The NFL has reached its midpoint in the 2025 season, and league-wide parity has never been more apparent.
After seven weeks of play, nearly two-thirds of teams remain in legitimate playoff contention, with power rankings shifting almost weekly.
One division has separated itself from the rest: the NFC North has emerged as the most competitive unit in football, featuring depth, balance, and toughness across all four teams.
Former NFL coach Brian Arians appeared on a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, where he was asked whether he genuinely believes the NFC North is the best division or just BS.
“That’s no BS right now,” Arians said. “Now, it would be the West if the Arizona Cardinals could figure out how to win a game at the end. If the Cardinals could get it going, because they’re so close, so close each week. Then I say, the West is the toughest division.”
"I think the NFC North is the best division in football right now..
Everybody in that division has a chance to make the playoffs" ~ @BruceArians #PMSLive https://t.co/lm1whBKnXi pic.twitter.com/UE3743VUPf
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 21, 2025
The Detroit Lions have reclaimed the top spot in multiple Week 8 power rankings after their 24-9 win over Tampa Bay, improving to 5-2 on the season.
The Green Bay Packers sit close behind at 4-1-1, consistently landing in analysts’ top six rankings.
Chicago, once viewed as a rebuilding project, has impressed at 4-2 with a surging defense and disciplined young core.
Minnesota’s 3-3 record keeps them firmly in Wild Card contention despite their inconsistency.
The NFC North’s strength lies in its balance across the board.
All four teams rank in the league’s top half in total offense, while Detroit, Green Bay, and Chicago feature among the top 12 in scoring defense.
Stability from Jared Goff and Aidan Hutchinson has anchored the Lions’ consistency, while Jordan Love’s leadership has made the Packers resilient through adversity.
The Bears’ turnaround and Minnesota’s competitiveness ensure every divisional game remains challenging.
Across the league, the NFC West also shows a different kind of power, with San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles all sitting at 5-2.
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