NFC West Leads Sportsnet's 'Group of Death' Rankings Across Major Leagues
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The NFL division tops a list of the most grueling groups across the NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB.
In a recent analysis of the four major North American sports leagues, Sportsnet utilized the World Cup's "Group of Death" concept to rank the most grueling divisions. The outlet identified the NFL's NFC West as the toughest overall, citing the division's dominance in the Super Bowl and the presence of reigning MVP Matt Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. Other high-ranking "death matches" included the NHL's Atlantic Division, the NFL's NFC North, and the NBA's Northwest Division.
Sportsnet highlighted the Atlantic Division's brutality, noting the championship pedigree of the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, alongside the Boston Bruins' record-setting 135-point season in 2022-23. The analysis also pointed to the rise of the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs' acquisition of first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, and defenseman Darren Raddysh.
However, while the NFL's NFC North boasts a high floor with all four teams—the Bears, Packers, Vikings, and Lions—finishing above .500 last year, and the NBA's Northwest features MVPs Nikola Jokic and Shea Gilgeous-Alexander, these league structures pale in comparison to the lightweight landscape of the UFC. In the fight game, there are no divisions to shield contenders; the carnage is constant and the stakes are immediate.