What would a re-aligned AFC East Division look like? How would it affect the New York Jets?
The dead period of the NFL offseason is the perfect time to spitball about hypotheticals.
One hypothetical idea that has been making the rounds on social media is the thought of what the NFL’s divisions would look like if they were more geographically accurate.
Currently, the NFL’s division system features quite a few misfits who seem out of place alongside their three division rivals, such as the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East and the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.
What if the NFL improved the geographical accuracy of its divisions?
A recent Reddit post visualized what a realignment of this fashion could look like.
The fan-made realignment proposal features an interesting concept for the AFC East. The Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and New York Jets would stay put, but the Miami Dolphins would be replaced by Gang Green’s MetLife Stadium co-tenants: the New York Giants.
Geographically, this AFC East setup would make much more sense, forming a Northeastern triangle in which three stadiums are all within a relatively short driving distance from one another. Highmark Stadium and Gillette Stadium are separated by a 457-mile driving distance. Gillette is 214 miles from MetLife and Highmark is 358 miles from MetLife.
As things currently stand, the Dolphins are out of place in the AFC East, sitting on the opposite end of the east coast as their three rivals. Hard Rock Stadium is a 1,260-mile drive from MetLife Stadium.
Personally, I would be all aboard for two annual matchups between the Jets and Giants. There is so much potential for a heated New York rivalry between these two fanbases – similar to Yankees/Mets, Knicks/Nets, or any combination of the three hockey teams – but since these squads only meet up every four years, there really isn’t a true rivalry. I think it would be loads of fun for the New York sports scene if these teams shared a division.
Here are all eight divisions from the realignment proposed in the fan-made Reddit concept shared above:
- AFC East: Bills, Giants, Jets, Patriots
- AFC West: Broncos, Cardinals, Chiefs, Raiders
- AFC Central: Bengals, Browns, Colts, Titans
- AFC South: Buccaneers, Dolphins, Jaguars, Panthers
- NFC East: Commanders, Eagles, Ravens, Steelers
- NFC West: Chargers, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks
- NFC Central: Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings
- NFC South: Cowboys, Falcons, Saints, Texans
Would you be a fan of this hypothetical realignment concept?
