Many of the final decade of NFL soccer has been dominated by passing offense. The most effective quarterbacks and huge receivers have usually led their groups to probably the most success lately. Within the course of, working again contracts started to shrink as some NFL groups adopted the philosophy that an elite RB gained’t present way more over a alternative stage RB. Nonetheless, final season we noticed the return of the elite working again. Whether or not it’s Saquon Barkley’s 2,000 yard season, Derrick Henry’s greatest yr since he hit 2K in 2020, or the Lions’ dynamic duo higher generally known as Sonic and Knuckles, massive title working backs performed a significant function within the 2024 season. It’s confirmed that RBs of a sure expertise stage are price spending elite capital on, and it’s a development I anticipate to proceed into the 2025 season. How will the remainder of the NFL shake up? Hold studying under to see my predictions.
AFC East
- Buffalo Payments (13-4, #2 seed in AFC)
New England Patriots (10-7, #7 seed in AFC)
Miami Dolphins (9-8)
New York Jets (5-12)
The Payments nonetheless appear to be the heavy favorites on this division, however the panorama behind them has modified considerably over the course of the offseason. It’ll seemingly be the Dolphins and Patriots battling for the second spot.
The Dolphins have been playoff regulars lately, and so they nonetheless have the expertise to get there, however between the drama surrounding WR Tyreek Hill and considerations about Mike McDaniel’s teaching fashion, off the sector points may maintain them again. New England’s tradition is trending in a a lot better course, as Mike Vrabel takes over for Jerod Mayo and appears to reinstate the Patriot Manner on the again of a revamped protection and younger QB Drake Maye. I feel the enhancements they made ought to be sufficient to squeak forward of Miami.
That leaves the Jets alone within the basement. Whereas new QB Justin Fields has untapped potential, the workforce doesn’t precisely have an incredible monitor file of unlocking potential underneath middle. Consequently, I don’t see this workforce performing a lot better than they did underneath Aaron Rodgers.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (14-3, #1 seed in AFC)
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, #5 seed in AFC)
Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)
Cleveland Browns (2-15)
Not like the AFC East, this division seems nearly the identical as final season. The Steelers look to have a high 5 protection, and the Bengals have one of the vital electrical offenses in soccer. I nonetheless assume the Ravens take the crown as they’ve the most effective of each worlds. QB Lamar Jackson has what’s arguably his greatest group of weapons but, and the secondary went from nice final yr to elite this yr with the addition of Jaire Alexander. I give the Steelers the slight edge for a Wild Card, particularly given the uncertainty in Cincinnati surrounding Trey Hendrickson.
The most important change I see taking place on this division is an extra collapse of the Cleveland Browns. Juggling 4 QBs shouldn’t be going to get this workforce wherever. They’re clearly paying the value for buying and selling for Deshaun Watson, who seems extra involved with avoiding penalties for his actions than recovering from his torn Achilles and bouncing again on the sector. The Browns want to start out focusing on expertise that gained’t be held again by character points, and till they be taught that, they are going to be on this division’s basement.
AFC South
Houston Texans (10-7, #4 seed in AFC)
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-9)
Indianapolis Colts (7-10)
Tennessee Titans (4-13)
Whereas I’ve the Texans taking this division for the third straight yr, it gained’t fairly be as simple as 2024. I anticipate the Jaguars to bounce again to an extent underneath Liam Coen, and the Colts’ schedule seems simple sufficient that they need to be capable of decide up their fair proportion of wins and put up a struggle as nicely.
Nonetheless, I nonetheless have Houston because the division’s solely playoff workforce. Whereas the workforce continues to be flawed and the o-line is a priority, I belief C.J. Stroud greater than another QB right here and on paper the Texans even have among the finest defenses in soccer. The Colts nonetheless have an enormous query mark on the QB place, and coming off a 4-win 2024 season, it’s going to take time for the Jaguars to get again into playoff place.
The Titans nonetheless fall in need of posing a menace on this division. I do anticipate massive issues out of Cam Ward, however I’m unsure how a lot he strikes the needle in Yr 1. So as to add to it, this protection already struggled final yr and has solely continued to lose expertise in free company.
AFC West
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (11-6, #3 seed in AFC)
Los Angeles Chargers (10-7, #6 seed in AFC)
Denver Broncos (9-8)
Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
A yr in the past, this division had three playoff groups, headlined by the 15-2 Chiefs. I nonetheless see the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos placing up good years, however I feel the division takes a slight step again total.
The Chiefs could have had the luckiest 15-win season in NFL historical past, and so they have been humbled in Tremendous Bowl LIX. I nonetheless have them narrowly profitable the division, however they’ll regress to 11-6 and particularly battle throughout WR Rashee Rice’s 6-game suspension.
That brings the Chargers and Broncos nearer to a division title than final yr, however the competitors within the AFC is hard sufficient that I’ve Denver simply lacking the playoffs. QB Justin Herbert has a greater arsenal of weapons than final yr. Although the Chargers misplaced some items on protection, I feel the offensive enhancements maintain them afloat right here. The Broncos’ protection, however, will win them some video games singlehandedly. Nonetheless, I don’t see QB Bo Nix taking way more of a step ahead as he’s already older than your common rookie contract QB.
The Raiders will nonetheless seemingly be within the basement right here, however the Pete Carroll-Geno Smith combo in addition to the addition of RB Ashton Jeanty can buy them a win or two greater than 2024.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (13-4, #1 seed in NFC)
Dallas Cowboys (9-8, #6 seed in NFC)
Washington Commanders (7-10)
New York Giants (7-10)
The NFC East hasn’t had a again to again winner since 2004, but when there’s anybody to buck the development, it’s the Jalen Hurts/Saquon Barkley-led Eagles. Many suspect the Commanders will give them a run for his or her cash, however their line of defense considerations me and it might be tough for QB Jayden Daniels to copy his rookie yr. In the meantime, Philly brings again many established veterans and will stay one of many high Tremendous Bowl contenders.
The Commanders’ decline would give the Cowboys a greater shot to make the playoffs, as I’ve them doing right here. It will additionally open the door for a Russell Wilson-led Giants squad to select up a couple of extra wins than final yr. Wilson is probably the most competent QB the Giants have had since Eli Manning retired, so I really feel that can make a distinction. The Cowboys roster is way much less the identical exterior of the current lack of Micah Parsons, however we’ll must see how a lot Brian Schottenheimer can get out of this squad in comparison with Mike McCarthy. I believe Jerry Jones, not the teaching, is the issue right here in Dallas, however in 2025 the Cowboys might be able to reap the benefits of a weak, however deep NFC wild card race and purchase Schottenheimer one other yr.
NFC North
Detroit Lions (13-4, #2 seed in NFC)
Minnesota Vikings (8-9)
Inexperienced Bay Packers (8-9)
Chicago Bears (7-10)
This division, very similar to the AFC West, had three playoff groups a yr in the past. Nonetheless, I feel the Packers, very similar to the Commanders, have been a beneficiary of a weaker NFC wild card race. This yr’s race runs deeper than final yr’s, which may truly in impact result in extra 8 to 9 win groups making the wild card, however I don’t see Inexperienced Bay being one among them this time round.
The Vikings have been extra than simply your common wild card workforce final yr, nevertheless it’s arduous to know what they’ll get out of QB J.J. McCarthy, and I don’t have the identical religion in him that I do in the remainder of his QB class. He was surrounded by elite expertise when he gained a nationwide title with Michigan. Regardless that he has quite a lot of expertise in Minnesota, it’s unknown if McCarthy’s skill will translate.
I feel Ben Johnson will permit the Bears to problem Minnesota and Inexperienced Bay for 2nd place within the division. Nonetheless, the gifted offense in Detroit will succeed with or with out Johnson. In truth, John Morton’s offense has seemingly performed to the good thing about guys like RB Jahmyr Gibbs and WR Jameson Williams in camp. I’ve them profitable this division in a way more defining style than a yr in the past.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-6, #3 seed in NFC)
Atlanta Falcons (6-11)
Carolina Panthers (6-11)
New Orleans Saints (4-13)
Whereas QB Baker Mayfield is in no way a generational expertise, the supporting forged he has round him ought to assist Tampa Bay repeat their efficiency as among the finest offenses in soccer. That’s excess of the opposite groups on this division can rejoice.
Carolina’s offense has additionally confirmed promise underneath QB Bryce Younger, however not sufficient to beat the gaping roster holes on the defensive facet of the ball. The Falcons will go so far as QB Michael Penix Jr. goes, and he didn’t precisely present a lot promise down the stretch final yr. The Saints would be the largest catastrophe of all on this division. Their steady delaying of a wanted rebuild put the workforce in wage cap hell, which may make the rebuild they’re beginning now an extended and tedious one. Even stars like RB Alvin Kamara can’t assist the Saints get well from trotting out Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler at QB.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers (10-7, #4 seed in NFC)
Seattle Seahawks (10-7, #5 seed in NFC)
Los Angeles Rams (8-9, #7 seed in NFC)
Arizona Cardinals (8-9)
This division could possibly be one of many largest bloodbaths in current NFL historical past. All 4 of those groups are very competent, however none essentially stands out as constructed to blow away the competitors.
I’ve the Seahawks and 49ers competing for the crown. Seattle has among the finest defenses within the NFC, highlighted by one other elite secondary. I’d argue QB Brock Purdy is the most effective passer within the division, and with a powerful roster round him hat nonetheless contains TE George Kittle, ED Nick Bosa, and LB Fred Warner, I see San Francisco simply barely beating out Seattle for the West and the #4 seed within the NFC.
I see the Rams taking a slight step again as QB Matthew Stafford ages and the protection continues to lose expertise, however they nonetheless sneak into the playoffs as one other beneficiary of a detailed wild card race. Arizona simply will get a bit of unfortunate with tiebreakers right here; each these groups will likely be aggressive however simply don’t fairly have the higher stage expertise of their division counterparts up north.
Tremendous Bowl Prediction: Ravens over Eagles
In an period the place working backs have returned to the highlight, I’ve two of the most effective duking it out within the Tremendous Bowl: Derrick Henry of the Ravens and Saquon Barkley of the Eagles. The Eagles have most of their Tremendous Bowl roster from final yr again, and that can assist them make a deep run. Nonetheless, Baltimore added seasoned veterans like WR DeAndre Hopkins and CB Jaire Alexander to an already gifted roster. That veteran expertise will assist them on the massive stage.
That does it for my NFL predictions this season. Keep tuned to my Twitter, @AndrewRoberts1 for my weekly NFL picks and far, way more.
