Ranking all 8 NFL divisions worst to first heading into the 2022 season
Ahead of the 2022 NFL season getting underway, every team across the league will be vying to make the playoffs this year. This is easier said than done, of course. It can be made even more difficult depending on which division your team finds itself in.
The NFL division structure hasn’t changed since the Houston Texans became the league’s 32nd franchise in 2002. While some have remained competitive since then, others have become dumpster fires.
Here are the eight NFL divisions ranked from worst to first for the 2022 season.
#8 – AFC South
Despite the Tennessee Titans becoming the number one seed during the 2021 season, the AFC South division they’re in is one of the worst divisions in the NFL.
The division contains the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have been the worst team in the NFL for two seasons running. It also includes the Houston Texans, who have fallen off the proverbial cliff in recent years.
The Titans and Indianapolis Colts will battle for supremacy in 2022. While they’re solid franchises, the bottom-feeder Texans and Jaguars drag this group down.
#7 – NFC East
Despite the Dallas Cowboys having some success in recent times and the Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl in 2018, this division still ranks among the worst in the NFL.
The New York Giants have been terrible for a number of years now. Some argue that won’t change until they move away from quarterback Daniel Jones.
The Washington Commanders could be a threat, but will new QB Carson Wentz be the answer? He’s not lit the league up since the season the Eagles won that Super Bowl. His regression since has been dramatic.
Dallas and Philly will challenge at the top, but the Cowboys have lost plenty of key starters over the offseason, including Amari Cooper and La’El Collins.
#6 – NFC North
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are the cream of the crop in the NFC North, despite losing Davante Adams this offseason. They still have a top rushing duo in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, as well. They will likely face the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins for supremacy in the division. The Vikings can rely on stud offensive talents Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson.
What places this division so low are the two other contestants, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. The Lions have failed to win a playoff game since 1991 which is, by far, the longest playoff drought in the NFL.
While the Chicago Bears and their excellent defense romped to the NFC North crown back in 2018, they have regressed massively since, finishing 6-11 last year. That bettered Detroit, however, who could only muster 3-13-1, and even the Vikings ended 2021 with a losing record.