Grid Iron Audible—Best in Division
Do you think your team plays in a tough division? Let’s put that thought to the test and compare each of the eight divisions. I’ll list the divisions according to my rankings, beginning with the worst, and progressing to the best.
8. AFC West
With the worst record (14-22) and a minus 103 point differential, the division that is home to four AFL charter franchises has lost some of its former glory. There is not a single top flight defense to be found here, and the wide receiver play, throughout the group (though Peyton is in the process of changing that), is as poor as I can recall. At least two, but likely three, of these teams will make coaching changes in the off-season. The Broncos are the class of the division, while the Chiefs are contending for the 2012 TP Award, given for wiping up the rear.
7. AFC South
The 19-18 record through ten weeks may be deceiving due to Houston’s 8-1 mark; the rest of the division is 11-17. Houston is a very good team, but their +107 PD can’t keep the South from posting a league worst -119 points. A couple of more losses, and this group would be challenging the AFC West for the doormat division crown. The Texans own this division, and Jacksonville is the worst team in football.
6. AFC East
Due to the 6-3 record of the Patriots, the AFC East is the very picture of average in the NFL. A 16-20 won/lost record and -42 points outs this group as decidedly un-elite, and as underachieving. It was a tossup here with the NFC East. I let playmakers break the tie, and there just aren’t many to find here. New England is in charge in this neighborhood, with Buffalo and the Jets fighting for the cellar door.
5. NFC East
Only more playmakers elevated this perennial powerhouse over their AFC counterparts. A 16-21 record and -52 points puts these guys in the bottom half of the league. The division that has long been known for dominant defenses has drastically slipped on that side of the ball. There is still plenty of firepower on offense however, and I expect some of these teams to get hot in the home stretch. The Giants are the best in the division, and the Eagles have hit rock bottom.
4. NFC West
With one and a half elite teams (the Hawks are elite at home), this pick will get some people mad. 19-16-2 is a good record, just as +45 net points rates well. The reason I’ve slotted this group here is because I only see one contender here. The Seahawks will play with anyone at home, but they are less than pedestrian on the road (no pun intended). They may make the PS, but they’ll be on the road if they do. The Niners still command this division, and I think the Cards are worse than the Rams, though both are better than last year.
3. NFC South
The Saints should move into positive points this weekend, giving 3 teams here that distinction. A 19-17 record and +64 points are more than respectable, and those numbers are likely to get better. By season’s end, this group could move up to number two, but lack of good defense will keep them from the top slot this year. The Falcons are the most complete team, but the Saints and Bucs are both red hot, while the Panthers are on the canvas.
2. AFC North
19-17 and + 35 points are a bit disappointing for this division. The Bengals, while talented, have taken a step backward from last season, especially on defense. Injury concerns have Pittsburgh slipping of late, and Cleveland…well Cleveland is Cleveland, and still in the midst of a thirty year rebuilding project. I picked the Steelers to win this division, but so far the Ravens have outplayed everyone here, and have to be considered the head of the class.
1. NFC North
The best division in football and it’s not even close. The Black & Blue is back in a big way! With a 23-14 mark, they have 4 more wins than any other division in the league, and their +172 points are +108 points more than the nearest competitor. It’s possible that the playoffs find three of these teams still around. Though anything can happen here, the Bears are in the top spot for now, with the enigmatic Lions holding to the bottom rung.
That’s a wrap on my divisional breakdown. If you don’t agree with my assessment of the Black & Blue Division as number one, there is only one thing I can say. You are wrong. However, I’m always open to dialogue, even from the haters. Please feel free to comment, rant, ramble or donate.
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Written by Steve Massey
Steve Massey is the author of Grid Iron Audible, a column covering all things NFL, at Pro Sports Blogging. Like a great QB led team, he is sometimes down, but never out of the game. He is always networking, and would consider any and all efforts to procure his talents. Just ask him.
He was educated at Fort Scott Community College (Kansas), and now lives in Northern Arkansas with his beautiful wife, Debbie.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMassey9
Steven Keys Nov 15 20123:20 pm
Great topic, Steve. As the Govern-ator would say, “I’ll be back.”
Steve Massey Nov 15 20123:59 pm
Asta la vista.
Steven Keys Nov 16 20122:52 pm
Hey, where’s my “baby.” as in “Hasta la vista, baby?” Maybe the dingo ate it, huh? Was that wrong? Nah.
NFC dominance is clear. NFCN #1 works, but I’d go with NFCW & NFCS as co-#1s. When Kolb comes back (Wk12?), AZ’s competitive again, and Bucs & Saints are rising. Bears depend on Cutler and he just gets beat-up, Vikes a year away and Lions talented but un-damn-predictable. I still like GB, NYG and SF in NFC.
AFCN: W/out Big Ben, Pitt’s pedestrian, and still not sure how Lewis’ absence will effect Ravens, though Cincy is not a bad team. Next few games will tell.
Good breakdown, good topic Steve. Spread this post around like a Peyton Manning pass-attack.
Steve Massey Nov 16 20125:22 pm
I knew I would spell one of those Spanish words wrong…doh! I guess I’ll have to turn in my ACLU card now.;-)
Green Bay is an almost irresistable pick in the North, but I look for Detroit to play at least a role of spoiler for someone here. Maybe the Vikes waltz in on the back of A.D. and steal it in the end, but that’s another article.
I will say that Minnesota is every bit as good as Arizona if for different reasons. The Vikes have A.D., and I think he may be up to something historic right now, and a better QB, no matter who the Cards have under center.
The Giants and Niners are probably the safest bets, and I’ll give you odds the Hawks fold down the stretch.
Great comment. Thanks for the advice. Too late to say baby.
Steve Massey Nov 18 201210:18 am
I cannot fathom why I failed to jump on the Sienfeld references. What’s the deal with that? That’s a pretty big matzah ball I left hanging there. I’ve gotta run, my wife made me a big salad. Hey, that’s pretty good…well, not risotto good. I’m out.
Steven Keys Nov 18 201212:23 pm
Those are good ones, Steve. And that “dingo” episode was an early one, when Elaine was still ‘developing’ as a character, from serious to sassy.