Predicting NFL Division Final Standings and Playoff Teams

The NFL season typically feels long for everybody.  Whether your team is straggling near the back of the pack, vying for a playoff spot, or sitting comfortably atop their division, there is always a reason to pay close attention to the division standings.  For those who want to find out how the season will play out and where your team will finish after it is all said and done, keep reading below.

 **Spoiler alert**

x - clinch division
y - clinch wildcard

AFC East
1.  Buffalo Bills - x
2.  New England Patriots
3.  Miami Dolphins
4.  New York Jets

The 1 and 4 spots were easy for me here, as I think the Bills only improve from last year behind a more experienced Josh Allen, and the Jets should struggle per usual.  I have entertained the possibility that the Dolphins can beat out the Patriots in the final standings, but I won't fully believe it until I see it.  While I think the Patriots might get out to a slow start, I'll side with Belichick and Cam in the long run and assume they'll make a late-season playoff push, but fall just short.

AFC West
1.  Kansas City Chiefs - x
2.  Los Angeles Chargers - y
3.  Denver Broncos
4.  Las Vegas Raiders

The 1 spot is obvious for the AFC West, as the Chiefs will have an excellent chance to repeat as Super Bowl champions.  I think the other 3 teams are pretty evenly matched.  However, I like the Chargers to take a step forward under their new quarterback, whether that ends up being Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert by the end of the season.  Their offensive weapons combined with some additions to the defense, particularly with cornerback Chris Harris, Jr., could definitely propel Los Angeles into the playoffs.  For Denver and Las Vegas, I think both teams are a couple years or missing pieces away from being able to compete with the Chiefs and Chargers.

AFC North
1.  Baltimore Ravens - x
2.  Pittsburgh Steelers - y
3.  Cleveland Browns
4.  Cincinnati Bengals

Despite the loss of Marshall Yanda and Earl Thomas, Lamar Jackson will sidestep the Madden curse (probably literally) and lead the Ravens back to the AFC North division title.  The return of Ben Roethlisberger to the Steelers will allow them to push into the playoffs as well, after nearly making it last season behind Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges.  The Browns and Bengals may improve from last season as well, but it won't be enough to top either Baltimore or Pittsburgh.  I'm sure Bengals fans would be happy if they just got to 4 wins on the year, which would be a 100 percent improvement from 2019.

AFC South
1.  Indianapolis Colts - x
2.  Tennessee Titans - y
3.  Houston Texans
4.  Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts and Titans seem pretty evenly matched this year after both teams bolstered their roster in the offseason.  With both teams having strong offensive lines and run games, I'll bet on the team with the more proven quarterback to win the division, and that's Philip Rivers.  I think both find a way into the playoffs, and both have a play style that translates well in cold weather and big games, setting either team up for potential success in the postseason.  Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt will basically be trying to win games by themselves down in Houston, and the Jaguars might not win a single game all year.

NFC East
1.  Dallas Cowboys - x
2.  Philadelphia Eagles - y
3.  New York Giants
4.  Washington Football Team

The NFC East always seems like the most hectic division, and this year has already been no different.  From Dak Prescott's empty salary negotiations in Dallas to the scandal within the Washington Football Team's organization, there has certainly been a fair share of drama already.  Still, I think the Cowboys and Eagles are both able to find a way into the playoffs.  Dallas seems like the best team in the division on paper by a pretty good margin, but the Eagles should have a pretty high-powered offense that could win them a few more games this year.  The Giants should be mediocre again, and although Washington brought in veteran head coach Ron Rivera, I don't think he'll make much of an impact in his first season.

NFC West
1.  San Francisco 49ers - x
2.  Seattle Seahawks - y
3.  Arizona Cardinals
4.  Los Angeles Rams

The NFC West is the best division top-to-bottom in the NFL in my opinion.  Really, any of these teams could theoretically make the playoffs if things go their way.  The 49ers are still strong and should be a lock to return to the playoffs, and the Seahawks will have only improved from last year when Russell Wilson had to carry them to victory week after week.  If Kyler Murray can have a breakout second year à la Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, that Cardinals offense could be scary good.  And don't count out Sean McVay and the Rams, who still have loads of talent on both sides of the ball and made it to the Super Bowl only two years ago.  Unfortunately for these teams, only two of them are likely going to make it into the playoffs this time around.

NFC North
1.  Minnesota Vikings - x
2.  Green Bay Packers
3.  Chicago Bears
4.  Detroit Lions

I went back and forth on who I think will win the NFC North.  The Vikings lost Stefon Diggs, but drafted Justin Jefferson out of LSU and brought in Yannick Ngakoue from the Jaguars.  The Packers have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback but didn't really do anything all that significant in the offseason to help him out.  Ultimately, I think Minnesota is the better overall team, and because of that, Green Bay will just miss out on the playoffs in what could be Rodgers' final season at Lambeau.  The Bears and Lions will likely be as irrelevant as usual, unless Nick Foles wins the starting job in Chicago and is able to turn things around dramatically.  I would consider that unlikely, however.

NFC South
1.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers - x
2.  New Orleans Saints - y
3.  Carolina Panthers
4.  Atlanta Falcons

I'm very excited for the two games between the Bucs and the Saints, the first of which takes place in week 1.  There are some serious weapons for Tom Brady in Tampa, the likes of which he has never had before.  While he might be able to prove he can win without Bill Belichick, Brady haters will point to the star-studded cast around him as evidence his quarterback play is in fact not elite on his own.  Ultimately, Tampa Bay and New Orleans will finish 1 and 2 in the division, and will likely be competing for home field advantage in the playoffs.  I think the Panthers will show improvement this season with Teddy Bridgewater under center, and I really have no faith in the Falcons.  Maybe they can use their poor 2020 performance to finally replace Matt Ryan in the 2021 draft.

Written by Nick Swatson