One graphic proves simply how giant the hole between AFC and NFC is

The AFC is broadly thought-about the superior NFL convention — and this graphic is the right illustration. 

The Kansas City Chiefs and the AFC reigned supreme within the 2023 Tremendous Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles, in the meantime, had been despatched house empty-handed after a heartbreaking defeat. It set the stage completely for an additional summer time of debate: which NFL convention is superior?

Whereas there are lots of components at play right here, from group protection, to common season manufacturing, to postseason projections, there’s typically one fast and straightforward solution to evaluate the standard of each conferences  — have a look at the quarterbacks.

This graphic from Professional Soccer Focus is perhaps all we have to reply the query of which convention is healthier.

The AFC established as superior convention to NFC primarily based on quarterback high quality

In a rating of the ten greatest quarterbacks in soccer, the NFC is represented solely 3 times: Jalen Hurts (No. 7), Kirk Cousins (No. 9), and Dak Prescott (No. 10). The entire top-6 quarterbacks, based on PFF, belong to the AFC.

Now there’ll naturally be debates over the specifics of every rating. Jalen Hurts simply led the Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl with a historic mixture of passing and operating. Perhaps he must be a shade greater. I’d additionally bump Lamar Jackson up a spot or two, and perhaps think about some alternates for Cousins and Prescott within the 9-10 spots — that, after all, doesn’t precisely bolster the NFC’s case.

In protection of the NFC, it does really feel like a good portion of the 10-20 vary would and may reside with them. Consider the breakout (or bounce-back) candidates within the NFC, from Justin Fields, to Kyler Murray, to Brock Purdy or Trey Lance. There’s a variety of room for upward motion with NFC quarterbacks, not a lot with the AFC omissions, save for the notably absent Tua Tagovailoa.

It’s unimaginable to disclaim the star energy concentrated on the high of the AFC proper now. With Mahomes cemented within the No. 1 spot, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson all really feel like they’re ready in line for a Tremendous Bowl at this level. Hurts has a robust probability to steer the Eagles to the NFC mountaintop once more, however he alone can not save the NFC on this debate.