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NFL Preview: Ranking each division by strength

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) in the second quarter at Levi
Nov 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) in the second quarter at Levi /

1. NFC West

Divisions facing the NFC West in 2015: NFC North & AFC North

Even with the offseason collapse of the San Francisco 49ers, the NFC West is still the best division in all of football.

The St. Louis Rams have improved on their roster, adding key pieces in quarterback Nick Foles and defensive tackle Nick Fairley. Although it appeared to take a step back in 2014, their pass rush is still one of the – if not THE – best in football, and the group of Fairley, Robert Quinn, Chris Long and Michael Brockers will limit the ability of any offense to expand their playbook. If rookie running back Todd Gurley III fulfills his boundless potential, the Rams have a likely top-5 back.

In Arizona, the Cardinals will return to the 2015 season with a healthy quarterback and a defense led by Calais Campbell and Patrick Peterson. Most of the pieces that helped the team star out at 9-1 will be returning. Even if the Cardinals don’t return to the playoffs, and even if they fall into the same injury luck they endured in 2014, they still represent one of the toughest wins in the league.

Obviously at the top of the division remains the Seattle Seahawks. Except for maybe special teams, every positional group in Seattle is a strength, and the defense remains young and in the collective primes of their careers. CenturyLink Field remains the toughest place in the NFL to travel, unless that would be The University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona.

While the AFC East remains strong on paper, but until they prove otherwise the NFC West remains the league’s leaders.

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