And the Best Division in the NFL is ….

By Richard Rice
Love of Sports Correspondent

It seems the balance of power in the NFL has shifted at least a little from the AFC over to the NFC.

The 10-0 Tennessee Titans notwithstanding, the NFC’s seen great play from not only traditional powerhouses like the Giants, Redskins and Packers, but it’s also the surprise conference with teams like the Cardinals, Falcons and Bucs having really good seasons as well.

The NFC’s playing really well at home, which shouldn’t be surprising. However, take two teams from last season.

The Giants and Falcons were a combined 6-10 at home in ‘07. So far this year, those same two teams are 10-1. And the G-Men won it all last season. Just think if they would’ve had a home playoff game or two with the swirling winds and freezing temperatures at the Meadowlands.

This season, the NFC South is a combined 19-2 at home, which is simply amazing at this point in the season.

The NFC East is really good as well and would be even better except for the fact they keep on beating up on each other, as Dallas did against Washington on Sunday.

Consider this: no team in the NFC East has a losing record, with the Eagles in the “cellar” at 5-4-1. And seven of the teams’ 13 combined losses come from a team in their own division.

As with the East, the NFC South has been rolling this season too. They also have no team with a losing record, with New Orleans in last place at 5-5. Six of their combined 14 losses have come from teams in the South.

Those two divisions have obviously been stellar, but there may be another that can claim the title of best in the NFL. And, surprisingly, it’s not the New England Patriots who are leading it.

I’m talking, of course, about the AFC East. And it’s the New York Jets and Brett Favre who lead the way, not the Patriots - of 16-0 fame in ‘07. The Atlanta Falcons of the AFC - the Miami Dolphins - are in second at 6-4 and are tied with New England. Unfortunately, the Bills, who started the season as hot as any team at 5-1, have fallen back. They’re still a good team at 5-5 if they can find some solid quarterback play.

So the question remains,which is the best division in football?

For me, it comes down to two questions: Which teams have the best play from the quarterback position, and which teams do others not want to see in the playoffs?

To me, the NFC South has the four best quarterbacks right now, even with one of them being a rookie (Matt Ryan). Brett Favre, as good as he is, will throw 20 interceptions to go with his 30 touchdowns - you can have him, Jets fans.

Chad Pennington couldn’t keep his job as the Jets QB, but has proven himself as a starter again in Miami. Matt Cassell’s just keeping Tom Brady’s seat warm, though he’s doing a pretty damn good job for a guy who hasn’t started a football game sinch Bill Clinton was in office.

Jason Campbell’s still learning on the fly, as is Ryan. Tony Romo’s good, but he can also be very bad sometimes. Donovan McNabb will be hurt again soon, because Andy Reid loves throwing the ball 50 times a game.

So, which teams do others not want in the postseason? The answer to this is also very clear. No teams want to play any in the NFC East. Each of the teams in that division have not only been very good at one point this season, but they also have the tradition experience, and veteran leadership needed to be successful in January.

For me, it’s no contest - the NFC East is the best division in the National Football League. And I wouldn’t be shocked at all if they have three teams make the playoffs when it’s all said and done.