Which Is the Toughest Division in the NFL?

The six-team playoff format for the NFL pressures teams to win their division, because if they don't, there's only two spots left to squeeze your way into the playoffs. To insure a division championship, NFL teams ramp up their play in the six division games, making it easier to control their own division destiny. Just last year, the Bengals de-crowned the Steelers and took the AFC North title by going undefeated in their division.

So, which division is the toughest to win and take home the division title?

Let's take a look:

8. AFC WEST (San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs)

It seems in this division that no matter how well the Broncos play or how badly the Chargers play, San Diego always finds a way to win this division. Denver seems to be very vulnerable to late season break-downs, and Oakland and KC are just doing their best to remain in their respective cities. Until those three teams pull it together, it looks like the Bolts will be sitting good-and-pretty atop this division for a while to come. Predicted Winner Next Year:SD

7. NFC WEST (Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams)

In a way, this division is a three-team race. But, having said that, it isn't an inter-year race. The Seahawks dominated the division for three years in a row, and Arizona has taken over that position for the last two. The 49ers continue to search for a franchise quarterback, but have been right on the tail of the winning team the last few seasons. With Kurt Warner now gone, who knows what next year may have in store for this division? Prediction:SEA

6. NFC NORTH (Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions)

Until this year, the NFC North have been trading playoff spots, but just one. In '06 the Bears made it, in '07 the Packers made it, and in '08 the Vikings made it. In these years, there hasn't been much contesting on the other three teams parts (especially the Lions).The division seems to be closing in, though, with two teams making the playoffs from the NFC North for the first time in a while. Keep an eye on this division, because if Favre retires, who knows whether the Vikings will three-peat next year. Prediction:MIN

5. AFC EAST (New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills)

This division has evolved from one dominated by the Pats into a pretty competitive one, counting out the Bills. The Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time in a while in '08, in part due to a Tom Brady injury. It was proved a competitive one this year when the Jets went into the playoffs along with the Pats (with Brady) and the Phins barely missing the playoffs in a tough AFC. If the Bills get into the party next year, we might have a fight on our hands. But for now, this is just a three-team fight for bragging rights and the playoffs. Prediction:MIA

4. NFC SOUTH (New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

A division full of developing teams is one of many divisions in a three-team race of late. The Saints have come out of their '07-'08 slump and have a shot at the Super Bowl, the Falcons have found new life with Matt Ryan under center as a franchise QB, the Panthers have developed into a power running team (much to the dismay of Steve Smith), and the Bucs havn't contested since '07. If the Falcons can find a defense and the Panthers a passing game, this could be one of the most interesting stories in 2010-11, and possibly a 3-playoff-team division. Prediction:CAR

3. AFC NORTH ( Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns)

This has been an inconsistent one based no number of playoff teams. in '05 there were 2, 1 in '06, in '07 1, in '08 2 and 2 this year. The Browns were contenders in '07 but barely missed the playoffs, and haven't been any good since. The Ravens emerged a year ago and became a powerhouse, and the Steelers have been pretty consistent. The Bengals, mentioned in the opening paragraph, made the playoffs for the first time since '05 this year, knocking out the Steelers.

This is already a solid division, and if the Browns pull it together it could be a photo finish next year. Prediction:BAL

2. NFC EAST (Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Washington Redskins)

This division has featured 2-3 playoff teams for a while now. DAL and PHI this year, PHI and NYG last year, DAL and NYG the year before, WAS NYG and DAL in '06, NYG and WAS in '05, and so on. Although the Redskins dropped out of the race this year, it was a photo finish after NYG's late season free-fall. If New York and Philly play like they did early this year and Dallas like they did late, next year looks like it will be even better. Prediction:NYG

1. AFC SOUTH (Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans)

The Colts, of course, had a phenomenal season this year. Right behind them, the Texans barely missed this season's expectation of the playoffs. Jacksonville bounced back from their terrible season a year ago and, although inconsistent, almost got a playoff spot. Vince Young brought the Titans back from a 0-6 start and were right behind Houston and Jacksonville in the playoff race.

On top of that, Peyton Manning was named to the Pro Bowl but, like Phillip Rivers and Tom Brady, didn't play. They were replaced by Vince Young, David Garrard, and Matt Schuab, the other three QBs in this division. This shows just one of this division's many strengths.

The Colts, with a chance at a Super Bowl this year, should be just as powerful next year, and the other three will all be ramping up their games to make the playoffs. This is definitely the closest division, and the one to watch next season. Prediction:IND