NFL Predictions 2025

We made it, football lovers. Another offseason has come and gone, and the NFL is again preparing to tee it up. As we do every year here at RSR, here are our best crystal ball gazes into the future for the league as a whole.

Tony Lombardi

The Ravens have been lauded as Super Bowl favorites, and many are picking them to hoist The Lombardi in February. This chatter has been going on seemingly forever and finally the season is upon us, and we’ll soon be able to discuss and dissect what happened on the field instead of what might happen in our respective imaginations.

But until the first football flies through the late summer air at The Linc in Philly on Thursday night, we’re all here to share with you how we think the season will play out. And I’m up first, so without further ado, here are my predictions.

• Ravens get the three-peat in the AFC North title.
• NFL MVP: Lamar Jackson
• AFC DPOY: Maxx Crosby
• NFC DPOY: Jalen Carter
• AFC Top Rookie: Ashton Jeanty
• NFC Top Rookie: Abdul Carter
• Comeback Player of the Year AFC: Nick Chubb
• Comeback Player of the Year NFC: Christian McCaffrey
• Surprise teams:
• Good: Atlanta Falcons
• Bad: Washington Commanders
• Super Bowl LX Winner: Ravens 34, Packers 23

Rob Shields

Super Bowl: Packers over Chiefs (The same teams I picked last year, but this time with Green Bay coming out on top.)

MVP: Jordan Love (He was my pick last year as well.  Maybe I was a year too early?)

OPOY: Jahmyr Gibbs

DPOY: Kyle Hamilton

OROY: Ashton Jeanty

DROY: Abdul Carter

Surprise AFC team (good): Titans.  I don’t think they make the playoffs but I think they end up being better than people think and I believe they will have an outside chance at the 7th spot with a month to go into the season.

Surprise AFC team (bad): Denver.  There is a lot to like about the Broncos, but they beat a ton of bad QBs last year. They have to show they can beat better teams, as their schedule is harder this year.

Surprise NFC team (good): Arizona.  I think they will not only be in the WC race but also challenge to win the division.  I suspect that division to be close and Arizona has some intriguing pieces and could be dangerous.

Surprise NFC team (bad): Commanders.  Harder schedule, defense still meh. They may still eek into the playoffs but I think they are a 7-9 win team.

AFC East will be a cakewalk for the Bills. Philly is first to win NFC East in back-to-back years in over 20 seasons.

I had Green Bay over Detroit in the division before the Micah Parsons move. Detroit has a very tough schedule although they do have the Warren Sharp rest advantage on their side. Still, between a very tough schedule and losing both coordinators, I think they fall back some.

I think the Bengals finally get off to a decent start and their defense is a little better than last year.

Until someone beats them in the AFC, I can’t pick against the Chiefs. Their offensive line is better and they just don’t make the dumb mistakes when it matters the most. I think they win fewer games than last year but will be a better team overall.  I do think seeing them get crushed in the Super Bowl seven months ago means something for the Bills and Ravens.

Kevin McNelis

NFL MVP: Joe Burrow

Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs

Defensive Player of the Year: Jared Verse

OROY: Cam Ward (dark horse: Tetairoa McMillan)

DROY: Jihaad Campbell

Coach of the Year: Liam Coen

Comeback Player of the Year: Nick Chubb

Pleasant surprise: Denver Broncos

Surprising letdown: San Francisco 49ers

AFC Champion: Baltimore Ravens

NFC Champion: Philadelphia Eagles

Super Bowl champion: Philadelphia Eagles

There’s so much of this that I’d love to be wrong about, because it felt gross writing this. What we saw last year with the MVP conversation is that performance itself only has to get you into the picture, and beyond that, it becomes about the best storyline as it’s viewed by voters. You’re already seeing allusions around NFL media to how Joe Burrow is going to help this beleaguered Bengals defense beat the odds in the AFC, conveniently ignoring that he has a triple crown receiver from last year, Tee Higgins on the other side and a viable RB for the first time since Joe Mixon.

Meanwhile, you see plenty of respect for the Eagles in my predictions, and I don’t feel any better about that either. Tip of the cap to the way they’ve built their roster, especially given that Howie Roseman was once considering trading huge capital to acquire Deshaun Watson but ended up with this timeline instead. The addition of a versatile guy like Jihaad Campbell is going to allow them to scheme up all kinds of matchup nightmares for opposing offenses, and there aren’t many teams that can compete with the pressure they bring up front. I hate the idea that the Ravens would get within striking distance of a title and come up empty, but the Eagles ate Kansas City’s O-line alive in the Super Bowl last season, and with the guard play still suspect for Baltimore, I would have concerns about the matchup.

Look on the bright side: I predicted more success for the Ravens last season and got stymied, so I’m hoping for the reverse jinx this year.

John Hughey

OPOY: Jahmyr Gibbs

Despite losing Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson to the Bears this past offseason, it’s hard to imagine Gibbs’ role taking any sort of a hit. With David Montgomery aging, the Lions could look to lean more on their young pass-catching threat to pick up where the second-ranked offense left off a season ago.

DPOY: Micah Parsons

If there was any team that would’ve sent away a star player who requested a trade, of course, it was Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. You could make an argument that they saved themselves from an insane contract, but Parsons’ play on the field speaks for itself. The young pass-rusher is looking for a season to silence a lot of doubt amongst the media, and what better way than adding some hardware to his resume.

OROY: Omarion Hampton

With Najee Harris‘ eye injury, Hampton finds himself in a prime position to take over RB1 duties in a run-heavy Chargers offense. Hampton was one of two running backs drafted in the first round of this past NFL Draft for a reason. The North Carolina star has the vision and explosiveness to make big plays, regardless of the health of the line in front of him. Ladd McConkey and Hampton will play large roles in the Chargers offense this season.

DROY: Malaki Starks

The cast surrounding Starks is arguably one of the best in the league, and should allow the rookie to get a lot of attention early. Starks shined during his career in Georgia, and pairing him next to the top safety in the league will be something special to watch. The Ravens haven’t produced a DROY winner since Terrell Suggs in 2003, but Malaki Starks enters 2025 with a serious opportunity to change that stat.

MVP: Joe Burrow

Ravens and Bills fans spent the final weeks of the 2025 season arguing over which of their respective QBs deserved the MVP award more. If it weren’t for a disappointing display of defense from the Bengals throughout the season, Joe Burrow may have had the award in the bag for himself. The Bengals brought in former Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Al Golden to take over the defense. If the Bengals can find themselves a playoff spot and Burrow repeats his historic 2024 campaign, the Bengals franchise QB may add another trophy to a trophy room that consists of two Comeback POY awards.

Comeback POY: Aidan Hutchinson

The Lions await the return of their star edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, following a season-ending leg injury in 2024. The former first-round pick was off to an impressive start last season, leading the NFL in sacks with 7.5 before his injury. It’s hard to imagine the expectations for Hutchinson are astronomical entering 2025, but he is a prime candidate to take home the comeback player of the year award if he can find ways to make a difference.

Surprise Team: New England (9+ wins)

Surprise Letdown: Chicago Bears (7 or fewer wins)

AFC Championship: Baltimore Ravens over Buffalo Bills

NFC Championship: Philadelphia Eagles over Detroit Lions

Super Bowl Champion: Baltimore Ravens

Chris Schisler

NFL MVP: Jayden Daniels

I think Daniels was a year away from joining the elite quarterback group last season. I think he makes the jump and the Commanders are a team to look out for because of it. Daniels is a special player. He has a beautiful deep ball, great athleticism and incredible poise.

OPOY: Saquan Barkley

This feels like a safe pick. He’s on the cover of Madden and is a human highlight reel. The Eagles depend upon him and his numbers will be insane if he stays healthy.

DPOY: Kyle Hamilton

The Ravens will have a championship caliber defense. Hamilton is the X-Factor because of his versatility. He’s going to make that contract look like a bargain.

OROY: Ashton Jeanty

This guy is just going to be fun to watch. NFL Red Zone fans will love Jeanty because he’ll have highlights that will stun you. I say NFL Red Zone fans because Jeanty is the only reason to tune into the Raiders on a busy NFL Sunday, and that will be the main way the Raiders are consumed.

DROY: Mike Green

I may be a homer here, but Green is going to make an impact right away. Let’s just say that I’m bullish on his bull rush.

AFC Championship: Baltimore Ravens over Buffalo Bills

NFC Championship: Detroit Lions over Philadelphia Eagles

Super Bowl: Ravens 34 Lions 24

The Baltimore Ravens have a shot every year; that’s the benefit of having a two-time NFL MVP. As long as they have a shot and a championship caliber roster I’m picking the Ravens to break through. If they don’t do it this year, don’t come for me. Instead put the pressure on John Harbaugh. If this team stays healthy a championship is the expectation. The Ravens need to break through. If it’s going to happen, this has to be the year.

The Lions are a team a lot of people have taking a step back this season. I’m not one of those people. I think the Lions are going to break through. I see Jared Goff getting the Lions to the big game. I just don’t see him topping the Ravens defense and outdueling Lamar Jackson.

Jared Pinder

AFC Champion: Ravens

This has got to be the year for the Ravens. The Chiefs have been the poster child of consistency in the AFC for a while now, but if they can’t get to the Super Bowl now, then truly, when will they? With contracts coming up soon, the Ravens have to make it to the Super Bowl, and this has to be the year.

NFC Champion: Packers

This answer probably was different a couple of days ago; however, I do think Parsons is the missing piece needed for this team to make a real run in the NFC. I predicted Love would be the MVP last year, but Brazil’s horrible turf got in the way of that, and I do think the Packers are primed for a Super Bowl Push.

Super Bowl Champion: Ravens

I’ll be a homer here because this once again has got to be the year for the Ravens. They have to get a Super Bowl with Lamar, and why not this year? The team is loaded and is a top-three team in the NFL. Eventually, the bad luck and mistakes have to stop for them, so why not now?

NFL MVP: Lamar Jackson

This piece does have a ton of purple blinders, but honestly, I think Lamar Jackson smells blood in the water. Lamar was robbed of the MVP last year, and now he is apparently taking on a more vocal role in the locker room and seems to have this team focused. Lamar has nothing but support now with all the pieces returning plus more, he is poised for another excellent year.

OPOY: Justin Jefferson

This might be scary with basically a rookie Quarterback throwing to him, but after a down year, I think Jefferson will remind people that he is the best receiver in the NFL.

DPOY: Micah Parsons

Micah, on a much better defense than he was in Dallas, is going to eat, and he will be one of the main reasons why the Packers will go all the way to the Super Bowl.

OROY: Ashton Jeanty

While I do like other options, it is tough to see how this isn’t Jeanty with the workload Pete Caroll is going to throw upon him.

DROY: Abdul Carter

There really wasn’t another option for me with this one. I think the Giants could be a sleeper team with the defensive line they have created, and Carter will be the straw that stirs the drink, creating the most havoc of the group.

Comeback Player of the Year: Aidan Hutchinson

Hutch was on a path to becoming the DPOY last year until he got hurt. He responds by coming all the way back and proving the type of player he is.

Good Surprise: Chicago Bears

This could be a great post-hype team after last year was ruined with bad coaching and the pain of a rookie quarterback. Now, with wunderkind Ben Johnson and a whole new staff, this team could be a tough out and surprise with a solid eight or nine-win season.

Bad Surprise: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers were exposed along the defensive front last year, and they made too few adjustments to remedy that. They are praying that whatever was wrong with T.J. Watt last year is fixed, and an offense that is reliant on Aaron Rodgers finding himself again with no weapons outside of DK Metcalf. I may be dead by the time they fire Mike Tomlin, but this could be the closest they ever get to it because I genuinely don’t see it with this roster. They’re once again destined to barely squeeze into the playoffs and get their brains beaten out by a real team come January.

Jason Woolbert

These predictions are supposed to be bold?  I can’t just pick who I actually think will win, which would be boring?  I guess I’ll have to use Vegas Odds for this.  I’ll use a well known site that may or may not rhyme with Spam Fuel.

OPOY:  Jayden Daniels (+5000)

DPOY:  Kyle Hamilton (+5000)

OROY:  Ollie Gordon II (+8000)

DROY:  Xavier Watts (+15000)

NFL MVP:  Saquon Barkley (+6000)

Coach of the Year:  Andy Reid (+7500)

Comeback Player of the Year:  Dre Greenlaw (+10000)

Pleasant surprise: Seattle Seahawks (+550 to win division; +200 to win ten games)

Surprising letdown: San Francisco (+100 to lose eight games)

AFC Champion: Denver Broncos (+1300) over Houston Texans (+1200)

NFC Champion: Washington Commanders (+1000) over Tampa Bay Bucs (+1200)

Super Bowl champion: Washington Commanders (+2000)

Quarterbacks can win and have won OPOY and Daniels at 50-1 odds look like value with his Jacksonian ability to throw and run.  Micah Parsons is favorite for DPOY, which is probably helped by the trade news, and all the top bets are sack artists, so I will be bold and predict defensive backs to win back-to-back awards for the first time since 1993-94.

I can’t pick Ashton Jeanty for OROY so I’ll go with another RB in Gordon who will see action thanks to injuries to De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright.  Abdul Carter is the runaway favortie for DROY, so I have everyone else to pick from, but Watts in particular is listed as Atlanta’s starting FS, and with some luck he could get a lot of interceptions.

MVP is the hardest award to find good odds for.  The reason is, too many people think of it as a QB-only award.  Quarterbacks have won the past 12 MVPs, and the last non-QB, non-RB to win was Lawrence Taylor in 1986.  So you’re stuck with either an elite RB or a mediocre QB on paper.  I will go with elite over mediocre, but in order for Barkley to win he’ll practically have to set the single season rushing record.  What a story that would be.

Ironically the best odds for coach of the year lie with the best coaches on the best teams, because of the bizarre psychology that they’re supposed to win.  I’ll hedge the bet on a lifetime achievement award for Reid, who has only won the award once, in 2002.  Greenlaw, whose injury was much publicized, is set for a full season on a good Denver team with a good defense.  Nick Chubb (+2000) and Maxx Crosby (+2000) are also value picks here.

Seattle has the highest odds to win an NFC West that has a lot of question marks, especially if Matthew Stafford is hurt.  They have plenty of good players and I still believe in Mike Macdonald as a coach.  Sam Darnold must stay upright for this to happen.  Staying in division, San Francisco is even money to go 9-8.  People are expecting the Niners to have a big bounce back year, but I still see an injured Brandon Aiyuk (among others) and a roster that doesn’t particularly look any better than last year’s.

Sadly in this case, the Ravens are the favorite to win the Super Bowl and by extension the AFC, and I can’t pick them.  The Bills, Eagles and Chiefs are also better than 10-1 odds.  So y’all are going to hate me, but I am taking the Commanders at 20-1.  This banks on Jayden Daniels being the real deal, Deebo Samuel having a healthy and productive season, and the defense taking the next step.  Doing so in a rematch of Super Bowl XXII would bring some interesting storylines, but not so for Ravens fans.  So let’s all just hope I’m horribly wrong.

Nick Polinsky

AFC Championship: Ravens over Bills

NFC Championship: Eagles over 49ers

Super Bowl Prediction: Ravens over Eagles

Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson

Offensive Player of the Year: Bijan Robinson

Defensive Player of The Year: Micah Parsons

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Tetairoa McMillan

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Abdul Carter

Comeback Player of the Year: Aidan Hutchinson

Positive Surprise: New England Patriots

I love Mike Vrabel and still think the power struggle that forced him out of Tennessee was a disaster for the Titans organization. Drake Maye showed flashes last year and he now has TreVeyon Henderson and Stefon Diggs to his aide. The defense has plenty of talent with the likes of Christian Gonzalez and a healthy Christian Barmore, and I seriously believe this squad can take a wild card spot this season.

Negative Surprise: Detroit Lions

Don’t get me wrong, I still think Detroit is a great team that will make the playoffs this season. However, I see somewhere around 10 wins as opposed to their absurd 15-2 record in 2024. I think the loss of both coordinators as well as Frank Ragnow will drag this team down, and rather than a division winner I believe the Lions will finish as a wild card team.

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