Sure, most prognosticators project the 2019 NFL division winners by considering players, coaching, and schedule strength. However, why not make predictions based on something that matters to travelers— the best cities to visit for game weekend? We rated teams on a seven-category scale, and these eight emerged triumphant.
Who will win the NFC East in 2019?
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia boasts history (hello, Benjamin Franklin Museum) and a recent Super Bowl championship.
Affordability: Philly costs less than rivals Washington, D.C., and New York.
Hotels: The Rittenhouse Hotel has ambiance, while Logan Philadelphia sits close to city center.
Traveling into: Convenient airport, bus, and train stations make long-distance travel a breeze.
Traveling around: Philly’s main cultural attractions lie close together and are walkable.
Stadium: Located off I-95, Lincoln Financial Field has parking galore, as well as subway and bus stops.
Food: Order hummus at Zahav. For lunch, hit High Street on Market for a sandwich.
Weather: Brisk but not biting. Perfect football weather.
Who will win the NFC North in 2019?
Green Bay Packers
With more than a dozen previous division titles, give Green Bay the edge.
Affordability: Navigate Green Bay for less than $100 a day, cheaper than division rival Chicago.
Hotels: Packer fan photos line the walls of the sports bar at Hotel Northland, Autograph Collection, while Astor House is near the National Railroad Museum.
Traveling into: Catch a cheap flight into Chicago, then rent a car and drive north.
Traveling around: That rental car will prove useful navigating town.
Stadium: Lambeau Field traffic gets bad on game days, and I-41 backs up worse than I-43.
Food: Cannery Public Market serves delicious local farm-to-table favorites.
Weather: NFC North cities are frigid. Pack long underwear.
Who will win the NFC South in 2019?
New Orleans Saints
Last year the Saints dominated. No-brainer: New Orleans will repeat.
Affordability: More expensive than rival Atlanta, but so much fun.
Hotels: Splurge at Roosevelt New Orleans. Save at Bywater Bed & Breakfast.
Traveling into: Cheap flights enter the Big Easy from every major airport.
Traveling around: Hop on a charming streetcar downtown.
Stadium: The upcoming Mercedes-Benz Superdome renovation may reduce its already-limited parking. Use buses or streetcars instead of driving.
Food: Buy beignets at Cafe du Monde and indulge in tastes of the South at Boucherie.
Weather: Hot, hot, hot. Pack lightly.
Who will win the NFC West in 2019?
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle has Russell Wilson and the Space Needle. Seattle is cool.
Affordability: Seattle requires a modest budget.
Hotels: Bringing a pooch? Hotel Vintage Park has pet sitting, while Loews Hotel 1000, Seattle, gives Rover a bed.
Traveling into: Sea-Tac Airport is easily accessible, but for a real treat, ride the ferry from Vancouver.
Traveling around: Avoid traffic by walking or taking a bus or water taxi.
Stadium: CenturyLink Field provides more parking than several NFC West foes and offers bike racks and electric charging stations.
Food: Find a restaurant for every palate at Pike Place Market.
Weather: Pleasant, but pack an umbrella.
Who will win the AFC East in 2019?
New England Patriots
Always a safe bet, Boston’s team has won every division title since 2009.
Affordability: Travel for an impressive $100 per day.
Hotels: Sleep in a former jail at Liberty Hotel, or enjoy the free parking (really!) at Harding House.
Traveling into: Arrive by plane (through Logan Airport) or train (through South Station).
Traveling around: The T goes everywhere.
Stadium: Drive the 50 minutes from Boston to Gillette Stadium or ride the MBTA’s Patriot Train.
Food: When in Boston, eat seafood, preferably at Eventide Fenway or Neptune Oyster.
Weather: Seasonable until December, when temps dip to the 20s.
Who will win the AFC North in 2019?
Cleveland Browns
Come season’s end, Cleveland, home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will rock for another reason.
Affordability: Daily costs are lower than in most cities in the NFL.
Hotels: Love funky art? Choose Kimpton Schofield Hotel. Want to walk to the HoF? Try Stone Gables Bed and Breakfast.
Traveling into: Fly into Cleveland Hopkins International.
Traveling around: The rail system hits the city’s highlights.
Stadium: Approach FirstEnergy Stadium via West 25th Street from the west or Superior Avenue from the east. Secure parking in advance through Parkmobile.
Food: Grab dinner at Little Italy’s Nora, then try craft-brew beer donuts at Brewnuts— quintessential Cleveland.
Weather: Cool by December but not freezing.
Who will win the AFC South in 2019?
Indianapolis Colts
There are lots of questions surrounding the Colts this season, but one thing is for certain—the city of Indianapolis is a great destination for a football weekend.
Affordability: Love those low Midwest prices.
Hotels: Reserve a third-floor loft at quirky Stone Soup Inn, or experience patio life at Hotel Broad Ripple.
Traveling into: Indy’s airport recently added more West Coast flights, but driving works too—Indianapolis perches between three major highways.
Traveling around: Rent scooters to traverse the city.
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium parking is limited. Fortunately, the Go Green Shuttle ferries hotel guests to games.
Food: Milktooth puts a fresh spin on breakfast foods. For dinner, taste regional favorites at Tinker Street.
Weather: The stadium has a dome, so games stay toasty in winter.
Who will win the AFC West in 2019?
Los Angeles Chargers
The division’s best climate makes it the top place to visit.
Affordability: On the higher end of the budget.
Hotels: Petit Ermitage posts art collections in the hallways. Have kids? They’ll love Mama Shelter’s foosball table in the lobby.
Traveling into: Come by air, boat, or bus—Los Angeles is a transportation hub.
Traveling around: Avoid the legendarily bad traffic by taking the subway.
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park gives way to a state-of-the-art shared stadium with the LA Rams in 2020. Bus transport is available on game day.
Food: In LA, stars are everywhere: Otium’s chef recently won Netflix’s cooking competition The Final Table.
Weather: Beautiful year-round, with almost no chance of rain.
