The NFL season is reaching its apex and excitement levels keep on growing. Super Bowl LVIII from Las Vegas' stunning Allegiant Stadium is just around the corner, and a number of teams are staking their claims for the Lombardi. The reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC powerhouse Philadelphia Eagles -- the team defeated by Patrick Mahomes and Co. back in February -- are both looking imperious. Some others, however, are all but out of the postseason reckoning even now, at the halfway point.

While football is a team sport, sometimes it's important to look at how the divisions themselves stack up against each other. After all, playing in a strong division can make a team's road to the playoffs much tougher. With that in mind, let's take a look at the strongest (and weakest) divisions in the league.

Strongest: AFC North

When the Cincinnati Bengals are bottom, you know the division is stacked. Do we really need to say any more? I mean we will, but that says it all.

This term, all four teams in the division have winning records and it wouldn't be surprising if the AFC North had all of its teams feature in the postseason for the first time ever. The Baltimore Ravens are always a tough out with Lamar Jackson leading the charge and the former Louisville Cardinal is currently playing at a level that saw him win the MVP award back in 2019. His side are top of the pops at present with a 7-2 record, the joint best in the AFC alongside the Chiefs.

The Cleveland Browns have historically been a dreadful side. They have reached the playoffs just three times since 1990 however this season, they have already racked up victories against the Bengals and the 49ers, leaving hopes of a trip to the postseason well and truly alive. The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have got their defense back on track after a couple of lackluster years. The Bengals, meanwhile, have much loftier expectations than just reaching the playoffs.

After reaching the AFC championship game in each of the last two seasons, Joe Burrow is aiming to bring the Lombardi back to Cincy for the first time in franchise history. They started poorly but impressive victories on the road against the 49ers and the Bills have outlined their credentials and the Bovada sportsbook has given them a +1100 shot at winning the Super Bowl this season.

Strongest: NFC East

While the AFC North is aiming to have all four of its teams represent them in the playoffs at the end of the season, the NFC East almost accomplished that feat last term. That division managed to sneak three of its teams through, with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants all impressing. This year, the MetLife Stadium outfit has faltered somewhat, but the other two remain as strong as ever. The Washington Commanders still have postseason aspirations of their own, sitting at 4-5 at present with games against the Giants and the Jets looming on the horizon.

With Dak Prescott back and healthier than ever, the Cowboys will be aiming to put last season's playoff heartache behind them. The team that knocked them out of the playoffs however, namely the Eagles, is without a doubt the league's in-form team. They are currently 8-1 and they hope to gain redemption for their loss to the Chiefs at Super Bowl LVII.

Weakest: NFC South

Coming in hot at number one and without a doubt the weakest division in the entire league is the NFC South. While the division has had a great run of success in recent years -- with all four teams making the playoffs at least once between 2017-2019 -- things have fallen apart in the year since. The New Orleans Saints are the only team with a winning record at present and even that is a slender 5-4. They haven't reached the playoffs since Drew Brees' retirement two years ago and it remains to be seen if the Saints will be able to recover their previous level of success.

Elsewhere, the Buccs have never looked more impotent, and Baker Mayfield is simply unable to match what the recently-retired Tom Brady brought to the table. The Carolina Panthers currently have the worst record in the league with a paltry 1-8, and when you're losing to the Chicago Bears, you know you're bad. And let's not even mention the Falcons. Sure, they've won some games, but they don't stand a chance at threatening for the Lombardi.

Weakest: AFC South

First thing's first, we apologize to Jacksonville Jaguars fans. You actually have a very good team in all fairness and you gave the Chiefs all they could handle in the postseason last year. You will impress once more and will romp to divisional glory at a canter.

The rest of the division, however, is as weak as it gets. The Houston Texans have improved and C.J. Stroud looks like he could be a franchise quarterback for years to come. His performances have helped the Texans to victories over the aforementioned Jaguars, as well as the Falcons and the Buccs. But just because you're the best of a bad bunch doesn't mean you're any good.

Both the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts are also poor, despite the former boasting Derrick Henry on their roster. Both teams have losing records so far and it's only going to get worse before the season is out.