NFL Divisional Rankings Halfway through the 2016 Season

College football fans frequently argue about the superiority or inferiority of conferences. As much as those in the NFL like to maintain that parity exists across its divisions, fans believe differently. How can fans settle the debate? Therefore, an objective system is needed to rank of the eight divisions.

Here is my contribution to the debate. Divisions are judged on how their members fare in non-divisional games. Below the eight divisions are listed from strongest to weakest. Their scores are based on the first nine weeks of the season. Wins on the road are worth more than those at home. For those wondering about the scale, a perfect score would be 2.068.

AFC West (.935)

This foursome has dominated both the AFC South (8-2) and NFC South (6-3) to prove themselves the toughest division so far in 2016.

NFC East (.848)

This is the only division without any teams with a losing record after nine weeks. However, the 4-4 record versus the NFC North kept this division out of first place.

NFC South (.619)

Despite only the division-leading Atlanta Falcons being above .500 overall, this group has won six out of nine versus the NFC West.

NFC North (.595)

This group does not have a winning record against any division against which this group has played more than once.

AFC East (.558)

Mediocre records against the NFC West (4-4) and the AFC South (1-1) shows why this division is mediocre.

AFC South (.500)

Good news: 6-4 versus NFC North. Bad news: 1-1 versus both AFC East and AFC North. Worse news: 2-8 versus AFC West.

NFC West (.421)

The 49ers have only one win so far and that was within the division. Therefore, their struggles helped lower this division's score noticeably.

AFC North (.365)

Having the Cleveland Browns, the only winless team in the NFL, in this division's basement greatly hurt the division's score.