What’s the best division in football?

[Box_O_Rocks]

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What’s the best division in football?

Posted: July 7th, 2009 | Jason La Canfora
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If I had to pick my Beast of the East, preseason version, I’m going to take the AFC East.

 

[jmt57]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

The NFC East has been the best division the last couple of years, but over the course of the decade the NFC South has been overlooked. For example last year the NFC East got lots of publicity for being so good and no teams with a losing record, yet the same was true othe the NFC South - who also actually had two more wins than the NFCE.

This year I expect the NFC South to take a step back; Tampa Bay appears to be in rebuilding mode and preparing for 2010, while Carolina will be hard pressed to duplicate a 12-4 record. I'm still not convinced that New Orleans is more than an eight or maybe nine win team with their defense.

If there is one division that seems to get a free pass it is the NFC North. People talk about the AFC West and NFC West as being weak, but the NFC North is just as bad. Last year their collective record outside the division was 13-27. And you can't blame that all on the Lions; the other three teams were a combined 13-17.

It's interesting to note that for those that claim the Pats have an easy schedule because they play in the AFC East, the division had the same number of wins as the NFC East last year. I would expect these two divisions to be the best in the NFL in 2009. If I had to predict who will be the best division I'd go with the NFC East only because I have a few more questions about the AFC East teams (e.g., the Jets offense, the Bills offensive line.)

 

[mgcolby]

I think our division is somewhat overrated based on a weak schedule from last year. I think this happens every year, a division with 1 great team and then 1 decent team and 1 or 2 ok teams plays a division or two made up of terrible teams and then everyone thinks that the entire division is tough. When in fact they just beat up on terrible or mediocre teams.

The AFC South did this in 2007 when they played the AFC West and the NFC South. At first glance a person would think that the NFC South was decent that year with all but one team finishing with at least 7 wins, but the NFC South played the NFC West which was terrible and most of the South team's victories were within the division.

With that said I think the rest of our division will struggle a bit this season. Look at Miami's schedule they play ATL, Ind and SD in the first 3 weeks of the season. I will be shocked if they win 9 games this year.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

The NFC East has been the best division the last couple of years, but over the course of the decade the NFC South has been overlooked. For example last year the NFC East got lots of publicity for being so good and no teams with a losing record, yet the same was true othe the NFC South - who also actually had two more wins than the NFCE.

This year I expect the NFC South to take a step back; Tampa Bay appears to be in rebuilding mode and preparing for 2010, while Carolina will be hard pressed to duplicate a 12-4 record. I'm still not convinced that New Orleans is more than an eight or maybe nine win team with their defense.

If there is one division that seems to get a free pass it is the NFC North. People talk about the AFC West and NFC West as being weak, but the NFC North is just as bad. Last year their collective record outside the division was 13-27. And you can't blame that all on the Lions; the other three teams were a combined 13-17.

It's interesting to note that for those that claim the Pats have an easy schedule because they play in the AFC East, the division had the same number of wins as the NFC East last year. I would expect these two divisions to be the best in the NFL in 2009. If I had to predict who will be the best division I'd go with the NFC East only because I have a few more questions about the AFC East teams (e.g., the Jets offense, the Bills offensive line.)

There is no way you can make that statement (in bold) with a straight face!

The Pats did have an easy division schedule in 2007 and we had an easy schedule last year. No way we win 11 games last year without playing the two west divisions.

 

[farn]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I do not think the AFCE is the best. I believe that the NFCE is better.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I do not think the AFCE is the best. I believe that the NFCE is better.

I think the NFC East is the most talented division. But the Skins and Boys seem to find ways to not utilize their talent.

I like the NFC South.

Atlanta will be very good adding Gonzo should help tremendously, I think Roddy White will have a great year and I think Turner will start where he left off last year.

The Panthers despite Delhomme's terrible playoff game are still a very good team. The interesting thing for me is that they hired Ron Meeks to run the Defense. I am dumb founded by this hire. But no team in football has a better 1-2 punch at RB than Carolina.

New Orleans is the most interesting, they without a doubt have one of the best offenses in the NFL but the D has been terrible. They hired Greg Williams to come in and correct that. They also signed Paul Spicer to help sure up the DL. They signed Darren Sharper and drafted Malcom Jenkins to help a desperate secondary.

Tampa seems to be in total overhaul mode.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

NFC East by far. In fact, Giants, Eagles and Cowboys can contend for a super bowl birth.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

The AFCE has 2 good teams tops (New England, Miami). Other divisions may have more top-to-bottom talent, but I'd take AFCN. Ravens and Steelers. NFCE is probably second in my book, since while they may only have 2 consistently good teams (Giants, Eagles), the other two are hardly slouches. Then AFCS. They don't have anyone that's consistently good after the Colts, but all 3 other teams have a lot of talent, so that's something.

 

[jmt57]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

The NFC East has been the best division the last couple of years

There is no way you can make that statement (in bold) with a straight face!

I'll agree there's room for debate, but yes, I will say that the NFC East has been the been the best division the last couple of years - with a straight face.

2008
NFC East: 38-25-1; +226 point differential; playoffs: 2-2 & 1 bye
AFC East: 38-26-0; +172 point differential; playoffs: 0-1
NFC South: 40-24; +259 point differential; playoffs: 0-2 & 1 bye
AFC South: 38-26; +127 point differential; playoffs: 0-2 & 1 bye

2007
NFC East: 40-24-0; +212 point differential; playoffs: 4-2 & 1 bye
AFC East: 28-36-0; -44 point differential; playoffs: 2-1 & 1 bye
NFC South: 27-37; -180 point differential; playoffs: 0-1
AFC South: 42-22; +194 point differential; playoffs: 1-3 & 1 bye

2006
NFC East: 32-32-0; +69 point differential; playoffs: 1-3
AFC East: 35-29-0; +135 point differential; playoffs: 2-2
NFC South: 29-35; -122 point differential; playoffs: 1-1 & 1 bye
AFC South: 34-30; -11 point differential; playoffs: 4-0

I'd say in recent history it's the NFC East first, followed by the AFC South and then the AFC East. Of course, past results do not gurantee future performance so we may well find somebody outperform the NFC East this year.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

AFC South is going to be a great one this year and the best division in terms of competition for the division title with the Titans falling back to reality and Indy continuing to falter more and with the expected rise of Houston and Jax,Its going to be fun to watch who comes out of this division alive.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I'd either go with the NFC East or the AFC North.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

NFC East by far. In fact, Giants, Eagles and Cowboys can contend for a super bowl birth.

Cowboys? How are the Cowboys super bowl contenders?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Tampa seems to be in total overhaul mode.

True enough, but they also hired a DC who can get the job done.

 

[Jackson 2]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Cowboys? How are the Cowboys super bowl contenders?

A team which hasn't won a play-off game since the mid-90s isn't a contender yet, in my opinion.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I'll agree there's room for debate, but yes, I will say that the NFC East has been the been the best division the last couple of years - with a straight face.

2008
NFC East: 38-25-1; +226 point differential; playoffs: 2-2 & 1 bye
AFC East: 38-26-0; +172 point differential; playoffs: 0-1
NFC South: 40-24; +259 point differential; playoffs: 0-2 & 1 bye
AFC South: 38-26; +127 point differential; playoffs: 0-2 & 1 bye

2007
NFC East: 40-24-0; +212 point differential; playoffs: 4-2 & 1 bye
AFC East: 28-36-0; -44 point differential; playoffs: 2-1 & 1 bye
NFC South: 27-37; -180 point differential; playoffs: 0-1
AFC South: 42-22; +194 point differential; playoffs: 1-3 & 1 bye

2006
NFC East: 32-32-0; +69 point differential; playoffs: 1-3
AFC East: 35-29-0; +135 point differential; playoffs: 2-2
NFC South: 29-35; -122 point differential; playoffs: 1-1 & 1 bye
AFC South: 34-30; -11 point differential; playoffs: 4-0

I'd say in recent history it's the NFC East first, followed by the AFC South and then the AFC East. Of course, past results do not gurantee future performance so we may well find somebody outperform the NFC East this year.

Disregard and sorry for making you look all those numbers up. I clearly have a reading comprehension problem. I read it as the AFC East.

I'm a dumbass! :violent:

 

[jmt57]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Disregard and sorry for making you look all those numbers up. I clearly have a reading comprehension problem. I read it as the AFC East.

I'm a dumbass! :violent:

Well, I'm just as much of a dumbass. If I hadn't glossed over the next line you wrote, that would have been very obvious to me . . .

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

True enough, but they also hired a DC who can get the job done.

Yeah, but I'm looking more on the offensive side of the ball. QB is a big question mark, although they do have like six of them. Who starts Mcknown, Leftwich, the rookie Freeman?

They didn't do anything to really help themselves on that side of the ball except acquire a mental midget at the TE spot and resign another. They were a pedestrian offense ranked 19th in the league.

Defensively they were pretty good in every area but the run. They dumped Brooks and picked up Crowell but didn't do much to address the DL. Although they did attempt to sign Haynesworth and actually offered him the most money, but he wanted to play in a bigger market.

Only time will tell but as of right now I think the other 3 teams are well ahead of them.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Well, I'm just as much of a dumbass. If I hadn't glossed over the next line you wrote, that would have been very obvious to me . . .

Maybe we can start a club...

 

[TriplecHamp]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

Cowboys? How are the Cowboys super bowl contenders?

Most people would have said that about the Cardinals last year. Cowboys have all the talent in the world and now that T.O. is gone most people expect the overall team chemistry to improve. BTW, The NFC East is the Toughtest and Best division in Football. I would go NFC East, AFC North, AFC East, NFC South, AFC South, AFC West, NFC North, NFC West.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: What’s the best division in football?

I wonder how anyone can consider the AFC North to be anything but the WORST division in football.

Its been the Steelers by themselves and also-rans for most of this decade with the Ravens being the only real test for the Steelers and even then it hasn't been often - That division has 1/2 of the teams all but out of the playoff picture by week 10 just about every year.