The eight teams who finished bottom of their division last year will all want to go from worst to first – but some have far greater chances than others on paper.
Cleveland Browns: They only team in the NFL not to win a division since the 2002 realignment, their last was in 1989, and don’t bank on this being the year for their first worst-to-first finish.
The defence remains solid, elite even, but that quarterback room with Shedeur Sanders and 40-year-old Joe Flacco doesn’t look great and a tough division containing the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers gives them an impossible task.
Chicago Bears: New head coach Ben Johnson should get more out of Caleb Williams, but again the division is an issue, with the other three teams in the NFC North all making the play-offs last season.
New Orleans Saints: They won the Super Bowl after a worst-to-first campaign but this team look miles off, even in an easier division that most. Quarterback Spencer Rattler won the starting job but lost all six of his starts last season and had three more interceptions than touchdowns.
Tennessee Titans: Everything rests with top draft pick Cam Ward to see if he can do a CJ Stroud and turn the tables.
New York Giants: Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart could replace Russell Wilson sooner than expected after his impressive pre-season but they have Super Bowl champions Philadelphia and the improved Commanders in their division.
The NFC East has not had a back-to-back winner since 2004 though, so you never know.
Las Vegas Raiders: New head coach Pete Caroll had 11 winning seasons in 14 at Seattle, including a Super Bowl win, so expect improvement – but perhaps not enough to topple the dominant Kansas City Chiefs or well-fancied Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers.
New England Patriots: New head coach Mike Vrabel will toughen the Pats up – based on his success with the Titans – and this time he looks to have a genuine star quarterback in Drake Maye. This could be perfect timing.
San Francisco 49ers: Bottom of the NFC West last year but actually the bookies’ favourites to win it this year, San Francisco had huge injury problems, in particular star running back Christian McCaffrey missing 13 games.
