- The AFC West and NFC North undertaking because the strongest divisions in 2025: Each options a number of playoff-caliber groups and little to no weak hyperlinks, making each divisional matchup a high-stakes contest.
- Several rising groups might reshape the playoff panorama: The Texans, Commanders and Falcons have made key offseason enhancements that place them to contend in 2025.
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With sweeping adjustments throughout the league following free company and the 2025 NFL Draft, a number of divisions look dramatically completely different heading into the brand new season. From blockbuster trades and training adjustments to franchise-altering draft picks, each workforce has both reloaded or been left behind.
Now that the mud has settled, it is time to reassess the panorama. Here’s how all eight NFL divisions stack up, ranked by the general energy of the groups inside them.
1. NFC NORTH: LIONS, VIKINGS, PACKERS, BEARS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 37
The Lions, Vikings and Packers all completed the 2024 season ranked inside the highest 10 of PFF’s energy rankings. The Bears have been the one workforce within the NFC North to fall outdoors that vary, touchdown at No. 24. However, with important upgrades to their inside offensive line — which posted only a 70.1 blocking grade — and sweeping adjustments to the teaching workers, Chicago is a professional darkish horse to contend for a wild-card spot.
Coaching transitions in Detroit and a quarterback change in Minnesota add some uncertainty, however prime to backside, this division is loaded with aggressive rosters. Every NFC North matchup in 2025 figures to be a battle — a real assassin’s row on the divisional slate.
2. AFC WEST: CHIEFS, CHARGERS, RAIDERS, BRONCOS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 37
The Chiefs are nonetheless the Chiefs, winners of 9 straight AFC West titles and contemporary off a 3rd consecutive convention championship. They stay the workforce to beat, ending final season ranked No. 2 in PFF’s energy rankings. But the hole could also be closing. The Broncos, who ranked fourth in workforce defensive grade (78.8) and second in EPA allowed per play in 2024, made notable additions with Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Jahdae Barron. If Bo Nix takes a step ahead in his second season, Denver might rapidly turn into one of many league’s hardest opponents.
Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers are coming off a wild-card berth and are constructed to contend for double-digit wins once more in 2025. And even the “worst” workforce within the division — now led by Pete Carroll with Geno Smith at quarterback — is way from a straightforward out. There’s no gentle touchdown within the AFC West anymore.
3. NFC WEST: RAMS, CARDINALS, SEAHAWKS, 49ERS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 37
If the Cardinals take the following step — and there’s purpose to imagine they’ll — the NFC West might flip right into a four-team slugfest. Kyler Murray quietly posted his second-highest big-time throw charge (4.7%) in 2024 whereas conserving his turnover-worthy play share at a career-low 2.4%. With the defensive reinforcements Arizona added this offseason, they’re well-positioned to push for a 10-win marketing campaign.
The Rams stay one of many hardest outs within the league, and if not for the blizzard of their playoff recreation in opposition to the Eagles, they may have been on their strategy to the NFC Championship Game. Seattle faces extra uncertainty, with Sam Darnold stepping in at quarterback and no D.Okay. Metcalf within the receiving corps. As for the 49ers, well being would be the largest variable, however one key space they addressed was the run protection, which ranked twenty eighth within the NFL final yr by way of run-defense grade. Their draft class ought to go a great distance towards correcting that.
4. AFC NORTH: RAVENS, BENGALS, STEELERS, BROWNS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 34
The AFC North stays a aggressive division, nevertheless it’s now not the juggernaut it was only a few years in the past. The Ravens have claimed back-to-back division titles and are firmly of their Super Bowl window heading into 2025. The Bengals, with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins all returning, ought to once more subject one of many league’s most harmful offenses. However, their protection regressed in 2024, rating twentieth in EPA per play. Getting Trey Hendrickson again on the sphere and within the fold might be key — if the protection can maintain up, Burrow is greater than able to carrying them to a playoff berth.
In Pittsburgh, it is almost sacrilegious to foretell a shedding season, however regardless of having one of many league’s finest defensive traces, there’s little to get enthusiastic about offensively. The workforce nonetheless hasn’t locked in Aaron Rodgers, and even when they do, it’s questionable how nicely he matches Arthur Smith’s scheme. If not Rodgers, rookie Will Howard might find yourself being the man — a significant gamble in a aggressive division.
As for the Browns, their quarterback scenario is a full-blown thriller, with 4 gamers reportedly in rivalry for the beginning job. Kevin Stefanski has two Coach of the Year awards, however the workforce’s win whole projection (4.5) tells the story.
5. NFC EAST: EAGLES, COMMANDERS, COWBOYS, GIANTS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 34
The NFC East despatched each representatives to the NFC championship recreation final January, however these two groups — the Eagles and Commanders — are carrying a lot of the weight for the division as a complete.
Philadelphia misplaced key expertise in free company, however reloaded successfully sufficient to stay one of many favorites to return to the Super Bowl in 2025. Washington, in the meantime, struck gold with Jayden Daniels, who earned PFF’s Rookie of the Year honors. The offense appears promising, however the protection should enhance after rating twenty ninth in workforce grade (60.0), together with a 54.2 run-defense grade and simply 258 whole pressures (twenty first). Upgrades within the entrance seven are a step in the proper route.
The Cowboys have been derailed by accidents at quarterback final season, and whereas the arrival of Brian Schottenheimer as head coach brings some uncertainty, they nonetheless have the expertise to be aggressive — particularly if the run protection, which graded out at a league-worst 49.3 in 2024, can bounce again.
As for the Giants, their quarterback scenario stays unresolved, with three gamers at the moment in rivalry for the beginning position. The offensive line hasn’t seen significant enchancment, which raises issues no matter who begins underneath heart. However, the additions of Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland ought to assist bolster a secondary that ranked twenty sixth in protection grade (52.5) final season.
6. NFC SOUTH: BUCS, FALCONS, PANTHERS, SAINTS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 30
The Buccaneers have claimed the NFC South crown in 4 straight seasons, matching the Saints’ longest run for the reason that division’s inception in 2002. Despite shedding offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Tampa Bay brings again a lot of its core and tasks as soon as once more because the division favourite, hovering round a 10-win expectation.
The Falcons might be primed for a breakout offensively. They boast a robust offensive line, elite talent expertise in Drake London and Bijan Robinson, and the potential for fireworks if Michael Penix Jr. — who ended the 2024 season with a stellar 94.5 passing grade in Week 18 — is unleashed. Their protection, nevertheless, stays a priority and might be what holds them again from true rivalry.
The Panthers have been among the many league’s worst groups final yr, ending thirty first in PFF’s energy rankings and incomes a dismal 45.0 workforce defensive grade, together with only a 37.5 grade in opposition to the run. That mentioned, they’ve made main upgrades on protection by way of each free company and the draft and added a real WR1 in Tetiaroa McMillan. Carolina might be a sneaky riser in 2025 if these items click on.
The Saints, in the meantime, seem headed for a rebuild. With Derek Carr now retired, uncertainty at quarterback looms, and the roster round that place will not be robust sufficient to compensate. An extended yr might be forward in New Orleans.
7. AFC EAST: BILLS, PATRIOTS, DOLPHINS, JETS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 34
The Bills have claimed the AFC East title 5 years working and stay well-positioned to increase that streak. Josh Allen continues to play at an elite stage, posting 5 consecutive seasons with a top-tier offensive grade, a testomony to his consistency and ceiling as one of many recreation’s most impactful quarterbacks.
The Patriots, in the meantime, might shock individuals. Despite coming off a tough 2024 marketing campaign, their over/underneath win whole of 8.5 displays main organizational adjustments. The roster and training workers are just about unrecognizable from a yr in the past. If rookie quarterback Drake Maye takes a significant step ahead, New England might enter the playoff dialog.
The Dolphins took a transparent step again in 2024, ending with eight wins, and expectations shouldn’t be a lot larger in 2025. With lingering questions on either side of the ball, it’s exhausting to undertaking important enchancment, and a slight regression wouldn’t be shocking.
Then there’s the Jets, arguably the largest wildcard within the division. With Justin Fields underneath heart, count on a run-heavy method and loads of shut video games. The protection ought to hold them aggressive, however whether or not they can flip these shut contests into wins stays to be seen.
8. AFC SOUTH: TEXANS, JAGUARS, COLTS, TITANS
Cumulative over/underneath win whole: 30
The Texans captured their second straight AFC South title in 2024 behind rising star C.J. Stroud, however their offensive line stays a priority. Outside of Laremy Tunsil — who’s now not with the workforce — no lineman earned a grade above 70.5 final season. That mentioned, Houston’s protection ought to proceed to fly round and hold them atop the division because the workforce to beat.
The Jaguars are firmly within the combine, as nicely. Their success might hinge on how rapidly new offensive coordinator Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence can set up chemistry. Much will even depend upon how they make the most of two-way expertise Travis Hunter, whose influence might be felt on either side of the ball.
The Colts face uncertainty at quarterback, however their protection supplies a stable basis. They earned a 74.5 workforce defensive grade in 2024 and will take one other step ahead this yr.
As for the Titans, the rebuild remains to be in full swing. Even with Cam Ward underneath heart, they enter 2025 as a workforce probably headed for an additional top-five draft decide. After ending as PFF’s lowest-ranked workforce final season, expectations stay low whereas they work to reshape the roster.