Ranking NFL's best and worst divisions: New leader emerges entering Week 6 — SkimNews
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- AFC North claims the top spot, with the source noting all four teams (Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Browns) sport winning records and the division may again be undecided until the final week of the regular season, mirroring 2025.
- Baltimore Ravens, under new coach Jesse Minter, rallied past the Falcons with backup QB Tyler Huntley, though the article flags their defense as "suspect" and a potential blocker on a Super Bowl run.
- Cincinnati Bengals rebounded from two straight losses behind Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Ja'Marr Chase, with a defense ranked 10th in the NFL in points allowed and 3rd in red-zone efficiency.
- Pittsburgh Steelers have alternated wins and losses each week, but Aaron Rodgers became the first Steelers QB since Terry Bradshaw to throw three TDs in three consecutive games in what the source calls his "farewell season."
- NFC West slips to #3 after the Rams' sluggish start, though the article says Los Angeles still has reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford and expects to welcome back "reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett sometime in the next month."
- San Francisco 49ers built an early NFC West cushion with road wins over the Rams (in Australia) and Seahawks, drawing "MVP-level play from Brock Purdy" per the source.
- NFC South ranks ahead of the NFC East despite being the only division without a winning team, while Bucs coach Todd Bowles and Saints coach Kellen Moore are both on the hot seat — Saints owner Gayle Benson publicly voiced frustration with Moore this week.
Why it matters: The AFC North is the only division where all four teams have winning records entering Week 6, and the source projects another race to the final week as in 2025. The NFC East ranks last despite being 'one of the NFL's tightest,' while the Cowboys' defensive collapse prompted ex-head coach Mike Pettine to join their staff and a players-only meeting.
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