NFL division power rankings ahead of 2025 season

USA Today

2 days ago

NFL division power rankings ahead of 2025 season
Teams have taken shape for the 2025 NFL season. Free agency moves have been made, draft picks have been chosen and some trades have occurred. The time is ripe to look at the eight divisions and see how they stack up. Only the strong survive in the National Football League. Don't expect some of the lesser lights to menace when it comes to regular-season play and the Super Bowl.
8. AFC South
The AFC South may have the first overall pick in the Tennessee Titans' Cam Ward but that's about all it has to offer when it comes to intriguing new players. The Houston Texans were 10-7 last year and failed to improve upon their previous season's surprising win total. The Jaguars have a new front office -- again -- and the Colts are still waiting for Anthony Richardson to prove he is a franchise QB.
7. NFC South
Will the South rise again in the NFL? It doesn't look like it will happen in 2025 as the AFC is the cellar dweller and the NFC isn't far behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the most ordinary division dynasty in league history. The Saints can't get anything right. They signed Derek Carr and he delivered nothing before retiring. The Falcons have redefined mediocrity and the Panthers fell so far that it is hard to recognize how much progress they are making, which they are.
6. AFC East
This is no knock on the Buffalo Bills. They are the dominant team in the division and a threat every year to make a deep playoff run. The other three teams are not exciting. The Patriots will rebuild under Mike Vrabrel. The Jets are continuing to spin and hope Aaron Glenn is the answer with Justin Fields at QB. The charm has worn off Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins, who win games against lesser teams and lose to better ones.
5. NFC West
The division offers thrilling finishes and a run for the playoff spot. However, none of the teams come in threatening to win a bunch of games and run away with the division. Expect the San Francisco 49ers to be much better since they can't have more injuries than last season. The Cardinals should take another step, moving them over .500. Will Sam Darnold make the Seahawks better than Geno Smith? Uncertain. And the Rams defend their title by adding Davante Adams, which should make Matthew Stafford a happy quarterback.
4. AFC North
The Ravens are the class of the division and should remain that barring injuries and an unexpected collapse. Look for the Bengals to improve in 2025 if they can figure out how to stay at .500 or above through the first four games. Don't be fooled by the fact that Aaron Rodgers would make the Steelers better. Ben Roethlisberger probably has more to offer, and the Cleveland Browns are, well, the Cleveland Browns.
3. NFC East
This division is split between teams that are threats to make playoff runs and those likely to be wondering about where there draft pick will land come November. Philadelphia will have a bunch of new players, especially on defense, as it looks to defend its Super Bowl title. Remember, NFC East teams tend not to repeat as division champions. The Washington Commanders are the "it" team in the league after Jayden Daniels' arrival in 2024. The Cowboys somehow have Brian Schottenheimer as coach. The Giants have a gaggle of quarterbacks and none of them are going to make defensive coordinators lose sleep.
2. AFC West
Four coaches with Super Bowl experience in one division is quite the resume. Pete Carroll has his work cut out trying to turn the Raiders into a decent football team, let alone a playoff threat. The other three teams each have to be considered possibilities to make the postseason. When will Andy Reid and the Chiefs take a step back and not win the AFC West? Is Jim Harbaugh going to have the Chargers ready to try and capture the division? And no one should be surprised if Sean Payton has the Broncos ready to rock a bid for the AFC West crown.
1. NFC North
The NFC North had three teams win 40 games last season. That equaled the most won by four teams in any other division. And that's with the Chicago Bears going 4-13. This division may not see the three teams reach those heights again but it is definitely tops.