Best division in the NFL? AFC North or NFC West?

[Jikkle]

Now that the draft is over and we're entering in the dog days of the NFL offseason it's time for some good ole meaningless discussion topics.

Looking at both the AFC North and NFC West it's tough to argue against them being the two best divisions in football as of today and honestly I was having a tough time thinking of a time when the NFL had two divisions this strong at the same time.

As of today I give a very slight nod to the NFC West because I can make a case for every team to win the division and I can make a case for every team to be last in the division. It wouldn't be my prediction but I could make a legit argument for a 12 win Seahawks team from the previous season to finish last in the division this season but still have a good season.

With the AFC North the Bengals just drag it down a little too much and I can't make a case for them to make the playoffs or win the division like I can with every team in the NFC West but the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns are so strong it does make it a very close call.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I'll go with the NFC West here for the reasons @Jikkle gave.

 

[PDay8810]

NFC West and it's not all that close

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Now that the draft is over and we're entering in the dog days of the NFL offseason it's time for some good ole meaningless discussion topics.

Looking at both the AFC North and NFC West it's tough to argue against them being the two best divisions in football as of today and honestly I was having a tough time thinking of a time when the NFL had two divisions this strong at the same time.

As of today I give a very slight nod to the NFC West because I can make a case for every team to win the division and I can make a case for every team to be last in the division. It wouldn't be my prediction but I could make a legit argument for a 12 win Seahawks team from the previous season to finish last in the division this season but still have a good season.

With the AFC North the Bengals just drag it down a little too much and I can't make a case for them to make the playoffs or win the division like I can with every team in the NFC West but the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns are so strong it does make it a very close call.

I don't think either are best div in the NFL. 2 years ago I'd give you the NFCW.

But if I have to pick one it's AFCN. Strong drafts with Cincy being the weakest of the four. But this will be Burrows 2nd year so who knows maybe they surprise.

NFCW minus SF didn't have a great offseason/ draft.
AZ is AZ put them in the Cincy category. They always seem to disappoint unfortunately as they're my favorite NFCW team.
LA continues to underperform.
SF should win the div if they can stay healthy.
Sea I think got weaker and 3 picks doesn't bode well for stocking up for the future. Combined that with a pissed of Wilson and key off season losses. An undersized shifty kick returner with avg hands selected with their first picks when there were lots of bigger needs. I think this was a pacifier for Wilson.


My dark horse is the AFCE. Strong offseasons and good drafts top to bottom. Most post drafts give all As with a couple Bs depending on the source. Sure the Jets have some questions but had a strong draft.

 

[Battlelyon]

I don't think either are best div in the NFL. 2 years ago I'd give you the NFCW.

But if I have to pick one it's AFCN. Strong drafts with Cincy being the weakest of the four. But this will be Burrows 2nd year so who knows maybe they surprise.

NFCW minus SF didn't have a great offseason/ draft.
AZ is AZ put them in the Cincy category. They always seem to disappoint unfortunately as they're my favorite NFCW team.
LA continues to underperform.
SF should win the div if they can stay healthy.
Sea I think got weaker and 3 picks doesn't bode well for stocking up for the future. Combined that with a pissed of Wilson and key off season losses. An undersized shifty kick returner with avg hands selected with their first picks when there were lots of bigger needs. I think this was a pacifier for Wilson.


My dark horse is the AFCE. Strong offseasons and good drafts top to bottom. Most post drafts give all As with a couple Bs depending on the source. Sure the Jets have some questions but had a strong draft.

Where do you come up with this shit?

 

[Clayton]

So when we're talking about the Bengals, the infusion of Chase, Carman and Reiff might be immediately noticeable. Burrow will be 25 next year and if he is healthy I think that offense might be humming.

The issue here is that they'll probably be rocking a bottom tier defense. And you also have to factor in Burrows injury maybe complicating things. So if I was power ranking teams, I'd probably have Cinci somewhere around 25 and none of the other teams in these two divisions would be below 20.

It wouldn't shock me if Cleveland and Baltimore were both better than any NFC West team next year, though. Not 100% sold on either QB enough to say that will be but there is a good chance they will.

 

[broncosmitty]

NFCWest for me.

The Jets are not a good football team.

 

[Clayton]

My way-too-soon divisional rankings would probably look like this:

NFCW > AFCN > AFCE > NFCS > AFCW > NFCN > NFCE > AFCS

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Where do you come up with this shit?

First it's an opinion based on what has happened recently. No one knows yet how any FA moves or this years draft will pan out.

Second, what do you see inaccurate? Are my comments about the draft in line with a majority of the so called experts? Sure you can always find one or two experts that think differently.

Or was it the comment about your underperforming Lambs that hurt your feelings? Am I wrong? Have they won a SB with all that talent? That window is closing quickly.

Does/has SF not been a contender minus injuries?

Is AZ not AZ? Same thing year in and year out. Expectations high then they fizzle.

Am I wrong about what I said on Seattle?


AFCE being my darkhorse is that crazy? Buf, Mia both surging up. NE had a GREAT offseason they will contend and the NYJ like I said will likely be the bottom but you never know?

Keep your emtions in check and reply if you have anything constructive to add.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

NFCWest for me.

The Jets are not a good football team.

The Jets play in the AFCE.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

It wouldn't be my prediction but I could make a legit argument for a 12 win Seahawks team from the previous season to finish last in the division this season but still have a good season.

I was just thinking this while watching the draft.

And I actually think this is worth putting some money on this year if you can get that bet. Seattle was possibly the worst 12-4 team in NFL history last year and they get the first place schedule (not as impactful as it sounds, but can matter). They really haven't improved. Every other NFC West team has. I think they're looking at 8-8 or so next year. They drop one more game than that and it just may be good enough for last place.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

The Jets play in the AFCE.

True. But that doesn't make his statement incorrect.

 

[RaZon]

Only one division in the NFL has all four teams winning a SB

NFC East

Right now....Yep, NFC West

 

[Montalban]

Gotta be the NFC West, The 49ers are probably the league's best team, the Rams are probably top 5 and the Seahawks and Cardinals top 10

 

[broncosmitty]

The Jets play in the AFCE.

That’s my mistake.

Didn’t think anyone would assume the AFCNorth was close enough to compare to the NFCWest.

Judging by the poll...

 

[NWPATSFAN]

True. But that doesn't make his statement incorrect.

Correct but didn't answer the OP.

 

[broncosmitty]

Correct but didn't answer the OP.

In my head I did. Lol

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Gotta be the NFC West, The 49ers are probably the league's best team, the Rams are probably top 5 and the Seahawks and Cardinals top 10

What are you basing this on?

SF has a great roster and potential new franchise QB but were terrible last year.

Zona was 8-8

Rams maybe top 5 two seasons ago but are trending the wrong way.

Seattle's record puts them right around top 5. But they appear to have gotten weaker. New OC. Disgruntled Wilson.

 

[TheLonestarDUCK]

What are you basing this on?

SF has a great roster and potential new franchise QB but were terrible last year.

Zona was 8-8

Rams maybe top 5 two seasons ago but are trending the wrong way.

Seattle's record puts them right around top 5. But they appear to have gotten weaker. New OC. Disgruntled Wilson.

Vote is 12-0 —- LOL

Why do you think the Niners were the NFC’s best to what you call terrible in one year????

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Vote is 12-0 —- LOL

Why do you think the Niners were the NFC’s best to what you call terrible in one year????

The OP is between two divs that may or may not be the best.

If you look I picked SF to win that div. Like I mentioned it's an opinion based on current and past performance and roster moves. None of us have a crystal ball.


Before this spins too far out of control, what are we basing our arguments on?

What does the best div in football even mean?
Best combined record of all 4 teams?
Best competition amongst each team in the div. Each team splits 1-1?
Does SoS count?
#of teams making the playoffs?
SB winner?