The Earvin Edit

The 2025 NFL season is about to kick off, and teams have made adjustments with their sights set on the Lombardi Trophy. Let’s predict how each division will play out this year.

Written by Earvin Adjei

The season begins in less than 24 hours, so let’s make a last-minute prediction for every team in 2025. Which team will rise from worst to first? Which team will face a decline? Let’s take a closer look.

The NFC North

It’s hard not to pick the Packers to win the NFC North following their blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons. An already playoff-caliber team has just added one of the league’s best pass rushers, which could be the move that puts them over the edge. The Lions, who have won the division two out of the last three years, have some questions heading into the season. While Detroit should still be a formidable force in the NFC, losing both its offensive and defensive coordinators is a significant setback. In addition to the departures of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, the Lions also faced major losses on their interior offensive line due to the retirement of center Frank Ragnow and the free-agent departure of guard Kevin Zeitler. Despite these challenges, Detroit should remain a playoff contender and one of the best teams in the conference. As for the bottom two teams in the division, both have multiple questions that need to be addressed. The Bears managed to poach offensive guru Ben Johnson away from the Lions, making him their head coach while also making essential upgrades to their offensive line. However, questions surrounding quarterback Caleb Williams remain. Can he play within structure? Is he a franchise quarterback? Can he handle the pressure? Only time will tell. On the other hand, the Vikings face similar uncertainties regarding their quarterback situation. After missing his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, J.J. McCarthy is set to take on the starting role in 2025. Following an injury in 2024, Sam Darnold took over as the starter and had a career year while playing in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. The Vikings boast one of the best rosters not only in the division but in the entire NFC, yet the uncertainty surrounding J.J. McCarthy is hard to overlook. There is currently no way to know if McCarthy can be a competent NFL quarterback or if he can lead a team with high expectations to the playoffs in what will essentially be his rookie season.

The NFC East

For the first time since 2004, an NFC East team will be crowned the division winner for a second consecutive year. While other teams in the division have experienced significant changes, the Eagles remained consistent by retaining much of their Super Bowl roster. Although there have been some departures, such as the trade of C. J. Gardner-Johnson and the loss of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, these changes aren’t enough to undermine confidence in the defending champions. Once again, the Commanders are right behind the Eagles in the division. Despite making solid additions to their roster, including receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil, I believe they will take a step back this year. Defenses now have a year’s worth of game tape on Jayden Daniels, and aside from the quarterback position, the roster is aging. Veteran players such as Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, and new addition Von Miller are all over the age of 33. The Commanders should remain competitive, but don’t expect another deep playoff run like we saw last season. I foresee an improving Giants squad finishing third in the division. They added Abdul Carter in the draft, which further strengthens an already impressive defensive line featuring Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. However, the biggest hurdle for the Giants is their quarterback situation. The quarterback position is the most crucial in the sport, and the Giants have too many uncertainties. Their QB room includes veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, as well as rookie Jaxson Dart. Currently, Wilson is set as the team’s starting quarterback, but it’s uncertain whether he can maintain that role throughout the season or if either Dart or Winston will take over. This may come as a surprise to some, but I have the Cowboys finishing last in the division. Although Dak Prescott is returning from injury, and the team has historically performed well with him at the helm, there are numerous issues with both the roster and the front office. Dallas had a tumultuous offseason that began with the firing of head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy had a regular-season record of 49-35 and a playoff record of 1-3. From 2021 to 2023, he led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-5 seasons, but after a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2024, the team decided to move on. To replace McCarthy, Dallas hired Brian Schottenheimer, who has extensive NFL experience as an offensive coordinator and consultant. He has previously worked within the Cowboys organization but has never held a head coach position. Taking over the Dallas Cowboys as a first-time head coach is a challenging task, especially following McCarthy, who had a successful tenure in Dallas outside of the playoffs, which will place even greater scrutiny on Schottenheimer’s coaching tenure. To top off Dallas’s disastrous offseason, owner Jerry Jones was involved in a messy contract dispute with star defensive end Micah Parsons. Negotiations broke down due to disagreements over the length and structure of Parsons’s deal. After a meeting in March between Parsons and Jones, Jones believed a handshake agreement was reached, while Parsons and his agent only saw it as a discussion. The absence of an agent in the negotiations and the team’s reluctance to include guarantees and structure soured Parsons and his agent on remaining in Dallas, culminating in Parsons requesting a trade. He was eventually traded to the Packers, who gave him a record-breaking four-year deal worth $188 million. With an already questionable Dallas defense now weakened, it falls to Dak Prescott and the offense to win in shootouts, similar to how the Bengals did in 2024. Given the turmoil surrounding the Cowboys’ offseason, it’s easy to see them having a disappointing year.

The NFC South

Outside of Tampa Bay, there isn’t much to expect from any of the teams in what appears to be one of the league’s weakest divisions. The Buccaneers will likely lead the pack after making some sneaky good acquisitions in the offseason. Tampa Bay focused on re-signing key players and adding talent through free agency and the draft. This was evident in their decisions to re-sign Baker Mayfield, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Lavonte David, acquire Haason Reddick in free agency, and draft Emeka Egbuka in the first round. These moves have positioned the Buccaneers to potentially win the division again while also establishing themselves as a sleeper threat in the NFC. As for the rest of the division, there’s not much to be excited about. Atlanta looks to be the runner-up with Michael Penix as the full-time starter, while veteran Kirk Cousins looms in the background. Will Penix show us why Atlanta selected him in the 2024 NFL Draft? It’s possible, but it’s hard to say for sure. Raheem Morris still has a lot to prove as a head coach, and he could find himself on the hot seat if the Falcons start poorly. For the bottom two teams, Carolina and New Orleans, there’s not much optimism. Bryce Young showed some promise at the end of last season, finally looking like a competent NFL quarterback, and maybe the Panthers can build on that momentum. They made solid additions to the receiver position by drafting Tetairoa McMillan and signing Hunter Renfrow, but I still don’t expect much from them. As for the Saints, I anticipate they will be one of the worst teams in the league. The hiring of former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is a positive step, but I’m not convinced it will make a significant difference. The quarterback situation remains unresolved, and it’s uncertain whether Spencer Rattler is the solution, especially since he’s not Kellen Moore’s guy. The rookie Tyler Shough could emerge, but I doubt it. Shough was selected with the 40th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which raised eyebrows given he is an older rookie at 25 years old, and there were numerous better quarterback prospects available. Overall, this division is weak, and the Buccaneers should win it easily. But who knows? Maybe Atlanta or Carolina will surprise everyone and become competitive.

The NFC West

In stark contrast to the NFC South, the NFC West is an extremely competitive division and is by far the hardest to predict. Someone has to finish last, and the team I see taking that spot is the Arizona Cardinals. Although Arizona has signed notable free agents like defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson and linebacker Josh Sweat, and has shown improvement each season under head coach Jonathan Gannon, there are still too many questions surrounding the offense, particularly about quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray is entering his seventh season and has yet to live up to the expectations that came when selected with the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. The Cardinals tend to start strong each season, but Murray often struggles during the latter parts of the season, which derails any playoff hopes the team may have. If this trend continues, not only do I expect the Cardinals to finish last in the division, but they may also part ways with Murray. Finishing in third place is the Seattle Seahawks, a team I believe many people are underestimating heading into this season. In head coach Mike Macdonald’s rookie season, the team finished with an impressive 10-7 record but missed out on the playoffs. During the offseason, Seattle made significant roster changes, trading away starting quarterback Geno Smith and Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf for draft picks. They added quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Cooper Kupp to lead the offense. Key players like linebacker Ernest Jones IV were re-signed, while others, including defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and outside linebacker Chazz Surratt, were added through free agency and waivers. The coaching staff also underwent significant changes with the hiring of Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator. I view Darnold as a small upgrade over Smith, and players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba are likely to improve in a new offensive scheme. The only factor preventing the Seahawks from finishing higher in the division is the sheer competitiveness of the two teams ahead of them. The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a Super Bowl hangover season and are poised for a rebound. They have the league’s easiest schedule and will see star running back Christian McCaffrey make a full return. However, there are concerns about the team heading into 2025 that prevent them from sitting atop the division. The 49ers’ offseason was marked by three major events: the return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the re-signing of their franchise quarterback, Brock Purdy, and the departure of several key players. San Francisco released players like Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd to create salary cap space, and they also let free agents Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Charvarius Ward walk. To address these losses on the defensive side, the 49ers drafted several talented defensive players with their first five picks: defensive ends Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West, along with linebacker Nick Martin. They then rounded out their draft with selections of defensive backs Marques Sigle and Upton Stout. These moves, combined with Saleh’s energetic coaching style, aim to restore the team’s fierce defensive identity. However, the defense is now much younger and sure to experience growing pains that could cost them games. The receiving corps is also lackluster; Brandon Aiyuk is unlikely to return until Week 6, leaving Juan Jennings as the primary receiver. Jennings missed training camp due to a combination of a calf injury and a contract dispute, which also acted as an unofficial holdout while he sought a new contract or a trade. Although Jennings is a valuable third-down target and red zone weapon, he is not a true number one receiver. Behind Jennings is sophomore Ricky Pearsall, whose talent is still largely unknown. The Niners made a trade to acquire Chiefs receiver Sky Moore, but his impact appears minimal. At least they still have George Kittle, who could see a significant role in the passing game. Another concern for the 49ers is kicker Jake Moody, whom they controversially drafted in the third round of the 2023 draft. He has struggled with routine field goals in the past, costing the team games. There’s little reason to believe that will change in 2025. If it weren’t for the Niners’ favorable schedule, I could see them missing the playoffs, but their easy schedule makes it hard to envision that happening. At the top of the NFC West, I expect the Los Angeles Rams to emerge as strong contenders for the Super Bowl, assuming they can avoid injuries. The team pushed the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles to the limit in the divisional round and improved by adding wide receiver Davante Adams and defensive tackle Poona Ford. The addition of Adams is particularly explosive because he will serve as a formidable number two receiver alongside Puka Nacua, who is expected to take on the number one role. This dynamic will force defenses to game-plan against an offense that includes a former All-Pro as the number two receiver and a running back in Kyren Williams, who was excellent last season. Barring injury, the Rams are set to contend for a top spot in the NFC and challenge for the Lombardi Trophy this season. Their defense is young and improving, and Sean McVay’s offense added a shiny new toy.

The AFC North

Moving on to the AFC, starting with the North division, it appears we may see a repeat of last year, albeit with two teams swapping positions. At the top are the Ravens, who have retained the majority of their core while also adding veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins and cornerback Jaire Alexander. At this stage in his career, Hopkins is expected to serve primarily as a depth piece at receiver, while Alexander represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition. When healthy, he is one of the top cornerbacks in the league, but his health remains a concern; he has played in only 14 of the possible 34 games over the last two seasons. Despite this, Baltimore boasts one of the most complete rosters in the league and is sure to be among the favorites in the AFC. The key question is whether Lamar Jackson can deliver during the postseason. In second place, I have the Bengals, who are swapping positions with the Steelers, last season’s runners-up. Cincinnati has historically started the season slowly under Joe Burrow, but I anticipate that will change this year. After a disappointing season in which they missed the playoffs, I believe the Bengals will approach this season with a sense of urgency and sharpness, allowing for a better start than they’ve had in recent years. The Bengals’ defense remains a major question mark, and their performance in the preseason was concerning. However, it’s hard to imagine them squandering another MVP-caliber season from Joe Burrow and a productive year from Ja’Marr Chase, which is why I see the Bengals finishing above the Steelers. This season may mark the first time we see Mike Tomlin finish with a losing record. Although the offseason saw the Steelers add big names such as Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey, I am less than inspired by these acquisitions aside from Metcalf. At 41 years old, Aaron Rodgers is entering what could be his final NFL season. While he should be motivated to prove himself after a disappointing tenure with the Jets, the Steelers’ offensive line is mediocre at best, and the weapons surrounding Metcalf are questionable. Rodgers can no longer be expected to carry an offense as he once did, and he will need to rely on the run game and defense. It’s uncertain whether Cam Heyward will play in Week 1, and a holdout from a star player is rarely a good sign. Tomlin may prove me wrong and lead the team to another winning season, but I’m betting against that, placing them third in the division. Lastly, we have the Cleveland Browns. There isn’t much to say about the Browns, as they clearly find themselves in a rebuild and lack talent outside of Myles Garrett. Their quarterback situation is a chaotic mess. At one point during the offseason, the Browns had four quarterbacks, and that doesn’t even include Deshaun Watson. Currently, the starter is veteran Joe Flacco, with two rookies, Dillon Gabriel and celebrity fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, also vying for playing time. This creates an unnecessary backup quarterback controversy for a team that always seems to be involved in some sort of drama. Given all these factors, it’s easy to see why the Browns are the clear choice to finish last in the AFC North.

The AFC East

Similar to the way the Patriots dominated the division during their dynasty, the Buffalo Bills are on a similar trajectory. They have won the division for five consecutive seasons, and I expect that streak to continue. Buffalo has focused on retaining their foundational players, extending contracts for linebacker Terrel Bernard and defensive end Greg Rousseau. Additionally, they have bolstered their roster by signing five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa and reuniting with wide receiver Gabe Davis, a former fan favorite who is returning to the team on the practice squad as he recovers from an injury. The Bills are the cream of the crop in the AFC East and look to be a contender to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The rest of the division appears to be up for grabs, but I see the Patriots making a surprising leap this season to secure the second spot. A significant factor in the Patriots’ rise is the hiring of head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel, a former Patriot and member of the team’s Hall of Fame, served as the Titans’ head coach from 2018 to 2023. During his tenure in Tennessee, the Titans had a winning record in four of six seasons, earned the #1 seed in 2021, and made the AFC Championship Game in 2019. When the Titans moved on from him, it made perfect sense for the Patriots to bring him on board to fill their head coaching vacancy. Vrabel will instill a tough, winning culture that this young Patriots team will undoubtedly embrace. Moreover, New England has made significant moves to support their young quarterback, Drake Maye. The team strengthened its offense by re-hiring longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and solidifying their offensive line by selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell with the 4th overall pick in the draft. In the second round, they secured Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, who is expected to contribute to both the passing and running game. To top it all off, the team signed veteran receiver Stefon Diggs to a three-year deal. Overall, these moves indicate that New England is serious about competing in 2025 and will undoubtedly perform better than in previous seasons. Finishing third in the division are the New York Jets. After firing Robert Saleh, they ended the season with Jeff Ulbrich as the interim head coach before hiring Aaron Glenn in the offseason. In a bold decision aimed at establishing a new culture, Glenn chose to part ways with Aaron Rodgers. The replacement for Rodgers is Justin Fields, who has not yet lived up to the expectations of being a quarterback selected in the first round of the draft. However, he might find new life in New York. Fields did not receive a fair opportunity in Pittsburgh last season, where his starting spot was taken by Russell Wilson, even after he led the team to a 4-2 record. Although Fields secured victories, his performance left much to be desired. Fields did not demonstrate consistency as a passer and was more of a rushing threat. I do not expect significant changes with the Fields and the Jets offense, given that Aaron Glenn is a defensive-minded coach who will likely focus on winning through a strong running game and defense. Therefore, I anticipate a slight improvement for the Jets, but unfortunately, they will still miss the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season, extending the longest active playoff drought in the NFL and across major North American professional sports. Finishing last may come as a surprise to some, but I predict the Miami Dolphins will be at the bottom of the division. Culture is a crucial component of a winning team, and currently, that culture appears to be lacking in Miami. Head coach Mike McDaniel is under significant pressure, and the team’s vibe heading into the season feels off. Last year, doubts arose about whether McDaniel was the right man to lead the team. While he excelled as an offensive coordinator, he has struggled a bit as a head coach. Former players have described the team as soft both mentally and physically. Adding to the turmoil, the team appears to have a strained relationship with star receiver Tyreek Hill. In his exit interview for the 2024 season, Hill expressed frustration, stating, “I’m out, bruh. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I have to do what’s best for my career.” With a questionable culture, an uncertain head coach, and a star player airing his grievances, the Dolphins seem poised for disaster and are likely to finish last in the division for the 2025 season.

The AFC South

AFC South: One of the league’s weaker divisions has been decided rather handily. The Texans have won the division for the past two years, and there’s little reason to believe that won’t be the case in 2025. In the offseason, Houston made some minor moves, including acquiring wide receiver Christian Kirk and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson via trade, while trading away left tackle Laremy Tunsil. After the 2024 season, during which quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times—the second-most in the league—the Texans added to their offensive line by signing offensive linemen Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson, as well as trading for guard Ed Ingram. While these moves may not be jaw-dropping, the division is weak, and Houston remains the best team in the South. Following Houston is Jacksonville. Many people are optimistic about the Jaguars this year due to their decision to trade up in the draft and select two-way superstar and Heisman winner Travis Hunter. It remains unclear how much time Hunter will spend on each side of the ball, but his impact is something to be excited about. Additionally, the Jaguars hired new head coach Liam Cohen, who has been credited with reviving Baker Mayfield’s career in Tampa Bay. There is hope that Cohen can do the same for Trevor Lawrence, but only time will tell. Aside from hiring Cohen and drafting Travis Hunter, Jacksonville didn’t make other significant moves. The team is expected to see a slight improvement in their record, but not enough to make a major impact in the AFC. Unless Trevor Lawrence steps up in what is sure to be a make-or-break year, I predict Jacksonville improving slightly but still finishing with a losing record. The Indianapolis Colts come in at third in the division. They had an intriguing offseason, making some promising acquisitions such as signing veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward and drafting tight end Tyler Warren. However, their success hinges on solidifying the quarterback position. The Colts signed Daniel Jones to a one-year contract worth $14 million in March, which surprised many since that amount suggests he is a starter and the team already had Anthony Richardson, who was seen as the franchise QB. Jones and Richardson engaged in a quarterback battle during training camp, with Jones ultimately winning the job. This decision seems to signal that the Colts have given up on Richardson just two years after selecting him fourth overall in the draft. Relying on Daniel Jones as the successor raises concerns. He was mediocre at best as the Giants’ QB, and I don’t expect that to change. A quarterback controversy is often a recipe for disaster, creating pressure for whoever starts. If Jones performs poorly, the Colts may have to pivot back to Richardson, and if Richardson doesn’t show signs of improvement, they’ll be in a tough spot. This messy situation is the primary reason I see the team finishing third in the division. Finishing last will likely be the Titans. Tennessee’s most significant move in the offseason was drafting quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick, a decision that should secure their QB position for years to come. Beyond that, the Titans didn’t make many moves, but that’s acceptable given that this season is primarily about development. The main focus should be on developing Cam Ward. We’ve seen many rookie quarterbacks thrown to the wolves in their first seasons, and the Titans should do everything possible to avoid that. As long as Ward performs well and the offensive line protects him, the season can be considered a success, even if they finish last in the division.

The AFC West

The AFC West has been the Chiefs’ division to lose for quite some time, as they have won it for nine consecutive seasons. However, I foresee that streak coming to an end in 2025. While the division has been fairly easy for the Chiefs, each team has made significant improvements, particularly the team I believe will take over the throne: the Denver Broncos. The Broncos already had a formidable defense, and they further strengthened it in the offseason by adding two standout defensive players from the 49ers, Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. With a defense that was already among the best in the league last season, featuring stars like Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto, the Broncos are now even better. Additionally, Bo Nix is entering his second year under Sean Payton’s system, which should lead to further improvement. I predict the Broncos will surpass the Chiefs for the top spot in the division. Last season, Denver already posed challenges for Kansas City, and with their recent upgrades, they are in an even stronger position to dethrone the reigning AFC West champions. I expect the Chiefs to come in just behind the Broncos for the division crown, but that doesn’t mean I have lost faith in them. Despite an embarrassing performance in the Super Bowl, there’s no doubt Kansas City will remain a contender in the AFC. However, the division has improved considerably, and the Chiefs have some concerns to address. There were issues with their offensive line, which they attempted to solve by trading veteran guard Joe Thuney and replacing him with Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons. The receiving corps is also a concern, as they lack depth and have not been very productive in the running game. Rashee Rice is dealing with a serious knee injury and will miss the first six games of the season due to suspension, leaving Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and Marquise Brown as the primary pass catchers. Kelce appears to be past his prime, Worthy is primarily a gadget player, and Brown has struggled with health issues in recent years. In terms of running backs, Kansas City will likely go with a committee approach again this season. They are banking on Isaiah Pacheco, who missed most of last year due to injury, a 30-year-old Kareem Hunt, and Elijah Mitchell, who has also had health issues and did not see much playing time in his final years with the 49ers. The Chiefs face rising questions while the Broncos have found answers, which is why I have the Chiefs finishing behind them. Coming in third in the division are the Los Angeles Chargers, who could easily overtake the Chiefs for the second spot. However, the season-ending injury to Rashawn Slater held me back from making that prediction. The star left tackle suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee during practice, a significant blow for the Chargers, as he protects Justin Herbert’s blind side and plays a crucial role in what the team does on offense. Despite the Slater injury, the Chargers have made slight improvements, particularly on offense. They improved their skill positions and o-line in free agency and the draft by signing running back Najee Harris, offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, and wide receiver Mike Williams, in addition to drafting running back Omarion Hampton, wide receiver Tre Harris, and tight end Oronde Gadsden II. They also added tight end Tyler Conklin and re-signed center Bradley Bozeman. Under Jim Harbaugh in their second year, the Chargers will certainly be a formidable foe in the AFC. Finally, I have the Las Vegas Raiders finishing last in the division. The Raiders have made efforts to improve their culture by giving Tom Brady a minority stake in the team and bringing him on as a resource for football decisions, hiring Super Bowl champion Pete Carroll as head coach, and trading for quarterback Geno Smith. Despite these moves, I still don’t view the Raiders as a great team. While Geno is an upgrade over the mess they had at quarterback last year, he is not an elite player and doesn’t drastically change the team’s outlook. With Carroll comes Chip Kelly, who will serve as the offensive coordinator and brings NFL experience. Vegas drafted running back Ashton Jeanty in the sixth round and has Brock Bowers entering his second year, making their offense look more dynamic. However, they remain weak on defense, with Maxx Crosby as their only notable player. That’s why I see the Raiders finishing last in the division. They may be more competitive, but I don’t believe they’ll contend for the Super Bowl. They could potentially compete for a playoff spot, but their defensive weaknesses will make that a challenge.