​Every NFL season brings plenty of debate about which division is the toughest, but DraftKings has weighed in with its own rankings ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Rather than ranking divisions by overall talent alone, the list focuses on how competitive each division is expected to be from top to bottom. Several of the rankings are easy to understand, while others are sure to spark debate among football fans.MORE: Top 7 quarterbacks in the NFL entering 2026-2027 seasonAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to DraftKings, the NFL divisions rank as follows:NFC North (Bears, Packers, Lions, Vikings)NFC West (Rams, Seahawks, 49ers, Cardinals)AFC West (Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Raiders)NFC East (Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders, Giants)AFC East (Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Jets)The NFC North taking the top spot shouldn’t surprise many fans. Every team in the division has playoff aspirations, and there isn’t an obvious bottom-feeder entering the season. Meanwhile, the NFC West’s blend of proven contenders, with the exception of the Arizona Cardinals, earned it the No. 2 ranking.Not everyone will agree with DraftKings’ order. Some fans may argue that the AFC North deserves to be higher given the consistent success of the Ravens and Steelers. Others may believe the NFC East is underrated despite featuring the Eagles, an improved Giants team, and a Cowboys team with Super Bowl aspirations.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe AFC East is top-heavy. Buffalo and New England are expected to contend, while Miami and the Jets could wind up being the two worst teams in the NFL.At the bottom of the list sits the NFC South, a division that continues to search for consistency. While several teams have made significant offseason improvements, DraftKings clearly believes it remains the least competitive division entering 2026.These rankings are based on preseason expectations, and those can change quickly. Few people had the Patriots making the Super Bowl last season or the Chiefs missing the playoffs.Injuries, breakout players, and offseason additions often reshape how divisions are viewed before Week 1 even arrives. New teams tend to emerge every season.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor now, however, DraftKings believes the road through the NFL’s toughest division runs through the NFC North, while the NFC South has the most to prove entering the 2026-27 season.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —