Not every NFL division is created equally. While a few divisions boast competitive teams from top to bottom, others have clear favorites in 2024.
Which NFL divisions are the best? Pro Football Network ranks the NFL’s eight divisions, starting with a quartet of teams whose champion hasn’t won more than nine games in either of the past two seasons.
NFL Divisions Ranked From Worst to Best
8) NFC South
Preseason favorite: Atlanta Falcons (-120)
The Buccaneers have won the last three NFC South trophies but couldn’t manage double-digit wins in either of the past two years. Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans return on new contracts, and Tampa Bay will bring back most of the same roster that advanced to the NFC Divisional Round in 2023.
Still, the Bucs aren’t favored to win their fourth straight crown. That’s the Falcons, who signed QB Kirk Cousins this offseason to helm an offense that already included RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, and TE Kyle Pitts.
While Tampa Bay and Atlanta should compete for the playoffs, the Saints and Panthers could be two of the NFL’s worst teams in 2024. New Orleans has more talent than Carolina, but the idea of Bryce Young gives the Panthers far more upside.
7) AFC West
Preseason favorite: Kansas City Chiefs (-230)
Yes, we know the AFC West includes Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who are on the verge of a dynasty as they aim for a third consecutive Super Bowl next season.
But the fact that the AFC West ranks seventh should tell you everything you need to know about the rest of the division.
The Chargers are a sneaky playoff pick in some corners. Head coach and quarterback are the two most critical entities for any NFL team; Los Angeles has those roles figured out with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert. However, the rest of the Bolts’ roster — especially at WR and everywhere on defense — is lacking.
The Raiders have the league’s least interesting quarterback battle (Gardner Minshew vs. Aidan O’Connell), while Sean Payton’s Broncos are still rebuilding.
The Chiefs can probably get a head start on printing the celebratory hats and T-shirts for their ninth consecutive AFC West title.
6) NFC East
Preseason favorite: Philadelphia Eagles (-110)
Although the Cowboys and Eagles made the playoffs in 2023, both clubs’ seasons ended with embarrassing losses in the Wild Card round.
Philadelphia actively upgraded its roster over the offseason, adding free agents like RB Saquon Barkley, EDGE Bryce Huff, and S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson before drafting cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Dallas, hamstrung by ongoing contract negotiations with QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb, made few additions and will enter 2024 with head coach Mike McCarthy squarely on the hot seat. The Cowboys still have more high-end talent than most teams but are undoubtedly a question mark heading into Week 1.
Even if the Eagles and Cowboys take the NFC East down to Week 18 again, the Giants and Commanders are dragging down the division. New York and Washington finished 29th and 30th in PFN’s most recent power rankings; both clubs have 6.5 win totals.
5) AFC South
Preseason favorite: Houston Texans (+105)
If there’s a division that could make these rankings look silly by the end of the 2024 NFL season, it’s probably the AFC South.
C.J. Stroud looked like a 10-year pro for the Texans last season while winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Houston’s offense could go nuclear after adding WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon. Meanwhile, DeMeco Ryans’ defense includes DROY Will Anderson Jr., ascending CB Derek Stingley Jr., and free agent signing Danielle Hunter, who posted a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023.
The Texans hung on to win the AFC South last year over the Colts, who were in the divisional race until the final play of the regular season. Shane Steichen guided Indy to the brink of the dance with Gardner Minshew — just imagine what he can do with uber-athlete Anthony Richardson and a full season of RB Jonathan Taylor.
The breadth of the AFC South continues with the Jaguars, who won the division in 2022, and the Titans, who hired new HC Brian Callahan before going on a free agent spending spree. Trevor Lawrence is Jacksonville’s trump card, but we’ve seen veteran-heavy teams like Tennessee turn into one-year playoff wonders in the past.
4) NFC West
Preseason favorite: San Francisco 49ers (-195)
Only the Chiefs have better divisional odds than the 49ers, even though San Francisco wasn’t the only NFC West playoff team in 2023.
San Francisco still has offensive line questions, but Brock Purdy has more than enough playmakers — including reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey — to overcome any issues upfront. Assuming the 49ers resolve Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation, it’s go-time for Kyle Shanahan’s unit.
Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, and Puka Nacua guided the Rams to a Wild Card appearance last season, but we’re arguably more excited about L.A.’s defensive development.
While the Rams had no chance of replacing a Hall of Famer like Aaron Donald, Los Angeles has a young, intriguing front with Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Jared Verse, and Braden Fiske, along with a secondary comprised almost entirely of veteran free agents.
Seattle had a winning record in 2023, brought back most of its core pieces in 2024, and hired former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald — arguably the NFL’s most creative and detail-oriented coordinator — as head coach. Taking the over on the Seahawks’ 7.5-win total is an easy call, even if they aren’t in the 49ers’ class.
Finally, while the Cardinals still have a ways to go to compete with the 49ers and Rams atop the NFC West, Jonathan Gannon’s team was at least intriguing in 2024. Kyler Murray, who returned from a torn ACL at midseason, looked more comfortable in OC Drew Petzing’s offense as the season progressed and now has WR Marvin Harrison Jr. at his disposal.
3) NFC North
Preseason favorite: Detroit Lions (+135)
While the NFC North hasn’t always been considered a top-notch NFL division, the growth of every team in the group is becoming impossible to ignore.
The Lions should be all systems go on offense after extending QB Jared Goff and getting lucky enough for OC Ben Johnson to rebuff head coaching interest. Former first-round WR Jameson Williams has to take a step forward, and Detroit’s defense needs new pieces like CBs Carlton Davis and Terrion Arnold to click. If that happens, the Lions can win the Super Bowl.
The Packers are right on the Lions’ heels heading into 2024. Now tied as the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback, Jordan Love turned into an MVP candidate with a dominant second-half stretch in 2023. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s defense — stocked with first-round talent and helmed by new DC Jeff Hafley — is a sleeper top-10 unit.
The Bears and Vikings drafted first-round quarterbacks in April, but only Chicago’s Caleb Williams is expected to start from the get-go.
Matt Eberflus’ team is a legitimate playoff contender after adding weapons like Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and D’Andre Swift, giving Williams the best offensive environment for a QB drafted first overall in modern NFL history.
Of course, J.J. McCarthy will throw to Justin Jefferson — the league’s best wideout — whenever he takes over for Sam Darnold in Minnesota.
2) AFC East
Preseason favorite: Buffalo Bills and New York Jets (+180)
The Bills and Jets are the NFL’s only co-division favorites heading into 2024.
Buffalo is searching for its fifth straight AFC title after a Week 18 win against Miami gave Josh Allen and Co. the division last season. Allen remains the league’s best non-Mahomes quarterback, while we’re bullish on a revamped Bills defense.
According to TruMedia, Buffalo’s defense ranked fourth in EPA per play from Week 8 onward despite battling myriad injuries and facing high-powered offenses like the Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys, and Dolphins.
While the Bills’ defense was impressive to close the season, the Jets have the NFL’s top defensive unit. New York bolstered Aaron Rodgers’ offensive line and pass catchers, adding veterans like WR Mike Williams, OTs Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, and G John Simpson. If Rodgers stays healthy at age 40, Gang Green is a Super Bowl contender.
The Dolphins have question marks along the offensive and defensive lines, but Mike McDaniel’s collection of skill players is the envy of every NFL play-caller. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert, and De’Von Achane will allow Miami to score plenty of points, regardless of where Tua Tagovailoa lands in quarterback rankings.
The Patriots aren’t expected to compete for the AFC East title in 2024. However, New England’s defense finished fifth in points per drive last season despite losing two of its best players — EDGE Matthew Judon and CB Christian Gonalez — for large chunks of the year. Even if rookie QB Drake Maye sits or struggles, Jerod Mayo’s defense could raise the Pats’ floor.
1) AFC North
Preseason favorite: Cincinnati Bengals (+140)
Since the NFL moved to four divisions per conference in 2002, the AFC North has sent three teams to the playoffs on four occasions, more than any other division.
The AFC North boasted three postseason entrants in 2011, 2014, 2020, and last season, when Lamar Jackson won his second MVP while guiding the Ravens to the division crown. Baltimore arguably lost the most talent of any AFC North squad this offseason, but Jackson might be even more productive in his second season working with OC Todd Monken.
Still, the Bengals are a slight favorite to win the division. Joe Burrow returns from a season-ending wrist injury, hoping to regain the Pro Bowl form that helped Cincinnati to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2021 campaign. The Bengals are an easy choice as the NFL’s top worst-to-first contender in 2024.
While the Browns might have the NFL’s second-best roster if you don’t count quarterbacks, Deshaun Watson remains an enigma. Plus, the Browns’ defense might be prone to regression after its historic performance in 2023.
According to TruMedia, Cleveland’s defensive success rate (63.5%) was the NFL’s 10th-best mark since 2000. While DC Jim Schwartz will have most of the same players at his disposal, it’s hard to count on his unit being anywhere close to what it was last year.
Meanwhile, the Steelers are betting on a combination of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields under center after moving on from former first-round QB Kenny Pickett. Pittsburgh has wide receiver questions, but Mike Tomlin’s club noticeably improved along the offensive line and still has stars like T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick on defense.