NFL · 19 minutes ago

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 6

Frank LaBella

Host · Writer

Where Does Your Team Stand?
Thirteen weeks remain, but some teams are already solidifying their chances at a playoff seed. Is your team looking like a division winner?

Where does your team sit in the standings through five weeks? Do you agree with our picks? Let us know in the comments!
Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 6
Five weeks into the NFL season, storylines are emerging, division races are tightening up, and some teams are already falling behind. We've got much more football ahead, but it's time to check in on who will reign supreme in each of the NFL's eight divisions.
AFC East Winner
Buffalo has shown tough prowess so far this season, handling quality opponents and looking like a Super Bowl contender.

Buffalo Bills Team Profile
- Head Coach: Joe Brady
- Offensive Coordinator: Pete Carmichael
- Defensive Coordinator: Jim Leonhard
- Stadium: Highmark Stadium
- 2026 Record: 4-1
AFC East Winner: Buffalo Bills

Despite Sean McDermott's departure after nine seasons, Buffalo looks like it hasn’t lost a step. After all, new coach Joe Brady stepped up from the offensive coordinator role, so the puzzle pieces weren’t taken from very far. From a passing standpoint, this is very much another “work with what you’ve got” season for Josh Allen. The core of D.J. Moore, who’s been injured, alongside Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, and Keon Coleman is quality enough on paper, but there hasn’t exactly been a standout target, with none of them cracking the top fifty among NFL pass catchers in receptions.

As the last decade has conveyed, the only real competition for a division lead in the AFC East comes from Buffalo and New England, who went on to win the conference entirely last year. The Patriots have seemingly taken a step back this season, with Drake Maye facing some early-season struggles, but they are beginning to find their identity once again. The Bills seem to be the more consistent team right now and look like a stronger candidate, though they did lose the Week 3 head-to-head matchup against New England.
AFC North Winner
The Flock is booming through five weeks and is holding on to the lead in the AFC North despite the flavorful competition.

Baltimore Ravens Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jesse Minter
- Offensive Coordinator: Declan Doyle
- Defensive Coordinator: Anthony Weaver
- Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium
- 2026 Record: 4-1
AFC North Winner: Baltimore Ravens

Two-time Pro Bowl wideout Zay Flowers signed a $140 million extension in August and has played up to the penny through four games. With over 100 yards per game so far, he has finally become a premier target as more than just a deep-ball threat. With a 32-year-old Derrick Henry still playing like a top-five running back, the offense is hitting on all cylinders, even winning with Lamar Jackson out for a game.

This division was difficult to predict at the start of the season, and it has remained the most contested through five weeks. Each team has at least three wins, and suddenly there are more hoops to jump through than most people would’ve expected. Quarterback play in this division has been exceptional, with a 34:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Deshaun Watson is igniting a fire under a Cleveland team that hasn’t sparked in a long time, but it may not be sustainable given limited weapons and a lack of Myles Garrett-level pressure on defense. The other two teams in the division have exciting offenses that can’t seem to stay hot for long, which might ultimately not take them the distance.
AFC South Winner
Jacksonville might run away with the AFC South lead before we reach double-digit weeks into the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars Team Profile
- Head Coach: Liam Coen
- Offensive Coordinator: Grant Udinski
- Defensive Coordinator: Anthony Campanile
- Stadium: EverBank Stadium
- 2026 Record: 4-1
The Jaguars have been playing efficient football across all phases through the first month. The offense is well-rounded, led by a poised Trevor Lawrence in year six. The defense is ranked second in the league in points allowed, surrendering just 14 per game, and first in rushing yards allowed, suffocating opposing rushers. To top it all off, kicker Cam Little continues to make headlines for his ridiculous leg strength, seemingly solidifying games from any point on the field.

While maybe not the most flashy team on paper, Jacksonville seems to be the most comfortable in this division. Indianapolis doesn’t look as pretty on offense since Daniel Jones returned from injury, with only three passing touchdowns through five games. Tennessee looks lost entirely with their winless record, and Houston, who very much seems to be better than their 1-4 record shows, has to crawl a long way back to take the division lead, and it doesn’t appear that Jacksonville will slow down enough for that to happen.
AFC West Winner
The only undefeated team in the AFC, the Chiefs look right where they belong again.

Kansas City Chiefs Team Profile
- Head Coach: Andy Reid
- Offensive Coordinator: Brian Daboll
- Defensive Coordinator: Gus Bradley
- Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
- 2026 Record: 4-0
You can’t keep Kansas City down for long, and after a 2025 season in the dumps, they’ve found their stride again. It certainly helps that the acquisition of the Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker has suddenly spawned a top three rusher on an already typically scary offense. Andy Reid always has plenty of schemes to work with, even if the offense is depleted, and even though the Chiefs just lost their leading receiver in yards, Tyquan Thornton, there's a rumor that a familiar face is considering returning to Kansas City.

The Broncos can and absolutely will keep Kansas City on their toes and force them to keep their foot on the gas throughout the season. Last year’s No. 1 seed in the AFC has already beaten multiple tough opponents this season and will not fall far behind. The Raiders, though their 3-0 start was hype, are already falling back to reality, and it wouldn’t be shocking for them to skid under .500 soon enough. As for the Chargers withering away at the bottom of the division, the season might have to be scrapped now, and issues will have to be diagnosed sooner rather than later.
NFC East Winner
Someone has to win this division, and Philadelphia should be able to take it for a third straight year.

Philadelphia Eagles Team Profile
- Head Coach: Nick Sirianni
- Offensive Coordinator: Sean Mannion
- Defensive Coordinator: Vic Fangio
- Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
- 2026 Record: 2-2
It might be easier to explain why the other three teams won’t win the division than to claim why Philadelphia should bring it home. Each of these squads has a legitimate chance at the lead, and somehow the Giants, without Jaxson Dart, are the only team with one loss. From an outsider’s perspective, New York didn’t attack the quarterback market with much force, and brought in J.J. McCarthy, whom Minnesota had pretty much given up on, to be the second option behind Jameis Winston. Though it’s been serviceable enough to win three games, the Giants really haven’t played any great teams other than the Rams, who blew them out of the water the day Dart went down with an injury.

The Cowboys are a rollercoaster of emotions, capable of beating a team at its best, and then crumbling to mediocre opponents on any given day. Yet they’re more plausible a division leader than Washington, who truthfully doesn’t have a very pretty offense other than when Jayden Daniels uses his feet. As for the Eagles, the offense isn’t running as smoothly as it did the past few years, with A.J. Brown being gone and Saquon Barkley’s workload diminished. They’ve been the top dog the past few years and remain the easiest name to put at the top of this division, even if they lack the scariness they used to have.
NFC North Winner
Dan Campbell's squad should claim the throne in the contested NFC North.

Detroit Lions Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Campbell
- Offensive Coordinator: Drew Petzing
- Defensive Coordinator: Kelvin Sheppard
- Stadium: Ford Field
- 2026 Record: 3-2
NFC North Winner: Detroit Lions

Detroit has the tools and coaching staff to be a top-three team in the NFL, but their defense has held them back this year. They sit 32nd in the league in yards allowed, at 404 per game. This defense was once great, so it wouldn’t be delusional to think it could get its act together to support an offense that has an underrated number of weapons. Jahmyr Gibbs leads the league in rushing or receiving touchdowns with nine in total, and Jared Goff has multiple other solid targets to find even if he isn’t playing at his best.

Every team in this division is above .500 through five weeks, which is sensational, especially since Chicago has been without Caleb Williams for three games. Truthfully, both teams in the Bears-Packers rivalry are on a similar level, probably finishing with close to 10 wins and having a shot at the Wild Card. Both offenses are incredible, but they don’t quite have that extra pizzazz to get over the hump. The elephant in the room, of course, is in Minnesota, where a 5-0 team sits, yet not at the top of my projections. Ultimately, this team isn’t sustainable, at least not enough to hold off the great talent in this division. The defense has allowed less than thirteen points per game, which is absolutely ridiculous, and it’s hard to imagine the offense, which ranks 27th in yards per game, can hide behind it much longer.
NFC South Winner
It's been a slow start to the season for New Orleans, but the NFC South is open for the taking.

New Orleans Saints Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kellen Moore
- Offensive Coordinator: Doug Nussmeier
- Defensive Coordinator: Brandon Staley
- Stadium: Caesars Superdome
- 2026 Record: 1-4
This division once had quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan all playing football at the same time. Obviously, with no team currently positive in the standings, the level of talent isn’t quite where it once was. One thing’s for certain: Tampa Bay has been awfully disappointing, to the point where it is hard to picture them bouncing back, notably with Baker Mayfield remaining sidelined a bit longer.

Of the predictions here, New Orleans definitely appears like the biggest reach, especially talking division winners, not just Wild Card snags. Carolina has plenty of young talent on display this season, but when they’re facing tough opponents, the offense crumbles where it shouldn’t, as in its loss to Cleveland. The Falcons have truly been impressive, with their run game the most dominant in the league. The quarterback play, whether Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa at the front lines, will never move the needle enough to believe in this team as a division leader. Despite New Orleans losing three straight games, the season is still young, and Tyler Shough is leading an exciting offense blending veterans with youthful talent. Additionally, looking ahead, they have the third-easiest remaining strength of schedule this season, which puts them ahead in a division they’re barely behind in.
NFC West Winner
San Francisco is one of three undefeated teams in the league through five weeks and shows no signs of slowing down.

San Francisco 49ers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan
- Offensive Coordinator: Klay Bubiak
- Defensive Coordinator: Raheem Morris
- Stadium: Levi's Stadium
- 2026 Record: 5-0
If you can find anything wrong with this team, let us know. San Francisco ranks third in points per game and points allowed per game. In an offense with phenomenal talent at every position, except maybe wide receiver, the team went out and grabbed longtime star Mike Evans and reeled in Deebo Samuel. The only reason they wouldn’t be miles ahead of every other team in their division in the NFC is if they were in the West, which holds multiple championship contenders, and yes, they’re stuck there.

There’s no need to look in Arizona's direction anytime in the near future, but the other teams in the division need to be addressed. The Rams are certainly playing below their 2-3 record, losing two games by less than five points, making many minor mistakes, and awaiting the return of their prized new possession, the great Myles Garrett. Expect them to take off very soon, and find themselves in the Wild Card pretty comfortably, if not looming for the division lead. Of Seattle’s two losses, one came to the 49ers understandably, and the other was a bad game against Washington. That matchup proved their defense isn’t as stable as it was last year; the team isn’t looking as dominant in rolling through easy opponents. Anticipate multiple playoff teams out of the NFC West, probably even three, but the 49ers are a runaway train right now with no obstacles in sight.
Where Does Your Team Stand?
Thirteen weeks remain, but some teams are already solidifying their chances at a playoff seed. Is your team looking like a division winner?

Where does your team sit in the standings through five weeks? Do you agree with our picks? Let us know in the comments!
Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 6
Five weeks into the NFL season, storylines are emerging, division races are tightening up, and some teams are already falling behind. We've got much more football ahead, but it's time to check in on who will reign supreme in each of the NFL's eight divisions.

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 6

Buffalo Bills Team Profile

AFC East Winner: Buffalo Bills

Baltimore Ravens Team Profile

AFC North Winner: Baltimore Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars Team Profile

Kansas City Chiefs Team Profile

Philadelphia Eagles Team Profile

Detroit Lions Team Profile

NFC North Winner: Detroit Lions

New Orleans Saints Team Profile

San Francisco 49ers Team Profile

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