2021 NFL Divisional Power Rankings: Chargers bolt AFC West to new territory; NFC East back to familiar place

The Kansas City Chiefs are in final place within the AFC West, whereas the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos are undefeated and in first place in the identical division. Who may have predicted that end result after the primary three weeks of the season? 

The NFL actually is a week-to-week league, which is why the divisional energy rankings shuffled fairly a bit after Week 3. A number of interdivisional showdowns set the stage for the how the rankings sorted out after Week 3, whereas some intra-divisional contests performed a significant factor. 

Whereas it is nonetheless robust to find out which division is actually the most effective within the NFL, now we have a great indicator of the contenders as September involves a detailed. Let’s simply say there’s some actually good soccer being performed out west. 

8. NFC East

Final week’s rating: 6

Welcome again to the basement of the NFL, thanks to a few poor performances by the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Soccer Workforce. The Giants may solely muster 14 factors in opposition to an Atlanta Falcons group that allowed 80 factors over the primary two video games of the season — on 10 days relaxation. New York is in competitors for the worst group within the NFL, not precisely supreme for a group that had hopes of profitable this poor division.

Washington gave up 43 factors in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia allowed 41 to the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Evening Soccer.” Neither group was aggressive of their contests. Washington, a group that was in competitors for the league’s greatest protection coming into the season, has given up the fourth most factors within the league. Philadelphia’s lone win was in opposition to Atlanta and the Eagles have regressed ever since, trying like one of many worst groups within the NFL. 

Dallas is the category of this division, a really unhealthy one. The NFC East is simply 2-6 outdoors the division, showcasing why the division hasn’t precisely improved from final 12 months. 

7. AFC South

Final week’s rating: 8

For one week at the least, the AFC South managed to remain out of being ranked because the worst division within the NFL. Was it as a result of the NFC East was that poor in Week 3 the AFC South moved up a spot? The Houston Texans had been dominated by the Carolina Panthers on “Thursday Evening Soccer” and the Jacksonville Jaguars had been outscored by 18 factors within the second half to the Arizona Cardinals, committing 4 turnovers within the loss. Each groups began rookie quarterbacks, though Trevor Lawrence continues to show the soccer over at an alarming fee (leads the league with seven interceptions). 

Carson Wentz on two sprained ankles was no match for the Tennessee Titans protection, because the Indianapolis Colts scored simply 16 factors and completed 1 of three within the purple zone. Tennessee’s interdivisional win over Indianapolis was the one victory the AFC South had in Week 3, which was anticipated as the one win the division would have this week. 

The AFC South is 1-7 in video games outdoors the division, worse than the NFC East. Jacksonville and Houston did not get embarrassed just like the NFC East did in Week 3. 

6. NFC North

Final week’s rating: 7

Give this division lots of credit score. The NFC North took the “worst division in soccer” rating to coronary heart and had a powerful week. The Green Bay Packers had an enormous win over the San Francisco 49ers on “Sunday Evening Soccer” and the Minnesota Vikings shocked the Seattle Seahawks at residence. That is two big wins over the NFC West, which ranked No. 1 in these rankings the primary two weeks. 

The Detroit Lions had been a Justin Tucker 66-yard subject objective that bounced off the crossbar from upsetting the Baltimore Ravens, a kick that in all probability ought to have been longer due to a controversial non-call. The Chicago Bears had been embarrassed by the Cleveland Browns and Matt Nagy does not know who his quarterback is. Chicago poorly represented the division this week with simply 47 yards of offense, together with one internet passing yard. 

The NFC North is simply 2-8 outdoors the division, however the big wins from the Vikings and Packers over the NFC West moved them up. They’re the one two out-of-division wins — assertion ones in opposition to probably the greatest divisions in soccer. 

5. AFC East

Final week’s rating: 4

Thank the Buffalo Payments for salvaging the division from having a depressing week. Buffalo blew out Washington at residence, because the Payments established themselves because the clear front-runner on this division. The Payments might have additionally reemerged because the contender for home-field benefit within the AFC with the Chiefs off to 2 convention losses this early within the 12 months. 

As for the remainder of the division? The New England Patriots had been crushed badly at residence by the New Orleans Saints and the New York Jets could not rating some extent in a blowout loss to the Denver Broncos. Regardless of drafting Zach Wilson, the Jets are final within the NFL in factors scored — in that competitors for the worst group within the league. 

The Miami Dolphins misplaced a troublesome matchup to the Las Vegas Raiders on the street in additional time, with a backup quarterback on the helm. It is arduous to get a learn on New England and Miami via three weeks.

Exterior the division, the AFC East is just 1-5. That file ought to enhance over the subsequent few weeks. 

4. NFC South

Final week’s rating: 5

This division appeared to be between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Carolina Panthers have entered the chat. 

Carolina is off to its first 3-0 begin because the 2015 season, when the Panthers went to the Super Bowl. Wins over the Jets and Texans aren’t convincing, however the Panthers did beat a Saints group that dominated the Packers and Patriots. Carolina makes this division extra formidable, particularly since they lead the South with Tampa Bay dropping to the Los Angeles Rams. 

The Saints had a powerful win over the Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons upset the New York Giants to earn their first win. It wasn’t that way back the Falcons had been within the dialog for the worst group within the NFL. 

If Tampa Bay did not fall to Los Angeles, this division had a case to crack the highest three. The NFC South is a powerful 6-2 in out of division video games. 

3. AFC North

Final week’s rating: 3

The Cleveland Browns look to be the category of this division via three weeks, however the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals — sure the Cincinnati Bengals — are tied with them atop the division at 2-1. Cincinnati had a powerful win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Ja’Marr Chase is making a serious distinction in a division that is dominated by sturdy defenses. Pittsburgh’s offense will not be in sync after three weeks, making the Steelers’ win over the Payments all of the extra perplexing. The schedule does not get simpler with the Packers on deck. 

Baltimore wanted a controversial non-call only for Justin Tucker to hit a 66-yard subject objective that hit and bounced over the crossbar to beat Detroit — the final place group within the NFC North. Not a powerful win, nevertheless it’s a win for the division. Cleveland dominated Chicago to win its second straight, making life depressing for a Bears offense that had simply six first downs. The Browns had seven sacks and held Justin Fields to six of 20 passing, showcasing the power of their protection. 

The AFC North has two good groups — and will have three. They’re 6-4 in out of division video games. 

2. NFC West

Final week’s rating: 1

The NFC West was dethroned from the No. 1 spot, a troublesome resolution to make given how the division fared final week. The deciding issue was the Seattle Seahawks dropping by 13 factors to a beforehand winless Vikings group — not precisely flexing their muscle outdoors the division. The San Francisco 49ers misplaced an interdivisional matchup to the Packers with no time remaining, holding the lead with 32 seconds left earlier than permitting Aaron Rodgers to drive down the sphere and lead Inexperienced Bay to victory on a walk-off subject objective by Mason Crosby. 

This division nonetheless homes two of the 5 unbeaten groups left within the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams had a powerful win over the defending Tremendous Bowl champions whereas the Arizona Cardinals survived a halftime deficit to beat the Jaguars. Arizona and Los Angeles sq. off this week in what needs to be a shootout for sole possession for first place on this gifted division. San Francisco faces Seattle this week as properly. 

By means of three weeks, the NFC West is 9-3 in out of division video games. The primary intra-divisional video games start this week. 

1. AFC West

Final week’s rating: 2

When the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs sit in final place in a division, that is a superb indicator how good the division is. The Los Angeles Chargers upset Kansas Metropolis in Arrowhead Stadium for an announcement victory, showcasing they will be a contender for the division crown. The Chargers snapped a seven-game residence profitable streak by the Chiefs when Patrick Mahomes begins, making the win much more spectacular. 

The Chargers are solely third on this division, behind the undefeated Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. Vegas gained its second additional time recreation in three weeks, holding off a late cost by the Dolphins to remain unbeaten. Denver throttled the New York Jets, ending September 3-0 after failing to win a recreation within the month in every of the final two seasons. 

The Chiefs are nonetheless one of the gifted groups within the NFL, however this division has considerably improved. All 4 groups have the look of playoff contender in a loaded AFC, which is why the AFC West overtook the NFC West for the No. 1 spot. 

The AFC West is 8-2 outdoors the division, as that .800 win share is the most effective within the NFL. One other case why the division is now the most effective in soccer.