When power ranking divisions in the NFL, a few criteria are always in play. In no particular order, one must make evaluations based on how many teams will finish .500 or better, the distance between the best and worst team and how many teams will make the playoffs. One particular division might contain the league’s No. 1 Super Bowl contender. It might also feature three lackluster squads behind it at the same time. Others may have four teams that will sport winning records at year’s end. And in 2013, former division powers must now kowtow to rising up-and-comers. We’ll now power rank all eight AFC and NFC divisions from No. 8 all the way through to the NFL’s top dog.
No. 8: AFC East
What happens when you have perhaps the AFC’s elite, a question mark and two failures thereafter? The AFC East and the league’s weakest division.
The New England Patriots are clearly one of the presumptive favorites for the Super Bowl out of this conference. Most Bill Belichick-coached and Tom Brady-quarterbacked squads are usually worthy, and this 2013 version is no different.
Unfortunately, the three other teams comprising this division are questionable at best.
General manager Jeff Ireland and the Miami Dolphins organized a fine 2013 squad through marquee free-agent signings and a strong draft. But the final product is far from guaranteed with regards to left tackle, the secondary and a second-year quarterback. We cannot know if the Dolphins will make the playoffs.
Rounding things out are likely division cellar-dwellers, the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Rookie or former has-been quarterbacks will lead these teams, not to mention positional deficiencies existing in too many other areas. There’s no chance either will finish with more than five or six wins.
No. 7: AFC West
Similar to New England, the Denver Broncos represent the class of the AFC.
Unlike its eastern counterpart, the AFC West has much more promise heading into 2013.
The Kansas City Chiefs may very well make a 2012 Colts-like turnaround by going from NFL joke to postseason contender. A new head coach (Andy Reid), quarterback (Alex Smith), underrated draft and bevy of quality free-agent additions could make this happen.
Moreover, an A-worthy draft orchestrated by new general manager Tom Telesco will have the San Diego Chargers ready for a substantial rise in the standings. San Diego picked up premier starters and/or backups at tackle, linebacker, wide receiver and cornerback.
And as bad as the Oakland Raiders are expected to be, they’ll still finish ahead of the Jets in the standings.
No. 6: NFC East
Make acquaintance with the division comprised of an easy favorite, a former NFL champion, a total unknown and an intriguing up-and-comer.
The Robert Griffin III-led Redskins are the certain division winners. Whether RGIII returns in Week One or not, Washington greatly improved on defense through the draft, are sufficiently talented on offense and have a reliable backup QB in Kirk Cousins.
Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin has the champion pedigree and will not allow his squad to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year. Quarterback Eli Manning, an explosive offense and a revamped defensive line will ensure that happens.
The Dallas Cowboys can never be trusted and represent the aforementioned unknown. Ample offensive talent and an 8-8 track record, however, still deem them a viable club.
Lastly, new head coach Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles have the personnel to double their win total from last season. It’s up to quarterback Michael Vick to stay healthy and the defense to maximize the talent of its many new offseason additions.
No. 5: AFC South
The order of these next two divisions could easily be reversed depending on several factors. We’ll place the AFC South at No. 5 for the time being.
What’s certain out of this four-team contingent is the playoff-worthiness of the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Both return postseason qualifiers from the season prior and show little signs of regressing in 2013. The J.J. Watt-powered Texans and Andrew Luck-led Colts are primed for big defensive and offensive years, respectively.
The Tennessee Titans qualify as the wild card in this division. If quarterback Jake Locker puts it all together, then this team has a power-rushing attack with speed on the outside and a quarterback that can orchestrate the entire offense with awesome athleticism. If not, then the Titans will be deficient at the most important position and miss the playoffs. The defense is solid either way.
A last place Jaguars squad will finish at the bottom of the standings yet again. That said, Jacksonville infused vast talent at cornerback and safety though the draft. It also nabbed a top offensive tackle in Luke Joeckel and offensive weapons Ace Sanders and Denard Robinson.
No. 4: NFC South
The NFC South is one of three divisions with four teams feasibly rocking winning records at the beginning of January.
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons are a given following a 13-3 season and draft class that satisfied most of its needs. Ryan’s pass-first attack is elite and the defense returns as a thoroughly bolstered group on the back end.
Each of the remaining clubs finished 7-9 least year, but could just as well complete a 9-7 campaign this time around.
Tampa Bay is the most improved of the bunch with free-agent defensive backs Darrelle Revis and Dashon Goldson. That also includes draft acquisitions Johnthan Banks and running back Mike James. The Buccaneers are a playoff team on the surface—if quarterback Josh Freeman capitalizes for a full season under Greg Schiano.
The Saints beloved head coach Sean Payton comes back to the sidelines after a season-long suspension. His return will surely revitalize a league-leading New Orleans offense under Drew Brees. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will rejuvenate a league-worst defense from 2012 as well. Like Tampa Bay, this is a club destined for a winning record at the very least.
Carolina and the Cam Newton-led Panthers are the final cog in this division. They could win 10 games or they could win six. Wide receiver and cornerback remain as legitimate needs following the draft. But if Newton fulfills his potential, he’ll make up for those deficiencies.
No. 3: NFC North
The NFC North featured three teams that secured double-digit victories last season. The only team that didn’t was one that was certainly projected to do so.
Green Bay and Minnesota achieved the most in the draft, but still have the most to lose. An Aaron Rodgers-less Packers or Vikings team missing Adrian Peterson for significant time would prove disastrous. At the same time, Rodgers finally has the luxury of play-action with newly added dynamic running backs. His offense will make even greater strides offensively this season into postseason play.
And the Vikings fulfilled major needs at cornerback, defensive tackle and offensive playmaker. They remain in playoff contention if second-year quarterback Christian Ponder makes the proper strides in his development.
That leaves the Bears and Lions. Chicago returns as a 10-win team and did some decent things in the draft. If the offensive line comes together and Brandon Marshall fulfills the receiving needs with some help from Alshon Jeffery, Jay Cutler and Co. will finish with a winning record.
Detroit won 10 games in 2011 and should have done so again in 2012. Strengthening an already stout defensive line and adding to the secondary and offensive front in the offseason should provide much-needed reinforcements. Former 5,000-yard passer Matthew Stafford will revert to form as well. However, the culture and cohesiveness of this team still cannot be trusted.
No. 2: AFC North
The Ravens will win, the Bengals will win and the Steelers will win. But can the Browns?
Baltimore and Cincinnati—for lack of a better word—absolutely killed it in this year’s draft. Pittsburgh wasn’t too far behind.
The Super Bowl-champion Ravens filled most of their needs in April’s selection process (safety, linebacker especially) following a brutal free-agency period. They’re division favorites yet again. The double-digit-win Bengals added dynamic playmakers on offense (Tyler Eifert, Giovani Bernard) and satisfied a need at safety. Check Cincinnati into the playoffs as well.
Offensive and defensive draft pickups for the Steelers also qualified as winning acquisitions. Running back Le’Veon Bell, wideout Markus Wheaton, linebacker Jarvis Jones and safety Shamarko Thomas fulfilled all glaring holes. Pittsburgh will be the third AFC North team competing for the playoffs in 2013.
Strength at the offensive line and running back are set for the Browns. The same goes for cornerback and linebacker. Wide receiver and tight end must comply. Most importantly, though, is quarterback Brandon Weeden’s development. His delayed progress will relegate Cleveland to another losing record.
No. 1: NFC West
Last, but not least—the NFC West and the NFL’s No. 1 division.
The San Francisco 49ers are the most complete team. They fulfilled their one starting need at free safety in Eric Reid and met depth requirements at defensive line and wide receiver through the draft and free agency. Super Bowl L’s host in 2016 remains the NFC’s favorite representative in 2013.
Close behind San Francisco are the Seattle Seahawks. They stand toe to toe with the 49ers at nearly all positions aside from offensive line and linebacker. This Russell Wilson-led team is a top-three NFC—if not NFL—squad in 2013.
One of the most improved teams this season will finish third in the NFC West. Yet, it will also battle front and center for a wild card spot. The St. Louis Rams orchestrated arguably the preeminent draft in April. They added tremendous pieces at wide receiver, linebacker, safety and running back.
This Jeff Fisher-coached Rams will operate as a tough, no-mercy club this season. Quarterback Sam Bradford will finally harness his fantastic skill set.
So, how can a team that finished 5-11 last year solidify the back end of the NFL’s purported top-ranked division? Because the Cardinals retain a thoroughly talented defense (and bolstered it through the draft), made necessary additions at running back, brought in a serviceable quarterback (Carson Palmer) and landed Bruce Arians as an inspirational and accomplished head coach.
Arizona will be the best last-place team in the NFL. And it should still win seven to eight games while doing so.
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