The "Best" Division in Football (NFCE vs NFCS)

[British_Panther]

It's the offseason and that means no FF and no combing of the rushing stats for proof that DWill is the best running back of all time. Instead I've been looking at division comparisons.

Many pundits like to call the NFCE the best division in football. The ex-players because they all played in it and the bookish talking head types because they love to orally pleasure NFCE QBs. But what do the facts say?

So, from 2002-2008;

Regular Season Record:

NFCE 242-205-1

NFCS 228-219-1

So at first glance the NFCE has a clear lead, it's won 14 more games. But divided over 7 years and 4 teams that's only 0.5 more wins per game per season. So on average an NFCE team wins an extra regular season game every couple of years, hardly domination.

Now lets see what the East does with those extra wins in the playoffs:

Playoff Record:

NFCE 11-12, 2 NFC Wins, 1 Superbowl Win

NFCS 11-9, 2 NFC Wins, 1 Superbowl Win

So those extra regular season wins have meant 3 extra playoff appearances in seven years, but nothing was achieved with them. No more Superbowl wins, no more Superbowl appearances, not even a single extra playoff win.

I haven't done the analysis on the other 6 divisions yet but so far it doesn't look like the NFCE can be objectively called the best of the 8 as it is always assumed to be.

[rayzor]

how has the NFCS done against the NFCE head to head?

i would look but i am supposed to be writing/working.

stupid cinco de mayo deadlines....

[Gman was right]

Panthers are 2-11 vs the NFCE in the regular season since 2002 but are 3-0 in the playoffs.

[jbland]

Panthers are 2-11 vs the NFCE in the regular season since 2002 but are 3-0 in the playoffs.

I will take 3-0 in the playoffs any day.

Granted we have to get their first.

[SteveSmithStinks01]

NFCE right now...put any of them in any other division and they are heading to the playoffs, personally I don't think the same could be said about the Bucs or I know this sounds odd but I am not sold on the Falcons yet..

[British_Panther]

NFCE right now...put any of them in any other division and they are heading to the playoffs, personally I don't think the same could be said about the Bucs or I know this sounds odd but I am not sold on the Falcons yet..

Cos the redskins are ownage right now? I don't see why we should rank the Cowboys and Eagles over the Bucs and Falcons, Philly and Dallas were both pretty streaky last year.

The main point of this thread is:

Famous QB =/ Successful Franchise

[bigdog_10_2002]

You'll have your answer by the end of december. They are both great divisions though, but I believe the best football is played in the NFC South...the greatest rivalries and media coverage resides in the East

[DaveThePanther2008]

NY Giants best team in NFC East. Best D Most consist O. Philly they tied Cincinnati for gods sake. Backed into the playoffs with the Bucs meltdown. Dallas Depends on which Dallas teams shows up. On paper a very dangerous team. Washington. When Dan Synder gets his hand out of the cookie jar they might do something. Too much Owner Involvement. SEE DALLAS.

Carolina offense can be scary and with an improved defense can beat anyone. Atlanta has a soft schedule last years. Will Ryan have sophmore blues? Tampa Bay...they are changing everything. Could be this past years Atlanta or Cleveland. New Orleans offense is incredible but you gotta be able to stop someone. To be that prolific on offense and still lose as many as you win. The defense had to suck. Not many picks in the draft. All will depend on how well they did in F.A. and UDFA.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

NY Giants best team in NFC East. Best D Most consist O. Philly they tied Cincinnati for gods sake. Backed into the playoffs with the Bucs meltdown. Dallas Depends on which Dallas teams shows up. On paper a very dangerous team.

I swear, the Eagles have to be one of the most underrated teams out there. You say that Dallas is a dangerous team "on paper." Well what about the team that beat them 44-3 with the playoffs on the line?

I know the Eagles are without Dawkins now, but I still think they'll probably win the division next year.

[Ccat]

NFCE right now...put any of them in any other division and they are heading to the playoffs, personally I don't think the same could be said about the Bucs or I know this sounds odd but I am not sold on the Falcons yet..

Sorry but I don't think the Redskins or Cowboys would make the playoffs if they were in our division.

[Taom82]

Eagles get underrated because they tend to have a great defense with a mediocre offense. This year it appears that McNabb finally has some weapons so on paper their offense is much improved. Not to mention they are retooling the OL, which has been in trouble the past few years.

[hdevonxz]

the nfc east is so hyped because it contains the 4 most popular teams in the nfl.

[panthers55]

the nfc east is so hyped because it contains the 4 most popular teams in the nfl.

It is true that all of the markets in the NFCE are very big. None of the NFCS are nearly as large. On the other hand all of the NFCE teams are old established franchises while none of the ones in the South have a long history or have experienced longterm success.