The six-month period from February to August, when finding activities to fill Sundays was a challenge, is finally over. Tell your boss, your mom and even your pets: NFL football is back!
As a season of redemption begins for some franchises, others are turning the page to a new chapter. But, for all 32 teams starting Thursday night, the goal of hoisting the Lombardi trophy takes center stage. The Philadelphia Eagles are the latest team to get that taste of championship glory.
But the taste of glory only lasts until the first kickoff sends a pigskin into the night sky. At that moment, everyone is on equal standing at 0-0. Can the green machine defend its title, or is there an outsider ready to attack?
The Eagles aim to repeat as champions, following the Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back championships in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. On most sportsbooks, the Eagles, along with the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, are the head-on favorites to capture the prized goal of a Super Bowl.
In preparation for the NFL season, here is a prediction of all division winners across the NFC and AFC.
NFC
North: Green Bay Packers
Pound for pound, the NFC North was the best division in football during the regular season last year. The division sent three teams to the playoffs, and the division as a whole had a combined record of 45-23. The stakes are just as high in 2025, but a new division champion will be crowned: the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers knew the glaring hole they needed to fix this offseason: the pass rush. As a defensive unit, the Packers ranked 26th in pass rush-win rate in the regular season last year. The problem became even more evident in their 22-10 wild-card loss versus the Eagles.
Enter Micah Parsons. When life gives you a three-time All-Pro linebacker, you make the trade. Trading for Micah Parsons — 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons — is not just about bringing his skill set to Lambeau, but also about elevating the team around him.
But the defense will need help from a year-five quarterback, Jordan Love. It took 23 years, but the Packers finally selected a receiver – Matthew Golden – in the first round. Mixing in a running back, Josh Jacobs, who finished 6th in rush yards (1,329) and 4th in touchdowns (15), the Cheeseheads will have a strong, balanced offensive attack.
Record Prediction: 14-3
South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Mayfield era in Tampa Bay has been a positive one, and will stay that way in 2025 en route to yet another NFC South title. Since Mayfield joined the team in 2023, the Buccaneers have been crowned NFC South Champions back-to-back years.
The departure of Liam Cohen to Jacksonville will take time to adjust to after a very successful 2024 season. However, newly minted offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was the team’s passing game coordinator last season. Grizzard was not calling shots, but had a part in Mayfield’s career-high 40 passing touchdown season and top-three finish in air yards.
But does Chris Goodwin’s injury present issues for Tampa’s offense? Tampa Bay understood the health issues with Goodwin entering this season and drafted star Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka in the first round. Egbuka brings fresh legs and splash play ability to pair with Mr. Consistent, Mike Evans.
Record Prediction: 12-5
East: Philadelphia Eagles
There is no team in the NFL with a bigger target on its back than the defending Super Bowl Champions. Yet, the Eagles have not flinched, keeping their core players in town and replenishing their roster through the draft and free agency. Philadelphia will be the first repeat NFC East champions since 2004, which coincidentally was also the Eagles’ (2001-2004) streak.
The offense that scored a record 145 points in their 2024 playoff run has stayed mostly intact. Third-year right guard Tyler Steen is replacing the departed Mekhi Becton. Kevin Patullo is the new offensive play caller after Kellen Moore left for the Saints’ head coach job.
Yet, the Eagles have not stayed satisfied even after their second Super Bowl in eight years. Roseman and the front office addressed multiple defensive positions after a handful of starters took a paycheck elsewhere.
The Eagles will head into week one with five new defensive starters, including offseason signee cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. In addition, the return of the defensive coordinator Vic Fanigo has the Eagles unit primed for another top-five finish.
Record Prediction: 14-3
West: Los Angeles Rams
The NFC West is looking open this year, with all four teams capable of taking the crown as champions. However, the Rams have set themselves up to win the division for the first time since 2017-18.
Questions of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s health are fair, yet the Rams have built a complete roster around him to compete. The injury can linger, making it critical that the Rams keep their 37-year-old gunslinger upright. But the offensive arsenal around Stafford should take some pressure off his shoulders.
The exit of Cooper Kupp was an emotional one, but in return, Los Angeles nabbed three-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams in free agency. The pairing of Adams and Puka Nuaca will make for a Top-5 receiving duo in 2025. Yet, it will be the Rams’ front seven that will turn heads.
Led by edge Jared Verse, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and defensive end Kobie Turner, the Rams have a young and hungry unit. In their divisional round loss to the Eagles last season, Los Angeles racked up seven sacks. The unit that led the NFL in pressure rate last regular season at a 41.3% rate will look to replicate similar results in 2025.
Record Prediction: 12-5
AFC
North: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have owned the AFC North over the last two years, and nothing will change in 2025. The Browns are figuring out which quarterback will play, the Steelers are relying on 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and the Bengals still can’t play defense. Baltimore has all the necessary pieces to repeat as division champions, but the Ravens are hungry for more.
The duo of quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry proved unstoppable in their first year together. Baltimore’s rush attack ranked 1st in yards (3,189), in which Jackson and Henry combined for 88% of the rush yards. In year two, the chemistry will only grow more.
But winning the division for the Ravens is not the ultimate goal at this point. The goal is to win in January and February for Baltimore.
Record Prediction: 15-2
South: Houston Texans
The arrival of CJ Stroud in 2023 changed the direction of the Houston Texans. In his first two seasons, the Texans have won the division in mostly convincing fashion. Benefiting from an easier division, the Texans shall regain the South title with a bounce-back year from their gunslinger.
For the Texans to win a third straight division title, Stroud will need to play better. His risk-taking put him in a hole in 2024. He had 12 interceptions, which was seven more than in his rookie campaign.
The Texans’ advantage in the AFC South is that the other teams are still figuring it out. Tennessee is in a rebuild with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward; the Jaguars overhauled their coaching staff, and the Colts have given the keys to Daniel Jones. The team that has experienced players to trust right now is the Houston Texans.
Record Prediction: 11-6
East: Buffalo Bills
A division that was once dominated by the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots now has a new king on the throne: Josh Allen. The Buffalo Bills have reigned supreme in the 2020s, capturing five straight division titles. After an MVP season and a shiny new contract, Allen and the Bills are ready to claim the East again.
The motto will be “ground and pound” for the Buffalo offense in 2025. Head coach Sean McDermott hopes to see an improvement in year two for receivers Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir to take a more No. 1 role in the offense. But with Allen under center, just get open, and the MVP will find you.
Even with the roster getting a makeover, the Bills’ schedule is what favors them heading into 2025. According to Sharp Football Analysis, Buffalo has the fifth-easiest schedule. But can they exercise the ghost of Kansas City in January?
Record Prediction: 14-3
West: Denver Broncos
Betting against Patrick Mahomes is the modern equivalent of gambling against Tom Brady’s Patriots in the 2010s. Yet, in 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs will not be AFC West champions and for the first time since 2015, the Denver Broncos will win the division.
Since hoisting the Lombardi trophy nine years ago, the Broncos have scrambled to find the next successor to Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. No, Bo Nix has not come close to the height of the all-timer. But, it feels for the first in a long time the Broncos have their guy under center
Where the Broncos will make teams pay is on the defensive side of the ball. The unit, led by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain, finished third in points allowed and seventh in yards last season.
But big upgrades came to Denver. Denver general manager George Pattons signed two proven defenders in linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Health is a priority for both players. Still, if they can play a full season, it’s a massive boost for an already premier unit.
It won’t be pretty and most definitely not easy, but a new chapter is brewing in the Mile High City. Patrick Mahomes is seemingly inevitable every year, but the Broncos have built a roster that can compete with the king of the AFC.
Record Prediction: 12-5