ESPN ranked the NFC North ahead of the NFC West in their annual division power rankings. The move raises eyebrows given the West's recent dominance, but the North has legitimate firepower this season.
The NFC North features the Lions, Vikings, Packers, and Bears. Detroit and Minnesota both field playoff-caliber rosters. Green Bay remains dangerous despite transition years. Chicago is rebuilding but not a free win anymore.
The NFC West still has the 49ers and Seahawks as contenders, but injuries and inconsistency have cut into the division's overall depth. The Rams and Cardinals lag behind their Western peers. That's where the gap widens. The North's top-to-bottom quality trumps the West's star power.
This ranking doesn't mean the NFC West produces fewer playoff teams. It measures divisional strength as a collective unit. The North's four teams all have paths to contention. The West leans harder on San Francisco carrying water.
Expect debate all season. Win-loss records will ultimately settle this argument come January.