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

PR Points: 55

Biggest Additions

Three-fourths of the AFC North made head coaching changes this offseason. The Baltimore Ravens replaced John Harbaugh with Jesse Minter, while the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, who stepped down at the end of the season.

The Cleveland Browns replaced Kevin Stefanski with former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

While the coaching changes are certainly noteworthy, the AFC North added a few of marquee players, too. The Steelers traded for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., while the Cincinnati Bengals traded for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

The Ravens went out and signed former Bengals star defender Trey Hendrickson.

Biggest Departures

Given the stability they've brought to their franchises, Harbaugh and Tomlin must be viewed as noteworthy departures. Tomlin's pivot to the television studio could be particularly problematic for Pittsburgh considering the team never experienced a losing season under his guidance.

In terms of on-field talent, no departure was bigger than that of Myles Garrett. Cleveland traded away its best player—and the NFL's new single-season sack king—in an effort to fuel its latest rebuild.

Overview

Just a couple of years ago, the AFC North might have been viewed as the best division in football. The division sent three teams to the playoffs in 2023, while its lone non-playoff team (Cincinnati) finished 9-8.

Now, the AFC North is one of the league's most lackluster divisions, arguably no better than the NFC East.

While the NFC East earned a slight edge in the B/R power rankings, the AFC North performed slightly better overall last season. The AFC North also has the potential to rebound in a big way in 2026.

The rebuilding Browns probably won't be playoff-relevant, but the Bengals and Ravens could reenter the postseason picture. In fact, both could become Super Bowl threats if the right pieces fall into place.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is an MVP-caliber player when healthy and at his best. If he can return to form while Minter helps reestablish a quality defense, Baltimore should challenge the top teams in the conference.

The Bengals won't have a shot at returning to the playoffs if quarterback Joe Burrow cannot stay healthy. However, they took significant steps to reload a defense that ranked 31st overall last season.

If Burrow can stay healthy while Cincinnati fields a functional defense, the Bengals could make a deep postseason run.

Despite being the reigning divisional champs, the Steelers might be the biggest wild cards in the division. Aaron Rodgers is back for one last ride, and it'll be interesting to see if his reunion with McCarthy helps Pittsburgh successfully navigate the post-Tomlin era.

5. AFC East

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looks towards his bench during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25

2025 Results: 36-32 record, 2 playoff teams (lost DIV, lost SB)

Reigning Champs: New England Patriots (14-3)

PR Points: 61

Biggest Additions

The New England Patriots didn't fare well in Super Bowl LX, but they reached the NFL's biggest stage and have since addressed two of their biggest needs. Rookie first-round pick Caleb Lomu should help improve the line in front of third-year quarterback Drake Maye, while veteran wideout A.J. Brown will give him a legitimate No. 1 target.

The Buffalo Bills also added a new top receiver, trading for D.J. Moore.

The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, meanwhile, added new starting quarterbacks in Malik Willis and Geno Smith, respectively.

Biggest Departures

The Patriots needed a new No. 1 receiver because they parted with Stefon Diggs early in the offseason. The Dolphins needed a new quarterback—and just about everything else—because they ripped their roster and front office down to the studs.

Miami is in the beginning stages of a massive rebuild that has seen the departure of head coach Mike McDaniel, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, wideout Jaylen Waddle, edge-rusher Bradley Chubb, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick—and that's just since the beginning of the offseason.

The Bills aren't rebuilding but made the stunning decision to fire head coach Sean McDermott following a loss in the divisional round.

Overview

This may feel like a low ranking for the AFC East, considering the Patriots are the defending conference champs, while the Bills have been perennial contenders during the Josh Allen era. Both teams should be in the playoff mix again this season, though each carries questions.

The Patriots will have to avoid the dreaded Super Bowl hangover while actually seeing improvements to Maye's supporting cast. Buffalo, meanwhile, needs to shift from McDermott to OC-turned-head-coach Joe Brady to yield positive results.

Even if the Patriots and Bills remain in contention, though, this is a very top-heavy division.

The Dolphins are in the very beginning stages of their latest rebuild, and while Willis may add some playmaking ability to the offense, their roster lacks depth and talent overall.

The Jets, meanwhile, are most likely playing for 2027 and beyond. While incoming rookies David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., and D'Angelo Ponds should be fun to watch this season, New York's next quarterback of the future probably isn't on the roster.

The 2027 draft class, which is expected to be headlined by Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Darian Mensah and other top signal-callers, is almost certainly where the Jets' next QB resides. New York already owns three first-round picks in next year's draft.

4. AFC South

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) and Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) meet on the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7

2025 Results: 36-32, 2 playoff teams (lost WC, lost DIV)

Reigning Champs: Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)

PR Points: 69

Biggest Additions

The Houston Texans, who just won a playoff game for the third-straight season, made a couple of key additions this offseason. They traded for running back David Montgomery and added Braden Smith, Wyatt Teller, and Keylan Rutledge to their offensive line.

The Tennessee Titans made even more changes following a third-straight last-place finish. They added a new head coach in Robert Saleh before upgrading the roster with players like Wan'Dale Robinson, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson II, Austin Schlottmann, and rookie fourth overall pick Carnell Tate.

Biggest Departures

The Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC South and saw their roster get raided in free agency, as one might expect. The list of 2025 starters who departed Jacksonville includes running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Devin Lloyd, and safety Andrew Wingard.

The Colts traded receiver Michael Pittman Jr. after re-signing Alec Pierce on a four-year, $116 million extension.

Overview

The Jaguars were one of the NFL's bigger surprises in 2025 and snapped Houston's two-year stranglehold on the AFC South. Their resurgence largely stemmed from the arrival of head coach Liam Coen and the resurgence of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

While replacing players like Etienne and Lloyd will be critical, the Jags should be back in the playoff mix this season.

However, it won't be a surprise to see Houston reclaim the division in the coming months. The Texans fielded the league's No. 1-ranked defense a year ago, and they've since taken steps to upgrade their offensive line and backfield.

If upgrading the offensive supporting cast helps quarterback C.J. Stroud return to the Pro Bowl form he showed as a rookie in 2023, Houston should be one of the most dangerous teams in the entire conference.

The Colts could also be in the postseason mix this season, though plenty will hinge on the health of quarterback Daniel Jones. Indy was 8-2 in mid-November last season before Jones started playing through a fibula fracture and eventually suffered a torn Achilles.

Fortunately for the Colts, Jones' recovery appears to be going well.

"I'm doing everything. Cleared to do everything. I think it's just about, at this point, sharpening that," Jones told reporters earlier this month (h/t Jame Boyd of The Athletic).

The Titans aren't widely expected to contend in the AFC South this season, but they could still make a significant jump. Quarterback Cam Ward showed a lot of promise as a rookie last season, and he could be poised for a second-year jump with better coaching and an improved supporting cast.

If Ward begins playing up to his potential as the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, Tennessee will be poised to steal a divisional win or two.

3. AFC West

AP Photo/Eric Thayer

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, left, shakes hands with Broncos quarterback Bo Nix after an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 19,

2025 Results: 34-34, 2 playoff teams (lost WC, lost AFCC)

Reigning Champs: Denver Broncos (14-3)

PR Points: 76

Biggest Additions

As a group, the AFC West made several notable additions, though one team made the most notable of them.

The Denver Broncos traded for Jaylen Waddle to give quarterback Bo Nix a new No. 1 target, while the Kansas City Chiefs added a new starting running back in reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. The Los Angeles Chargers added offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and rebuilt their interior offensive line by adding Cole Strange, Tyler Biadasz, and Jake Slaughter.

The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, had arguably the best offseason in the NFL. The list of new additions in Vegas includes head coach Klint Kubiak, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebacker Nakobe Dean, cornerback Taron Johnson, linebacker Quay Walker, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, and rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Biggest Departures

While the division didn't see many major departures overall, two big ones came from Kansas City. The Chiefs traded star cornerback Trent McDuffie before losing fellow starting corner Jaylen Watson in free agency.

Overview

While the AFC West might not be the best division in the NFL this season, it figures to be the most interesting.

The Broncos were the top regular-season team in the conference last year and may have reached Super Bowl LX had Bo Nix not suffered a broken ankle in the divisional round. Assuming Nix is back to 100 percent to open the season, Denver should be right back in the thick of the top-seed race.

The Chargers have made the playoffs in each of their two seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh and are highly unlikely to fall out of the playoff mix following some savvy offseason moves. Getting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back from injuries will certainly help, as will the arrival of McDaniel.

"His quarterback-friendly and proven system should place Justin Herbert in the MVP conversation and make the Chargers more potent," B/R's Brent Sobleski wrote in the Bleacher Report power rankings.

The Chiefs fell out of playoff contention last season, even before Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear. His recovery will obviously be the key to Kansas City's campaign. However, he's still eyeing a Week 1 return, and it won't surprise many if he's able to lift the Chiefs back into the postseason mix.

The Raiders aren't expected to be contenders, but they should be one of the NFL's most improved squads this season. They've made improvements on both sides of the ball, have a head coach who can get the most out of offensive standouts Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, and should see steadier quarterback play—regardless of which signal-caller opens the season as the starter.

2. NFC North

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs with the ball against the Rams during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18

2025 Results: 38-29-1, 2 playoff teams (lost WC, lost DIV)

Reigning Champs: Chicago Bears (11-6)

PR Points: 75

Biggest Additions

The Minnesota Vikings made the single biggest addition to the NFC North this offseason when they added quarterback Kyler Murray. While Murray hasn't been an above-average starter in several years, he is a former Pro Bowler with a dynamic dual-threat skill set that could change the complexion of Minnesota's offense.

As we saw two years ago, the Vikings have the talent to vie for the NFC's top seed when it has quality quarterback play.

The Chicago Bears won the NFC North last season, though, and have since reloaded a defense that was functional but heavily turnover-dependent. Additions like Coby Bryant, Devin Bush, and rookie first-round pick Dillon Thieneman will give Chicago a fair chance to repeat.

Biggest Departures

To make room for players like Bryant and Bush, the Bears parted with former starters like Kevin Byard III and Tremaine Edmunds. They also traded away wide receiver D.J. Moore, who was a 1,300-yard receiver and the team's top target just three seasons ago.

Overview

The Bears have something special in quarterback Caleb Williams, who engineered a whopping seven fourth-quarter comebacks last season, playoffs included. He and first-year head coach Ben Johnson have Chicago looking like a perennial contender in the NFC North.

A couple of years ago, it was the Detroit Lions who looked to have staying power atop the division. Detroit is still a very talented team, but injuries, inconsistent offense, and last season's departure of Johnson (formerly the Lions' offensive coordinator) might have it facing a closing window.

The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, haven't won the division since 2021, but they've made the playoffs in each of the past three years. They have their own promising young quarterback in Jordan Love, and they have a terrific overall supporting cast.

If star pass-rusher Micah Parsons (ACL) can be close to 100 percent early in the season, Green Bay should be a massive threat to claim the NFC North crown.

The wild card here is Minnesota, which got very inconsistent play from quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025 but still recorded nine wins. If Murray can provide the stability that McCarthy hasn't, the Vikings may be back to where they were two years ago when they won 14 games with Sam Darnold.

With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Jauan Jennings leading their receiving corps, the Vikings are possibly a quarterback away from fielding the NFL's most dangerous passing attack.

In a vacuum, all four NFC North teams could be playoff threats in 2026—and divisional matchups are likely to prevent any one team from running away with the division.

1. NFC West

AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File

Sam Darnold

2025 Results: 41-27, 3 playoff teams (lost DIV, lost NFCC, won SB)

Reigning Champs: Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

PR Points: 89

Biggest Additions

The Los Angeles Rams made several additions that could shift the landscape of the NFC West this season.

Already boasting the league's top offense, Los Angeles added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to its defense before acquiring star edge-rusher Myles Garrett. Those additions helped boost L.A. into the top spot on the B/R power rankings.

The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers brought some exciting players into the division, adding Jeremiyah Love and Mike Evans, respectively. However, the biggest new additions are Rams.

Biggest Departures

Other teams often look to pry away pieces of a Super Bowl champion, and the Seattle Seahawks lost a few key contributors this offseason. Kenneth Walker III, safety Coby Bryant, cornerback Riq Woolen and edge Boye Mafe are among the former Seattle standouts who are now playing elsewhere.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, parted with longtime quarterback and 2019 first overall pick Kyler Murray.

Overview

Placing the NFC West ahead of the NFC North wasn't the easiest of calls. The North has four teams that could potentially reach the postseason and make some real noise. The Cardinals, who will start Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, or rookie third-rounder Carson Beck at quarterback, aren't expected to be playoff relevant.

However, the NFC West is still a division that boasts the defending Super Bowl champions and the top-ranked team in the B/R power rankings. And while the 49ers might not be quite as threatening as the Rams and Seahawks, they can't be taken lightly.

All three teams that the division sent to the playoffs in 2025 recorded at least one playoff win.

San Francisco dealt with multiple injuries in 2025 and still managed to be in the thick of the top-seed race in the NFC. Had the 49ers beaten the Seahawks in the regular-season finale, they'd have had a first-round bye instead of Seattle.

The Seahawks got the bye instead, though, and beat both San Francisco and Los Angeles en route to Super Bowl LX. Yet, the Rams are now widely considered the Super Bowl favorites—and it shouldn't come as a surprise.

Los Angeles has the reigning MVP in Matthew Stafford and returns the bulk of an offense that ranked first in yards and points last season. It then added a strong pair of starting cornerbacks and arguably the best edge-rusher in recent memory.

Anything less than a Super Bowl appearance will probably be viewed as a disappointment for L.A., and both Seattle and San Francisco can feel similarly. The NFC West may not be strong from top to bottom, but the trio at the top is the best in the league.