Within the NFL, the league has only five more weeks until the playoffs begin. The standings within the NFC and the AFC have been fluctuating from week to week. Many teams have also conquered top teams in their division based on last year’s standings. Last year’s upset teams have turned into top teams this year.
Let’s take a look at the AFC East division. The New England Patriots are currently at the top of the division with an 11-2 record coming off week 13. The Patriots currently have a nine-game winning streak. Ending the 2024-2025 season, the Patriots were 4-13 and last in their division, with the Buffalo Bills taking the title. This year, the Bills are currently 8-4 and second in the division. This is unlike their record last year, which was 13-4. The Patriots have overtaken this division within this new season. This shift could be attributed to the new head coach, Mike Vrabel, and the Bills’ defense not being as forceful as in past seasons.
Within the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now 6-6 and second in their division. The Steelers, who dominated at the beginning of the year, are now falling down the ranks with the Baltimore Ravens taking the top spot. The Steelers selected Aaron Rodgers this year and perhaps did not use him to his full value. The Ravens took a hard hit with loosing Lamar early in the year but now with him coming off of injury reserve this may help them become the top of their division this season.
In the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars recently took the division over the Indianapolis Colts. Both of these teams are 8-4 and are battling out for the top spot this current year. Compared to last year, the Jaguars finished the year with a 4-13 record and third in the division. This represents a comeback compared to the statistics from the 2024-2025 season. The Jaguars have been improving on their running game and better special teams play. This has allowed them to progress through the ranks within this division.
The Denver Broncos, within the AFC West, have surpassed both the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos are currently 10-2 and first in their division, compared to last season’s 10-7 record and third in the division. Taking this top spot eliminates the Chiefs from the playoff picture. The Chiefs currently have a 6-6 record, which is a change from the 15-2 record they possessed last year. The Broncos have been slowly building up their team by leading the league in defensive sacks and using Bo Nix to lead them in game-winning drives.
The Chicago Bears have made drastic changes to help them maintain the first-place spot in the division with a 9-3 record, compared to last season’s 5-12 record and fourth place in the division. The team’s biggest competitor was the Detroit Lions, which were first, but this year they fell to third with a current 7-5 standing. The Bears have acquired a new head coach, Ben Johnson, who has helped boost morale within the team’s dynamics and drastically improved the offensive line.
Within this league, many losses from last year have become wins and have moved up from various places in their individual divisions. Improving from last season has been the priority for most teams as they try to make the playoff picture and utilize their players and coaching staff. Each division ranking changes week to week, and this season proves that last year’s standing will stay in the past.
