Ranking NFL Division Races Down the Stretch of 2022 Season

The playoff push always defines the final weeks of the NFL season. Every result is dissected and discussed relative to its impact on the postseason standings.

But we shouldn't lose sight of entertainment along the way.

Only three weeks remain in the 2022 regular season, and several divisions likely won't be decided until the finale. And there may be multiple winner-take-all showdowns in Week 18.

The following ranking, while subjective, is based solely on how compelling the race should be. Whenever your favorite team isn't playing, it'd be wise to check on key matchups in these five divisions that—unlike the AFC West, NFC North and NFC West—haven't been decided.

Three weeks ago, the AFC East was a wonderful mess. Both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins held 8-3 records, sitting ahead of the 7-4 New York Jets and 6-5 New England Patriots.

Well, this one is basically over.

Since then, the Bills have rattled off consecutive wins against all three division opponents. Buffalo has taken control of the AFC East as the others have faltered badly. In fact, the Patriots have mustered the trio's lone victory in the last three weeks.

Buffalo can secure the division crown with a win over the Chicago Bears or a Miami loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.

There's not a ton of entertainment value here unless you support the Bills. The greater intrigue is whether the Dolphins can protect a wild-card spot or if the Patriots or Jets can steal it.

From a mathematical lens, the NFC East is minimally entertaining. Heading into Week 16, the Philadelphia Eagles need a single win or a Dallas Cowboys loss to wrap up the division.

But the rivals are slated to meet Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

And the Eagles may be without quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder)—potentially for another game beyond the Cowboys too.

Given that Hurts might not actually miss time, it's not fair to say Philly has a problem. Besides, one final victory or a Minnesota Vikings loss would also confirm the Eagles as the NFC's top seed. They have a favorable clash with the New Orleans Saints to start January anyway.

No matter if Hurts is available, the NFC East conversation is at least interesting if the Cowboys win this weekend.

Similar to the AFC East, the serious fun is largely in the wild-card discussion. That's not our focus here, but it's possible that all four NFC East franchises will earn a postseason bid.

"Fun" is a controversial word. Three of the AFC South's four teams are riding a losing streak of four-plus games, so we're not going to suggest there's a bunch of good football being played here.

Good football is not a requirement for curiosity, though.

Will the Jacksonville Jaguars manage to complete an improbable comeback? In late November, the 3-7 Jaguars owned an opposite record from the division-leading 7-3 Tennessee Titans. Thanks to a hot streak from quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jags—who defeated Tennessee in Week 14—have trimmed the deficit to a single game.

Jacksonville is set to host the Titans at TIAA Bank Field in the regular-season finale. As long as the Jaguars match Tennessee's results over the next two weeks, that contest will decide the AFC South.

For a neutral observer, is anything more captivating than chaos?

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers triumphantly stand atop the NFC South with a measly 6-8 record. Each of the Atlanta Falcons—who benched Marcus Mariota in favor of rookie Desmond Ridder—Carolina Panthers—who fired Matt Rhule in October—and New Orleans Saints—who haven't won consecutive games—owns a 5-9 mark.

The division is terribly ugly, for sure. Still, the closing stretch has a unique brand of mayhem attached.

Tampa Bay is positioned best right now because of its 3-1 division record in addition to the one-game edge. However, the Panthers' remaining slate of the Detroit Lions, Bucs and Saints is manageable. Carolina is also 3-1 in NFC South matchups, including a previous win over Tampa, so tiebreakers can easily break the Panthers' way.

Meanwhile, the Falcons close the season with the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals—who might and definitely will be without quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray, respectively—before hosting the Bucs. There is a feasible path for Atlanta too.

New Orleans has a tougher slate, traveling to the Cleveland Browns and Eagles prior to closing the season at home against Carolina. It seems the Saints are the least likely candidate.

At this point, who knows what'll happen? That, however, in an underhanded sort of way, is exactly the appeal.

Lamar Jackson's knee injury is a potential complication, but the AFC North is primed for a dramatic finish.

The 10-4 Cincinnati Bengals are riding a six-game winning streak. Right behind them, the 9-5 Baltimore Ravens currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. And the division rivals are approaching a Week 18 clash in Cincinnati that might determine the champion.

The single asterisk is they first have to cooperate.

If the Bengals notch a one-game advantage over the Ravens in the next two weekends, Cincinnati will have clinched the North. But as the Bengals take on the Patriots and Bills, Baltimore is at home against the Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers. The upcoming schedules favor the Ravens, especially if Jackson is available.

When the teams clashed in Week 5, Baltimore pulled out a 19-17 victory on Justin Tucker's field goal as time expired. That contest had the Sunday Night Football treatment, which may only be fitting.

Should the stakes align, the final SNF of the season will likely feature the Ravens and Bengals battling for the AFC North crown.