The time has finally arrived. Time for talk and waiting has ended. The 2025 season is here for the National Football League. All thirty two teams are at an even footing, with the end goal the same for all of them. Hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in early February as the champions of the pro football world. So lets not waste any time and dive right into it. Here's how things are going to go down during the 2025 National Football League Season!
There are some familiar faces that will be playing in new places this season. Sam Darnold (Seattle), Russel Wilson (Giants), Justin Fields (Jets), Aaron Rogers (Steelers), Davante Adams (Rams), Najee Harris (Chargers), DeAndre Hopkins (Ravens), Joey Bosa (Bills), DeBoo Samuel (Washington), Geno Smith (Raiders), and Jalen Ramsey (Steelers) are just some of the names that moved teams this offseason.
With that out of the way, lets break it down. Here's how we see this season going down.
NFC:
NFC East:
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-5)*
2. Washington Commanders (10-7) (WC)*
3. Dallas Cowboys (8-9)
4. New York Giants (4-13)
It seems like that its going to be the 2nd year in a row and the 3rd time in the last four years that the Eagles will walk away with this division title, and defend their world championship. With the core group of talent brought back on both sides of the football this season, who's to say that the Eagles don't repeat in this division. This year's going to be a little tougher, dealing with the AFC West and NFC North, along with their own division. But with the talent on this team, despite losing talent on both sides of the football in the offseason, another twelve win season is possible. Right behind them is going to be the Commanders, who are coming off a terrific year last year. The offensive line got a boost in the offseason, adding a guy the talent of Laremy Tunsil, and Deebo Samuel at wide receiver. The talent is there, but they have as tough a schedule as the Eagles. And the big question is can Jayden Daniels repeat what he did in his awesome rookie year or is he going to take a step back? Even if he does, the team is still good enough for ten wins and a wild card. The window is quick closing more and more for the Cowboys. New head coach and new defensive coordinator in Dallas, plus the looming contract issues for Micah Parsons could hang over their heads. Injuries look like they might take their toll on Dallas early on in the season. Sure, they were able to add George Pickens but they aren't the kind of team that is built to win high scoring, shootout type of games. Finally, there's the Giants, who are the hard luck team in this division. Yes, there might be a lot of good, young talent on this Giants team, but with Russel Wilson starting the year under center, it doesn't look good. There might be a chance they go to Jackson Dart during the year, but that won't help. Maybe giving the team with the toughest schedule on the season four wins is giving them too much credit or hope.
NFC North:
1. Green Bay Packers (11-6)*
2. Detroit Lions (10-6) (WC)*
3. Chicago Bears (9-8)
4. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
This is going to be another dogfight at the top of the division for who walks away with the North Crown. Giving the edge out of the North has to go to the Packers. They have given Jordan Love plenty of weapons to work with this season. Love has the option to get the ball to Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave. Now, that receiving core may not set the world on fire on star power, but its a very reliable group and a balanced attack for the Pack to run with. There may be some level of concern with the Green Bay secondary, so that'll be something to keep an eye on as the season goes along. Still, the Packers are good enough this year that they should be able to take the North. Right behind them are going to be the Lions, who still have big expectations on their shoulders. What is going to hold back Detroit this year is the fact that they lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators in the offseason. They also saw the retirement of two of the key members of their offensive line. Lets not get things twisted, there's still plenty of talent on this Detroit club, and it will be enough to get them into the playoffs. But it not just enough there yet to get past Green Bay for the division. A team that's going to be on the rise this season is going to be the Bears, who are looking for their first winning season since 2018. Caleb Williams will improve in his second season under new head coach and play caller Ben Johnson. It will also help keep Williams upright with three new improvements to that offensive line. They might be good enough to just get over .500, but its going to be tough. Why? because the only team with a tougher schedule than Chicago is the Giants. Brining up the rear in the North is going to be the Vikings. There's no doubt you still have one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson in Minnesota. But Sam Darnold isn't there this season, and JJ McCarthey is under center. That's going to leave a lot of questions. There's going to be holes and question marks in Minnesota this year, which is going to see them take a big step back from what they did a season ago.
NFC South:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)*
2. Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
3. Carolina Panthers (7-10)
4. New Orleans Saints (3-14)
There won't be a whole lot of change in this division this season. One thing is for sure, the division title will once again go to the Buccaneers. Sure, they are going to be without Chris Godwin for a little time Tristan Wirfs down as well. So at the start of the year it going to be a rough go to kick the year off. But it makes things easier at the end of the year when you consider that the last six games are against teams that missed the playoffs last year. Also, with the talent that Tampa has on both sides of the football, there's no doubt in my mind that they should be the team to beat at the top of this division. Now is the time for the Falcons to really find out what they have under center from the beginning of the year. Michael Penix Jr will be the go to guy from the beginning of the year, and he showed in the final three games of last season that he can go under center at this level. You got some good talent to run with and catch passes on offense. Atlanta's defense seems average at best from the get go, which is why the Falcons are going to be on the outside looking in. Now a team that's going to be taking a big step in the right direction this year in this division is going to be the Panthers. This year with be a gigantic test for how far along Bryce Young is coming along as a starter in this league. With the team he has around him, he has a chance to at least hit a seven win season if everything falls right and he can find his game. If things go south and fast, so with Carolina. They will be fighting for a top pick again next April if they don't get the play they need from their signal caller. Same thing can be said about the Saints this year as well. You got a new head coach in New Orleans in the form of Kellen Moore. Derek Carr and Tyrann Mathieu both retired. You have to rely on a new gunslinger in Spencer Raattler, who had a rough go of it last year. It going to be a long season in New Orleans. Maybe giving the Saints three wins this season is asking too much for this football team.
NFC West:
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)*
2. Arizona Cardinals (10-7) (WC)*
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-8)
4. Seattle Seahawks (7-10)
It seems like its another season in which the West title goes through the 49ers. It does help your cause this year when you have drawn the easiest schedule in the league, which San Francisco has done. Sure, Deebo was traded, but there's still plenty of offensive weapons for Brock Purdy to get the ball too. Kittle and Aiyuk are great at catching the ball, and there's hope that Christian McCaffery can return to his old form. Things go that way, it could be a very good year out in San Francisco. The team that might be closest to catching them this year is the Cardinals. After missing the playoffs a season ago. Now that Marvin Harrison Jr has a year of service under his belt, he'll be more of an option for Kyler Murray to use in the passing attack, which will be more dangerous than it was a year ago. Him and Zay Jones make for good targets, as does James Connor running the football. What will be of interest is that over the final month and a half of the season will see Arizona play four of six on the road. The other team to finish above .500 in this division will be the Rams. They don't have Cooper Kupp anymore, having replaced him with Davante Adams. Him and Puka Nakua are a solid one two pass catching core for Matthew Stafford to get the ball to. Question is how well are the gun slingers going to be able to get the ball out to those pass catchers. Finally we have the Seahawks rounding things out in the West. Geno Smith, DK Metcaff and Tyler Lockett are all gone. Sam Darnold takes over under center with Cooper Kupp being his primary target. The only thing that could even get Seattle close to the .500 mark for the year is the defense. They are solid, and with a defensive minded head coach, that side of the ball will keep them in most games this year. But what's going to hold them back is the fact the offense seems to have taken a step or two back from what it was just a season ago.
AFC:
AFC East:
1. Buffalo Bills (12-5)*
2. Miami Dolphins (8-9)
3. New York Jets (7-10)
4. New England Patriots (6-11)
As if there was any doubt here that the Bills would be the best team in the AFC East. As long as Josh Allen is still under center in Buffalo, there's a better than even chance that the the AFC East title stays in Western NY. Buffalo has a chance to build its division lead early, with a first half of the schedule against under .500 teams from a season ago (save Baltimore in the opener). Barring any injuries on either side of the football, there's plenty of talent in Buffalo for them to not only roll to a division title, but have an outside shot at another deep playoff run. Right behind them are an underachieving Dolphins team who are a lot closer to taking steps back then they are being a contender. Another classic case of fools gold in Miami. They have a lot of what seem to be winnable games early on in the year. It's the back half of Miami schedule that are going to be really tough. Sure, the Miami offense on paper looks like it could be really really good. It's how well they are going to hold up that's going to be the million dollar question. Now there is some level of optimism with the Jets, but lets be real here, its going to be another season of underachievement and missing the playoffs. Sure, Justin Fields has taken over under center, and he's got weapons in Hall and Wilson on the offensive side of the ball. It's how well can they click. The defense seems like it could be decent. New York has a brutal schedule to contend with this year under new head coach Aaron Glen. Closing things out in this division again will be the Patriots. Under new head coach Mike Vabrel, New England might be able to start taking steps in the right direction to be an improving team. Look, they have a stretch this year where they might be able to hold serve. But the problem is they lack the firepower to really be able to put much on the board. It's going to be a long season in New England.
AFC South:
1. Houston Texans (10-7)*
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
3. Tennessee Titans (5-12)
4. Indianapolis Colts (4-13)
For the third year in a row, the AFC North title will remain with the Texans. C.J. Stroud continues to grow as a leader under center for this team. He's got good weapons He got plenty of weapons to work with and a solid defense on the other side of the football as well. They get off toa rough start but they have the talent to overcome it as the season wears along. Houston should be the one standing alone in this division come seasons end. The only other team in this division that could finish with a winning record this year is going to be the Jaguars. Biggest thing that needs to happen in Jacksonville this year is keep Trevor Lawrence on his feet and healthy. He's got some good weapons in his pass and run game, the line just has to be able to hold up enough to allow the play to develop. They have the pass rushers in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker that could help make this team a dark horse in this division as a challenge for the title. There's only one direction to go from here for the Titans, and that's up. It's not going to happen right away in Tennessee, but the pieces could be in place. It starts with new quarterback in Cam Ward. He's got the tools, lets see if he can put it all together at this level. He's got some good parts to work with in the form of Pollard, Lockett and Ridley. He just needs to be able to produce. Bringing up the rear in this division is the Colts, who are going to hit rock bottom this season. Daniel Jones became the starter in Indy, taking the place of Anthony Richardson from the outset. How long he stays there is to be determined. Facts are Indy is going to be a bad team for some time. It doesn't seem like its going to be getting better any time soon.
AFC North:
1. Baltimore Ravens (14-3)*
2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) (WC)*
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
For the third year in a row, the AFC North title will belong to the Ravens. And why not when you got a guy the talent of Lamar Jackson leading this football team. Derek Henry is back, DeAndre Hopkins signed for a one year deal. Them with Zae Flowers and Mark Andrews make for a pretty balanced attack. They have a stacked defense, one that allowed the fewest yards and touchdowns against a season ago. A nice complement to that high powered offense. This should be easy for Baltimore to grab the division again this year. Right behind them just barely will be the Bengals. Sure there's going to be question marks about the health of Joe Burrow. If he can stay healthy and play the way he's expected to, Cincinnati will be just fine. Joe still has plenty of weapons to hook up with, so putting points on the board shouldn't be too hard in Cincy. The only thing that might hold them back, even slightly, from this win total is how well the defense can hold up. Same thing can be said about the Steelers, just on the other side of the football. The defense in Pittsburgh could be good, like really good, this season. When you add a guy like Jalen Ramsey to the defense, you going to get a lot better. Its the offense that has me slightly worried. Kaleb Johnson is taking over for Najee Harris in the backfield.DK Metcaf is the top target, along with Jonuu Smith. But throwing them the ball is going to be Aaron Rogers. There's no guarantees of what Rogers will be able to do. It will be enough to get them into the playoffs, but its taking a step back from a season ago. Bringing up the rear in this division is going to be the Browns, who will be lucky if they win three games all season. Sure, they got Joe Flacco under center, who somehow still has something left in the tank. He got David Njoku to throw to, along with Jerry Judy. Those two guys can't do it all, and Cleveland doesn't have a run game. Its going to be a long year in Cleveland.
AFC West:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)*
2. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) (WC)*
3. Denver Broncos (10-7) (WC)*
4. Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
Another year, another West title for the Chiefs. Sure, they won't be as good as a season ago, they will likely win three or four fewer games then they did a season ago. But Kansas City is still the class of this division. As long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy, you got a really good shot. You got a ton of talent on the offensive side of the football that could really put points on the board. Defense should do a fine job of shutting down the opposition. There isn't much out there on paper to say that KC won't relinquish the title. Right on their tails this year is going to be the Chargers. Jim Harbaugh took this team to the playoffs a season ago, and they going to be an even bigger threat to the Chiefs this year. The run game got a big improvement drafting Omarion Hampton in the first round. With him and Najee Harris running the ball, they could be good. Same with Ladd McConkey and a returning Keenan Allen catching Herbert passes, this team can put points on the board. Defense is going to be solid this year, so don't be surprised with the Chargers getting back into the playoffs. Another team getting to the playoffs out of the West will be the Broncos. Bo Nix and Sean Peyton will get even better in year two together. Evan Engram joins Cortland Sutton in the top pass catchers for Bo this year. They got a balanced offensive attack in Denver and a good line to allow it to get the time it needs to go to work. The defense will do a decent job keeping the opposition off the board and get back into the playoffs this season. Bringing up the rear in the West will be the Raiders. Sure they got a decent signal caller in Geno Smith and snagged a good running back in Ashton Jeanty high in the draft. The offense can put some points on the board in Vegas. Problem is, they may have a little trouble keeping the opposition off the board. Defense could be spotty at best.
Super Bowl: Ravens and Packers
