With the offseason in full swing and the majority of big-name free agents signed, it is more than safe to start projecting next season’s teams, which means it is the start of rankings season. Today, we are going to rank from 1 to 8 (best to worst) based on how tough each division is. This will be based on last year's success combined with projected success for the 2022 season. Let us dive into each division and why they are placed where they are.

1. AFC West (Chargers, Chiefs, Broncos, Raiders)

For the last few seasons, the NFC West has been known as the clear-cut best division in football. One massive trade changed that with QB Russell Wilson going from Seattle to Denver. With the Broncos being the worst team in the division last season, they are now clear postseason contenders, as well as the rest of the teams in this division. What made me put them first is that I believe this division has the highest floor, meaning the worst team may still win 10 games. You cannot say that about any other division in football. It also comes down to the quarterback play, in which there is not a quarterback outside the top 12 in this division. This is going to be a dogfight all season long, with predictions nearly impossible for who wins it.

2. AFC North (Browns, Ravens, Bengals, Steelers)

By the closest of seconds, the AFC North is next on the rankings. The Deshaun Watson trade to the Browns gave this division a massive boost, even though you can argue the division was loaded regardless. The worst team (on paper) is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they made the playoffs last year with an aging QB Ben Roethlisberger. The Ravens will be getting QB Lamar Jackson back healthy, while the Bengals just made the Super Bowl. If it was not for the Wilson trade, the AFC North would be the best division by a landslide.

3. NFC West (Seahawks, Cardinals, 49ers, Rams)

With the Wilson trade, the NFC West loses a contending team in Seattle, bumping them to number three. This division features the reigning Super Bowl champion Rams, as well as two other playoff teams who look ready to make another push to the postseason. While there are massive question marks for both Arizona and San Francisco, specifically around their QB situations, both teams are playoff-ready, as well as the Rams, obviously.

4. NFC East (Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Giants)

While it was known as the NFC “Least” just two years ago, the NFC East is far from the worst division in football. Last season, they sent two teams to the playoffs (Cowboys, Eagles) and with the addition of QB Carson Wentz to the Commanders, they can be in the hunt too. I have them middle of the pack though because I do believe there is a ceiling for each of these teams come playoff time, but all three of these teams have a real chance to take the division. As for the Giants, they are in limbo with QB Daniel Jones and need to figure out how to rebuild their roster around him or someone else in the future.

5. AFC East (Jets, Bills, Dolphins, Patriots)

While much improved, there is still a ton of unknown with the AFC East. The Bills are the clear best team and should win the division by a landslide, but after that, it gets a little dicey. The Dolphins added Tyreek Hill and are coming off a 9-8 season, but can QB Tua Tagovailoa get them over the top to possibly 10, 11, or 12 wins? The Jets, on paper, had an incredible draft, but even if their draft picks hit, the fate of the team’s success is mostly based on QB Zach Wilson. As for the Patriots, for the first time in a long time, it seems like a massive question mark on what they are going to look like in 2022. With that being said, Bill Belichick is still the head coach and will find numerous ways to scratch out wins. This division may have three teams with a winning record, or it might have one team with over 7 wins, and that is the Bills who will probably win at least 11.

6. AFC South (Texans, Titans, Colts, Jaguars)

What pushed me to place the AFC South at sixth in the division rankings below the AFC East is that the East does not have a clear-cut bottom feeder. The AFC South has two in the Jaguars and Texans. While Houston is improved, they have massive question marks on both sides of the ball and are still in the air with their quarterback situation. As for Jacksonville, it is the reset again, something that has gone on for far too long in Duval. The two top teams are the Titans and Colts, who should both be fighting until the end for that division title. While both are good, they are similar to the NFC East in the fact that there is a ceiling on the playoff teams compared to the top divisions.

7. NFC North (Packers, Bears, Vikings, Lions)

The second to last division in the NFL is the NFC North. It is basically Green Bay and others at this point, with Minnesota being the second-best as of now. Detroit made some moves so they should progress in theory while the Bears are starting to jumpstart their process. Regardless, the Packers will be there in the end, and the Vikings are so Jekyll and Hyde that you never know what team you are getting. That risk gives them an extremely low floor, compared to teams like the Steelers, Patriots, etc. If Detroit does improve though and Minnesota finally plays to expectation, they can easily move up this list

8. NFC South (Buccaneers, Saints, Falcons, Panthers)

By far the worst division in football is the NFC South, which ironically carries the “G.O.A.T.” QB, Tom Brady. Even though the Buccaneers will most likely make the playoffs, the other three teams have a very slim chance. All three teams outside of Tampa Bay do not have their QB situation fully resolved, making those teams that much easier to pick against.

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-By: RIchie Dordas

New England Patriots: Mac or Cam?

After a year with Cam Newton in New England, he is not alone in the QB room, as Mac Jones was drafted with the Patriots first-round pick. The Alabama product went 15th overall and was the fifth quarterback taken in the draft. For head coach Bill Belichick, this decision is going to be a big one. Not only is it the most important position on the field, but both players play differently. The scheme will likely depend on who is under center. New England expects to compete in 2021 and either of these guys has a real chance of getting the job. It is going to be interesting to see how it plays out.

New York Jets: Can Saleh Build a Winning Culture?

For years upon years, the New York Jets have been one of the laughingstocks of football, playing non-competitive games early and often. This offseason, the Jets traded QB Sam Darnold and fired head coach Adam Gase. They then hired Robert Saleh and drafted QB Zach Wilson second overall. The Jets addressed both the offensive and defensive lines as well, building their team from inside to out. Saleh checks all the boxes with maturity, charisma, etc. That alone though, will not win football games. Despite this, Saleh developing a culture is going to be extremely important in year one, regardless of what the record says.

Miami Dolphins: Can the Offense Become More Explosive?

The Miami Dolphins took a major step forward in 2020, going 10-6 and barely missing the playoffs. Miami is built on defense, which is one of the best in football, but lacked explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball. QB Tua Tagovailoa is entering his second season and it will be important for him to take care of the ball, but just as important to open up the offense for big plays. Experience will bring that, along with the addition of two deep threat receivers in Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller V. Miami is a team hoping to make the playoffs in 2021, and the offense will need to provide a spark to ensure that happens.

Buffalo Bills: Can Buffalo Develop a Run Game?

Last season for Buffalo was special. Buffalo won the AFC East in convincing fashion, along with making it to the AFC championship game. They also just signed QB Josh Allen to a mega extension. All signs are pointing up for Buffalo, but if there is one issue it is their rushing attack. You can argue that Allen was their best runner last year. The duo of Zack Moss and Devin Singletary did not provide consistent production but have the potential to do so. The run game is so important in the playoffs when every yard means that much more, and their inability to do that hamstrung them last year. It will be interesting to see how head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll implement a more efficient rushing attack into their system.

Info from profootballreference.com

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-By: Richie Dordas

Denver Broncos: Is Drew Lock the Guy?

It seemed like QB Drew Lock was going to emerge as the franchise quarterback for the Denver Broncos, but after a subpar 2020 season, many have put that into question. Guys like Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson via trade, or even the draft were options for Denver, but they did not go after those options but instead traded for Teddy Bridgewater to create a QB competition. Lock’s big issue is taking care of the ball, while Bridgewater is safer with less of an upside. Denver is going to have to choose who their guy is for this year, with the hopes that Lock takes a big step forward.

Kansas City Chiefs: Will the O-Line Reinforcements Work?

Since QB Patrick Mahomes became the starter, the Kansas City Chiefs became the class of the AFC, and it did not change last year. Unfortunately, they lost the Super Bowl, which showed a glaring hole for the Chiefs: the offensive line. Mahomes was running for his life as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their way in the trenches. This offseason alone, the Chiefs added LG Joe Thuney and LT Orlando Brown, bolstering that side of the line. They also get RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif back, who opted out for COVID-19 in 2020. The Super Bowl is the bar for the Chiefs, as they will look to get back there for the third straight year in 2021.

Los Angeles Chargers: Can the Chargers Finally Take the Next Step?

The time is now for the Los Angeles Chargers. After another disappointing season in 2020, the Chargers hired Brandon Staley to be their coach and revamped their offensive line with C Corey Linsley and with the draft pick of Rashawn Slater to help protect prized young QB, Justin Herbert. The Chargers have a loaded roster and they are ready to make serious noise in the AFC and give the Chiefs a run for their money in the AFC West.

Las Vegas Raiders: What is the Identity of the Offense?

After another disappointing season for the Raiders, they will face even more challenges in 2021, as their division keeps getting better. The Raiders have a suspect defense, a questionable offensive line, but most importantly, they do not have an identity as an offense. Vegas has two running backs in Kenyan Drake and Josh Jacobs while having speed on the outside with WR Henry Ruggs and TE Darren Waller. If the Raiders want to be successful, they should play their offense through their running game, but this is a useless point if they do not have good blocking. It is up to the coaching staff to figure out what the identity of their offense is going to be, which is so important when creating chemistry for your team.

Info from profootballreference.com and espn.com

Writer

-By: Richie Dordas