2025 NFL Division outlook

[geezerbuter]

NFC North :

Detroit Lions : hands above all the other teams in the divison. Aaron Glenn did an outstanding job given the injuries and doing enough to win, but defense was still thr Achilles heel of the Lions. As for Ben Johnson, he is a mastermind and always kept defenses guessing but thr Lions have the talent where they don't need gimmick plays. If Goff goes down for an extended period of time things could get scarey in Motoen but he is not injury prone and a healthy Lions team could propel them to their 1st suoerbowl

Green Bay Packers : after stepping in the scene in 2023 on fire - throwing for over 42
4100 yards and 32 TDs, love took a step back in his sophomore slump and they for 7 less TDs and 770 less yards. There just doesn't seem to be enough talent around love for thr packers to succeed, but will this be the year everything clicks ?

Minnesota Vikings - the Vikings haven't made consecutive playoffs since 2008 and 2009. Their team was good enough to make darnold look like an Allstar until his last 2 games as a viking. Jj Mccarthy is touted as having potential to be great, but in the division he is the 4th best QB.

CHICAGO Bears - its all on Ben Johnson to turn this team around and it starts with Caleb Williams. Williams showed some flashes but was very inconsistent last year. Ben Johnson has a lot to prove and don't look for many trick plays with the raw Besrs team. Instead look for a slow start for a team that should gel throughout the season. A brand new head coach will take some time to find his identity, the identity of team, and finally have the players buy into it and learn it. I could see Chicago being a very good team in 2026, however everything can change by then

 

[K Douglas]

No doubt the Lions are the cream of the crop in this division. They were 15-2 last year and will likely be in that neighborhood again in 2025. The Vikings were a surprising 14-3 last season. It was a perfect storm for them. I see some regression there. The Packers were 11-6 last season with an oft injured and inconsistent Jordan Love at the helm. I don't know that they get any better or worse in 2025. The Bears were last in the division with a 5-12 record. No doubt they will be better than that as Caleb Williams continues to improve.

1. Lions 14-3
2. Packers 10-7
3. Vikings 9-8
4. Bears 7-10

 

[Steve_Stevens]

No doubt the Lions are the cream of the crop in this division. They were 15-2 last year and will likely be in that neighborhood again in 2025. The Vikings were a surprising 14-3 last season. It was a perfect storm for them. I see some regression there. The Packers were 11-6 last season with an oft injured and inconsistent Jordan Love at the helm. I don't know that they get any better or worse in 2025. The Bears were last in the division with a 5-12 record. No doubt they will be better than that as Caleb Williams continues to improve.

1. Lions 14-3
2. Packers 10-7
3. Vikings 9-8
4. Bears 7-10

Lions have 5 tough road games this year (Balt, GB, Cinncy, Philly and KC)

 

[K Douglas]

Lions have 5 tough road games this year (Balt, GB, Cinncy, Philly and KC)

No doubt but they will be up for that challenge. Remember they went 15-2 last year and lost their best defensive player Aidan Hutchinson in week 6. The only player of significance that they lost in the off season was CB Carlton Davis and they replaced him with a quality guy in D.J. Reed. They also bolstered their defense with some decent depth signings on the d-line. MLB Jack Campbell is an emerging star and OLB Anzalone is no slouch either. They have one of the best safety tandems in Branch and Joseph and the best RB tandem in the league with Gibbs and Montgomery. They are as solid a team as any in the league.

 

[K Douglas]

NFC East prediction

1. Eagles 11-6. I see a bit of a SB hangover happening. But damn that run game is quite something and still a top tier O-Line.
2. Commanders 10-7. If Daniels struggles in year 2 similar to what C.J. Stroud did last year they won't finish 2nd in the division. The defense still needs a lot of work.
3. Cowboys 9-8. I like the addition of George Pickens as a complement to CeeDee Lamb. They have missed that solid 2nd option at wideout for years. They need to focus on improving that dreadful run defense though.
4. Giants 5-12. Things won't get much better for the Giants this year. I don't think Wilson is interested in playing ball anymore. I think the rookie may be starting by mid season. And while I like the 4 in the 3-4 defense, question marks remain on the front and in the secondary. If they somehow come up with a .500 season I'd consider Daboll for coach of the year.

 

[BigMz]

So yeah, I disagree heavily with your east predictions. I actually have the cowboys alongside the vikings and browns to finish with 2 or less wins this year purely due to S.O.S. and lack of significant upgrades.

Giants are in a bit of a weird spot where winston more or less has to start for them to win games. They tried the game manager approach already with daniel jones and it failed miserably, so adding russel wilson won't exactly change trajectory. I see a scenario where they start 1-5, daboll gets fired, the new guy inserts winston who proceeds to have a bunch of 300/3/3 games, and they just baaaarely miss the playoffs at 9-8. Would be surprised if dart starts at all this season.

 

[K Douglas]

So yeah, I disagree heavily with your east predictions. I actually have the cowboys alongside the vikings and browns to finish with 2 or less wins this year purely due to S.O.S. and lack of significant upgrades.

Giants are in a bit of a weird spot where winston more or less has to start for them to win games. They tried the game manager approach already with daniel jones and it failed miserably, so adding russel wilson won't exactly change trajectory. I see a scenario where they start 1-5, daboll gets fired, the new guy inserts winston who proceeds to have a bunch of 300/3/3 games, and they just baaaarely miss the playoffs at 9-8. Would be surprised if dart starts at all this season.

Cowboys are going to win more than 2 games. They get to play the Giants 2x, the Jets, the Raiders, the Panthers and the Bears. The Vikes are definitely going to win more than 2 games, that's a crazy prediction. I do agree that the Browns are likely to be the worst team in the NFL this season. I also have the Colts, Seahawks and Saints all struggling near the bottom.

 

[K Douglas]

NFC South prediction

1. Tampa Bay 11-6. The offense is solid even with Chris Godwin out to start the season. But if Baker goes down they're cooked. All Pro LT Wirfs is starting the year on the PUP which is a bit of a concern. The D is good enough to at least take the division.
2. Atlanta 10-7. Let's see how Penix Jr. does. I figure there will be some bumps in the road. There is a lack of receiving depth but the defense should be quite improved. Wouldn't surprise me to see them take the division if things play out in their favor.
3. Carolina 7-10. Definitely improving but I'm not sold on Bryce Young just yet. Their RB corps is the strength of the offense. WR's are young but have upside. Thielen is a good veteran presence. D is improving
4. New Orleans 4-13. Its going to be a rough year in the Big Easy. QB is a mess. They still have Kamara but only he can do so much. Outside of Olave the WR's are junk. Their D isn't bad but its going to be on the field a lot and get worn down. Doesn't bode well for 36 year olds Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis.

 

[tml]

Announced a few minutes ago, the Cowboys trade Micah Parsons to the Packers.

 

[tml]

No doubt the Lions are the cream of the crop in this division. They were 15-2 last year and will likely be in that neighborhood again in 2025. The Vikings were a surprising 14-3 last season. It was a perfect storm for them. I see some regression there. The Packers were 11-6 last season with an oft injured and inconsistent Jordan Love at the helm. I don't know that they get any better or worse in 2025. The Bears were last in the division with a 5-12 record. No doubt they will be better than that as Caleb Williams continues to improve.

1. Lions 14-3
2. Packers 10-7
3. Vikings 9-8
4. Bears 7-10

Any revision based on the Packers getting Micha Parsons today?

 

[tml]

NFC North :

Detroit Lions : hands above all the other teams in the divison. Aaron Glenn did an outstanding job given the injuries and doing enough to win, but defense was still thr Achilles heel of the Lions. As for Ben Johnson, he is a mastermind and always kept defenses guessing but thr Lions have the talent where they don't need gimmick plays. If Goff goes down for an extended period of time things could get scarey in Motoen but he is not injury prone and a healthy Lions team could propel them to their 1st suoerbowl

Green Bay Packers : after stepping in the scene in 2023 on fire - throwing for over 42
4100 yards and 32 TDs, love took a step back in his sophomore slump and they for 7 less TDs and 770 less yards. There just doesn't seem to be enough talent around love for thr packers to succeed, but will this be the year everything clicks ?

Minnesota Vikings - the Vikings haven't made consecutive playoffs since 2008 and 2009. Their team was good enough to make darnold look like an Allstar until his last 2 games as a viking. Jj Mccarthy is touted as having potential to be great, but in the division he is the 4th best QB.

CHICAGO Bears - its all on Ben Johnson to turn this team around and it starts with Caleb Williams. Williams showed some flashes but was very inconsistent last year. Ben Johnson has a lot to prove and don't look for many trick plays with the raw Besrs team. Instead look for a slow start for a team that should gel throughout the season. A brand new head coach will take some time to find his identity, the identity of team, and finally have the players buy into it and learn it. I could see Chicago being a very good team in 2026, however everything can change by then

Any revision based on the Packers getting Micha Parsons today?

 

[K Douglas]

Any revision based on the Packers getting Micha Parsons today?

They gave up their best run stopper in Kenny Clark. I don't think the trade moves the needle much for me.

 

[K Douglas]

NFC West prediction

1. 49'ers 10-7. CMC needs to stay healthy or else it will be like last season. No Deebo and no Aiyuk for the first 6 weeks will put pressure on Jennings and Pearsall to perform. Kittle is a beast and Purdy is truly an underappreciated QB.
2. Cardinals 9-8. If I had more faith in Kyler Murray as a passer I'd probably have them at the same record as the 49'ers. They have made improvements on the o line and on defense. Could surprise.
3. Rams 8-9. There is some concern with Stafford's health. I don't see Adams fitting in too well there either. But more so the problem with the team lies on the defensive side of the ball. I do love Jared Verse but the secondary is pretty bad.
4. Seahawks 5-12. Its a mess. One of the worst o lines in football. Sam Darnold ain't going to have close to the #'s he had last season. Defense is a top 12 unit in the league but they will be overworked because the offense won't be able to sustain drives.

 

[dirtydaveiii]

NFC North :

Detroit Lions : hands above all the other teams in the divison. Aaron Glenn did an outstanding job given the injuries and doing enough to win, but defense was still thr Achilles heel of the Lions. As for Ben Johnson, he is a mastermind and always kept defenses guessing but thr Lions have the talent where they don't need gimmick plays. If Goff goes down for an extended period of time things could get scarey in Motoen but he is not injury prone and a healthy Lions team could propel them to their 1st suoerbowl

Green Bay Packers : after stepping in the scene in 2023 on fire - throwing for over 42
4100 yards and 32 TDs, love took a step back in his sophomore slump and they for 7 less TDs and 770 less yards. There just doesn't seem to be enough talent around love for thr packers to succeed, but will this be the year everything clicks ?

Minnesota Vikings - the Vikings haven't made consecutive playoffs since 2008 and 2009. Their team was good enough to make darnold look like an Allstar until his last 2 games as a viking. Jj Mccarthy is touted as having potential to be great, but in the division he is the 4th best QB.

CHICAGO Bears - its all on Ben Johnson to turn this team around and it starts with Caleb Williams. Williams showed some flashes but was very inconsistent last year. Ben Johnson has a lot to prove and don't look for many trick plays with the raw Besrs team. Instead look for a slow start for a team that should gel throughout the season. A brand new head coach will take some time to find his identity, the identity of team, and finally have the players buy into it and learn it. I could see Chicago being a very good team in 2026, however everything can change by then

Totally agree with thus assessment of the nfc north

 

[dirtydaveiii]

No doubt the Lions are the cream of the crop in this division. They were 15-2 last year and will likely be in that neighborhood again in 2025. The Vikings were a surprising 14-3 last season. It was a perfect storm for them. I see some regression there. The Packers were 11-6 last season with an oft injured and inconsistent Jordan Love at the helm. I don't know that they get any better or worse in 2025. The Bears were last in the division with a 5-12 record. No doubt they will be better than that as Caleb Williams continues to improve.

1. Lions 14-3
2. Packers 10-7
3. Vikings 9-8
4. Bears 7-10

Lions 14 wins ain't gonna happen and I say that as a Lions fan. 11 wins takes thisndivisuij maybe 12 at best

 

[K Douglas]

AFC East prediction

1. Bills 12-5. When you have a player like Josh Allen good things will happen. But he's not God. Their D is mediocre at best and that is what holds them back from being considered an elite team in the league.
2. Dolphins 9-8. This is a tough team to predict. There is superb talent there, especially at wideout. But the question marks arise with durability at all offensive positions. The front seven is solid and a good pass rush but the secondary has question marks.
3. Patriots 6-11. There is room for upside. I'm interested to see how rookie RB Treyveon Henderson performs. Maye at QB should be improved. The WR corps is still substandard though, even with Diggs. Their defense is better than people think but it still lacks some playmakers. The offense sustaining drives better should help.
4. Jets 6-11. Going to be another rough season there. I'm not sold on Fields. Furthermore he has minimal weapons at wideout. Run game is solid and I could see Breece Hall being traded during the season. O line and defense are both bottom half in the league despite having some highly paid pieces.

 

[K Douglas]

AFC North prediction

1. Ravens 14-3. I think they are the cream of the crop in the AFC. Top 5 offense. Top 3 defense. They will roll in this division.
2. Bengals 9-8. Potent offense but the defense lacks. They will win a few shootouts though with Burrow slinging it to Chase and Higgins.
3. Steelers 7-10. Rodgers is toast. The o line has questions. The defense can only win you so much.
4. Browns 4-13. Will contend for one of the worst records in the NFL. The offense is putrid. 3 of their wins will likely come at the hands of their defense which is good but will be so overworked.

AFC South prediction

1. Texans 10-7. I think Stroud will be better. That pass rush will be better. But the running game won't. Mixon is on the PUP and Chubb steps in. 2 years removed from a gruesome injury he's not the same. Still in a weak division they have to be given the nod.
2. Jaguars 8-9. They have been up and down like a toilet seat the past 4 seasons 3-14, 9-8, 9-8 and 4-13. I think they will be closer to where they were in 2022 and 2023. Still not totally sold on Lawrence being a good NFL quarterback. But they do have playmakers on both sides of the ball.
3. Colts 7-10. I see regression here. Defense is aging. Offense will sputter with Daniel Jones running things. Yuck. Anthony Richardson...what the heck happened? I do love the running game with Taylor and the o line is still decent.
4. Titans 5-12. Let's see how rookie QB Cam Ward fares. God knows this team has lacked in the QB dept. in recent years. Outside of Ridley and Pollard this offense is subpar. And the defense will struggle because of it.

AFC West prediction

This is a tough division. Likely 3 playoff teams come of of here.

1. Chiefs 13-4. They are still the class of the division, I'm a big fan of Mahomes. And the coaching is just fantastic. Yes Kelce has seen his better days but there are other playmakers on this offense with Worthy, Pacheco and Rice (when he comes back from suspension). And the defense is good all around.
2. Broncos 12-5. Just behind the Chiefs are the Broncos who are on the rise. Stellar D. Good QB in Nix who is still improving. Good running game. But there is a lack of receiving depth which hinders this team from being in the elite class. Perhaps they make a trade?
3. Chargers 10-7. They beat the Chiefs in week 1. Herbert looked great. I think the running game will improve as the season progresses. Still some question marks at WR, there's a lack of consistent threats. The defense is solid but unspectacular. Should still be playoff bound.
4. Raiders 7-10. Things should be better offensively with the addition of rookie RB Ashton Jeanty and QB Geno Smith. Brock Bowers is the best offensive TE in football. And Jakobi Meyers is super underrated at WR. He didn't drop a ball last year! The defense is the weakness of this team and it will struggle again in 2025. C'mon Raiders management address the holes on D for crying out loud!!

 

[tml]

AFC North prediction

1. Ravens 14-3. I think they are the cream of the crop in the AFC. Top 5 offense. Top 3 defense. They will roll in this division.
2. Bengals 9-8. Potent offense but the defense lacks. They will win a few shootouts though with Burrow slinging it to Chase and Higgins.
3. Steelers 7-10. Rodgers is toast. The o line has questions. The defense can only win you so much.
4. Browns 4-13. Will contend for one of the worst records in the NFL. The offense is putrid. 3 of their wins will likely come at the hands of their defense which is good but will be so overworked.

Wow, the Mike Tomlin streak of no sub .500 seasons will come to an end.