Prognosticating which division is going to be the best in the NFL heading into the season is a tough chore, yet it was clear the best division last season was the AFC North. The only division where every team finished over .500 since the 1935 NFL West, the AFC North lapped the field in 2023.
Will that be the case in 2024? The AFC North still has two of the league’s powerhouse teams in the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals (who actually finished last in the division last season). Other divisions are slowly catching the AFC North based on moves made in free agency and the draft, making the race for the NFL’s best division even more intriguing heading into 2024.
Who are a biggest challengers to the AFC North? What divisions aren’t expected to be good this season?
1. AFC North
2023 combined record: 43-25
This division is still the best in football, just based on three teams making the playoffs and the only division with three teams having 10+ wins. The Ravens lost a few key players on the defensive side of the ball (Geno Stone, Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Queen), but added Derrick Henry to a roster that won 13 games.
The Bengals got Joe Burrow back, the Browns have the majority of their roster intact, and the Steelers revamped their roster with Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Patrick Queen and Donte Jackson in free agency. Pittsburgh also had an impressive draft class, revamping the offensive line with Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier as the top two picks and adding linebacker Payton Wilson in the third round.
The AFC North will be a battle all season, as the division winner remains one of the biggest wild cards in the league.
2. NFC North
2023 combined record: 35-33
The rise of the Lions and Packers certainly boasted this division last season, with Detroit reaching the NFC Championship Game and Green Bay becoming the first No. 7 seed to beat a No. 2 seed in the postseason. Detroit…
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