Dan Graziano ranks the NFL's divisions this season, using a method built around one question: which division has the best chance of sending all four of its teams to the playoffs? Since the playoff field expanded to seven teams per conference in 2020, no division has managed it, and the league is 0-for-6. Graziano says he is mildly obsessed with the idea and rates close divisions higher when one has a realistic shot at it.
He puts the NFC North at No. 1, ahead of the NFC West, which has the top-ranked team in ESPN's Football Power Index in the San Francisco 49ers and three teams in the FPI's top six. The NFC North combined FPI rating of 6.0 ranks second of eight divisions, and if the season ended after Week 6, all four of its teams would hold playoff spots. Detroit has a strong offense but a weak defense, Chicago and Green Bay face similar questions, and Minnesota has the league's best defense while its offense is still developing.
Graziano argues the Vikings' offensive issues are likely to improve, while the Packers' offensive line and run game problems look less fixable. Green Bay could get a boost from the eventual return of edge rusher Micah Parsons, and Chicago could regain quarterback Caleb Williams from injury in Week 6. He is most optimistic about Detroit, whose playoff hopes depend on outscoring opponents on a difficult schedule.
The NFC West ranking is more contested. Graziano questions FPI's confidence in the Los Angeles Rams, which many observers now view as unstoppable after the Myles Garrett trade, and he suggests waiting to see how that team performs before accepting the hype. Note that FPI rankings are through Week 5.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing