The NFL has lastly reached the ultimate week of the common season, which brings us to the conclusion of the divisional energy rankings for the 12 months. Interdivisional video games have come to an finish because the league schedules all divisional matchups for Week 18.
The NFC West was challenged all year long, but the preseason No. 1 ended the 12 months on high. A dominant Week 17 sealed the highest spot for the NFC West, which has a possibility to get three groups from its division into the postseason (the AFC West is the one different division that may accomplish this). The AFC South staked its declare because the worst division in soccer, despite the fact that it might get two groups within the postseason. The NFC East wasn’t as unhealthy as we predicted and the AFC East ended up being significantly better than the preseason rankings indicated.
The ultimate version of the divisional energy rankings is right here. Soccer out west ended up ruling the league in 2021.
8. AFC South
- Last interdivisional report: 16-28 (.364)
- Final week’s rating: 8
The AFC South is harm by the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars having two of the worst data within the AFC, but the division is a win away from having the No. 1 seed within the convention (Tennessee Titans). The Indianapolis Colts are additionally a win away from a playoff spot, however may have locked up that spot in the event that they beat the Las Vegas Raiders at residence.
The Titans have been the one workforce within the division to win final week, because the AFC South is 26-38 (.406 win share) with one week to play. The AFC South wasn’t the worst division in NFL historical past, but it surely was poor all through 2021.
7. NFC North
- Last interdivisional report: 18-25-1 (.420)
- Final week’s rating: 7
The NFC North wasn’t a very good division all 12 months both, however the Inexperienced Bay Packers having the most effective report in soccer hid that from the remainder of the league. Three groups are going to complete with a dropping report, considered one of which (Detroit Lions) has the worst report within the convention. The NFC North must be a greater division than it demonstrated this season, a 12 months after producing two playoff groups.
There shall be adjustments within the NFC North after the season, because the division is 28-35-1 (.445) with one week to play.
6. NFC East
- Last interdivisional report: 20-24 (.455)
- Final week’s rating: 6
The NFC East was the worst division in soccer final 12 months, but managed to enhance in 2021 and get two playoff groups within the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. The division had one of many worst groups in soccer within the New York Giants, however improved as an entire because of the emergence of Philadelphia. If the Eagles beat the Cowboys on Saturday, the NFC East may have two 10-win groups in 2021.
The NFC East is 30-34 this season, because the .469 win share is an enormous enchancment over final 12 months.
5. NFC South
- Last interdivisional report: 22-22 (.500)
- Final week’s rating: 5
The NFC South had top-of-the-line groups within the league within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but all of the accidents to the New Orleans Saints hampered their playoff probabilities, however the Saints can nonetheless sneak in with a win and a 49ers loss. The Carolina Panthers had one other poor end to the 12 months, however the Atlanta Falcons improved of their first season beneath Arthur Smith.
This division flirted with .500 all 12 months, and can find yourself on the .500 mark. The NFC South is 32-32 headed into the ultimate week of the 12 months.
4. AFC East
- Last interdivisional report: 22-22 (.500)
- Final week’s rating: 4
The AFC East additionally will find yourself on the .500 mark, however this division may have two 10-win groups within the New England Patriots and Buffalo Payments — each headed to the playoffs. The Miami Dolphins had a seven-game win streak, but it wasn’t sufficient to beat a 1-7 begin ultimately.
This division can nonetheless get three groups over .500 if the Dolphins win this week, which solely the NFC West and AFC West can declare. The AFC East is 32-32 headed into Week 18.
3. AFC North
- Last interdivisional report: 23-20-1 (.534)
- Final week’s rating: 3
The AFC North held the title as the most effective division in soccer for a bit this 12 months, however the Baltimore Ravens occurring a five-game dropping streak and the Cleveland Browns having a disappointing end took them out of the highest spot for good. This division could solely get one workforce within the playoffs (Cincinnati Bengals), because the depth of the AFC North confirmed all year long. There was no straightforward out within the AFC North.
The AFC North is 33-30-1 heading into the ultimate week, ending with the third-best win share of the divisions (.523). All 4 groups within the division may have not less than seven wins.
2. AFC West
- Last interdivisional report: 26-18 (.591)
- Final week’s rating: 2
The AFC West was good all year long, because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs had their six-year stranglehold on the division examined earlier than they gained seven video games in a row to seal it. The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers each have a shot on the playoffs, setting themselves up for what may very well be a winner-take-all finale.
Three groups within the AFC West have 9 or extra wins, considered one of solely two divisions that may stake that declare. The AFC West may get three groups within the playoffs, too, (in a wild method) if the Colts discover a method to lose Sunday.
An entertaining division all 12 months, the AFC West is 36-28 heading into the ultimate week. That .563 win share is second-best within the NFL.
1. NFC West
- Last interdivisional report: 28-16 (.636)
- Final week’s rating: 1
The NFC West was the most effective division in soccer all year long, and its interdivisional report proved that — successful over 63% of their video games towards nondivisional foes! An ideal 4-0 week in Week 17 cemented the NFC West’s standing as the most effective division in soccer, the one division that has two 11-win groups (and will have two 12-win groups after Week 18).
Two groups within the NFC West are going to the playoffs, and a 3rd is on the best way if the San Francisco 49ers win Sunday. No division within the NFL will be capable to stake that declare if the Colts and 49ers win (Colts win eliminates three AFC West groups getting within the AFC playoffs), showcasing the energy of the division.
The NFC West may get three groups with 10 wins if San Francisco wins this week. The division is 38-26, because the .594 win share is the most effective in soccer.
