Welcome again, soccer.
The NFL season kicks off Thursday night time with the reigning champion Eagles internet hosting the Cowboys in primetime. Three days later, the Patriots will kick off the Mike Vrabel period at residence in opposition to Las Vegas.
After that, it’s anybody’s guess.
Will the Patriots make a shock playoff run?
Are the Eagles going to repeat?
Who will win MVP?
The Herald’s Patriots beat writers make their 2025 NFL predictions.
AFC East
Payments: There’s Buffalo, after which there’s everybody else. The Payments have gained this division yearly since 2020, and barring a catastrophic harm, that gained’t change this season. The Patriots are nonetheless a yr or two away from reclaiming their previous crown. — Callahan
Payments: The division belongs to Josh Allen. The most important query right here is whether or not the Payments could make it to the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time in over 30 years. – Kyed
AFC North
Ravens: Essentially the most gifted staff within the AFC isn’t shedding its division. Baltimore is without doubt one of the few groups within the league that might area a top-5 offense and protection this season, and that shall be greater than sufficient to deal with the Browns, 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and the Bengals whose protection, once more, initiatives to be among the many worst in soccer. — Callahan
Ravens: The Bengals ought to make a push, however their protection was atrocious final season, they usually didn’t make sufficient upgrades in free company. Plus, edge rusher Sam Hubbard retired. – Kyed
AFC South
Texans: No different staff within the South is able to problem Houston. Straightforward name. — Callahan
Texans: Anticipate a bounce-back season from C.J. Stroud. He took a step again in 2024 after a rookie of the yr efficiency in 2023. – Kyed
AFC West
Broncos: Sooner or later, Kansas Metropolis pays a worth for thus many consecutive playoff runs. The wager right here is that occurs in 2025, with both Denver or the Chargers leaping them within the standings. The Broncos get the nod, because of their protection (one of the best unit within the division) and Bo Nix’s Yr 2 leap in a Sean Payton-run offense. — Callahan
Chiefs: The AFC West ought to be robust this season, however Andy Reid has gained 9 consecutive divisional titles. Till Reid and Mahomes falter, we’ll preserve betting on one of the best present head coach-quarterback mixture within the NFL. – Kyed
AFC Wild Card
Chiefs, Chargers, Patriots: The Chiefs aren’t lacking the playoffs, Los Angeles is just too well-coached to overlook the playoffs with Justin Herbert nonetheless at quarterback, and have a look at Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye! The Patriots end 9-8, because of a house win over Miami of their season finale and that’s sufficient to place them in over fellow playoff hopefuls Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. — Callahan
Bengals, Chargers, Broncos: It might be enjoyable to see the Patriots make a playoff push in 2025, nevertheless it appears one yr too quickly. The Patriots made main upgrades, however they nonetheless appear a yr away from really contending. The Bengals, Chargers and Broncos are extra able to compete proper now. – Kyed
NFC East
Eagles: Saquon Barkley and Co. aren’t going wherever anytime quickly. Just like the Ravens, the Eagles are one of many few groups with elite potential on each aspect of the ball. With Washington more likely to expertise some regression, Philly is a simple choose. — Callahan
Commanders: The Eagles are the favorites, however Tremendous Bowl hangovers are actual. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders are able to contend for a Tremendous Bowl, which is why it was so sensible for them to re-sign Terry McLaurin. – Kyed
NFC North
Packers: Including Micah Parsons pushed Inexperienced Bay excessive on this division, in accordance with the oddsmakers, they usually’re proper. The Packers don’t have a single evident weak spot on their roster. There’s sufficient star energy right here to supercharge a Tremendous Bowl run. Rely on it. — Callahan
Packers: The Packers proved they’re all in after they traded two first-round picks and Kenny Clark for Parsons. The Lions have some holes on their roster, most notably at cross rusher reverse Aidan Hutchinson. – Kyed
NFC South
Falcons: The Bucs are extra gifted, extra balanced and but … their time has handed. Michael Penix Jr. will lead an Atlanta staff with sufficient blue-chip gamers to steal a division title. — Callahan
Buccaneers: That is most likely the worst division within the NFL. Anticipate some rising pains from the Falcons and Penix Jr. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has a formidable arsenal of large receivers and a prime younger working again in Bucky Irving. – Kyed
NFC West
Cardinals: The trendiest preseason choose is a great one. Arizona seizes on an NFC West the place each different staff has huge questions and continues its rise underneath third-year head coach Jonathan Gannon. — Callahan
Seahawks: This ought to be a good race between all 4 NFC West groups. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has nobody to throw to this season, we don’t belief Matthew Stafford’s harm scenario in Los Angeles, and the Cardinals aren’t gifted sufficient to make a push. The Seahawks’ success depends on quarterback Sam Darnold, however Klint Kubiak is an efficient offensive coordinator. – Kyed
NFC Wild Card
Lions, Vikings, Buccaneers: For a second straight yr, three NFC North groups make the minimize, and the Buccaneers be part of them. The Commanders and Rams each take a step again, notably with Stafford’s well being already threatening to derail LA’s season. — Callahan
Eagles, Lions, Rams: The NFC, outdoors of the South, is a tricky convention. The Eagles, Lions and Rams promise to make issues fascinating within the postseason. – Kyed
Tremendous Bowl matchup
Ravens over Packers: Baltimore lastly takes one other flip with the Lombardi. There are any variety of groups who may win the title this yr — Kansas Metropolis, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Detroit and Inexperienced Bay — however the Ravens are prepared after repeatedly falling brief within the Lamar Jackson period. — Callahan
Chiefs over Commanders: We’re banking on huge issues from Daniels and the Commanders. If Daniels can enhance on his efficiency from his rookie season, then the Commanders ought to go deep into the playoffs. The Payments and Ravens shall be robust to beat this season, however they should show they will get previous the Chiefs. Till then, we’ve got Mahomes and the Chiefs persevering with to advance. – Kyed
MVP
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson: Sure, a 3rd MVP award for Jackson, who had a greater statistical case than final yr’s winner, Josh Allen. Jackson is within the prime of his profession and too harmful to not take residence extra {hardware}. — Callahan
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: Daniels proves final season wasn’t a fluke whereas bettering his passing and speeding manufacturing. – Kyed
Offensive Participant of the Yr
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb: Enjoying reverse George Pickens ought to free Lamb up like by no means earlier than. And now that Dallas is down Parsons, their protection ought to put Dak Prescott in loads of shootouts, which implies most targets for Lamb and a document season. — Callahan
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase: No accidents. No contract points. With no drama and Tee Higgins persevering with to play throughout the sector, Chase may eclipse 2,000 yards receiving. – Kyed
Defensive Participant of the Yr
Packers DE Micah Parsons: Parsons obtained his cash, however ought to nonetheless play with an additional chip on his shoulder after getting traded. As long as Inexperienced Bay is enjoying from forward, he ought to anticipate to set a brand new profession greatest for sacks in a season. — Callahan
Packers DE Micah Parsons: The previous Cowboys cross rusher proves he was definitely worth the Packers’ excessive worth to amass him. – Kyed
Coach of the Yr
Mike Vrabel: The Patriots make the playoffs after 4 shedding seasons in 5 years and back-to-back 4-13 campaigns. Sufficient stated. — Callahan
Mike Macdonald: If the Seahawks can win the NFC West over the Rams, 49ers and Cardinals, then Macdonald, a improbable defensive coach, deserves this award. – Kyed
Comeback Participant of the Yr
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: Prescott returns after a season-ending hamstring harm final yr and performs a full season. He and Aidan Hutchinson are tied for one of the best odds for this award, and the quarterback for America’s Group will get the nod. — Callahan
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson: I thought of Hutchinson for Defensive Participant of the Yr, however he doesn’t actually have anybody speeding throughout from him, permitting opposing groups to provide him extra consideration. Nonetheless, he’s an uber-productive cross rusher who may have one other stellar season if he can keep wholesome. – Kyed
