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7 Bold NFL predictions for the 2025 Season
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- 7 Bold NFL predictions for the 2025 Season
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
The 2025 NFL season is still a few months away, but rosters are largely set as teams get to work in training camp. While injuries, training camp battles, and early signs from breakout players can influence a team's outlook, now is a good time for some bold NFL predictions.
As training camp gets underway, we're offering a few bold predictions for what could happen this season.
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Arizona Cardinals win the NFC West
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The Arizona Cardinals showed some early promise in 2024, with a four-game winning streak midway through the season that put them at 6-4 heading into the bye. They lost five of their next six games, finishing the year 8-9. It was a learning opportunity for a young team—one that is poised to take a big leap forward in 2025.
Arizona added significant talent on defense for head coach Jonathan Gannon, including Josh Sweat , Walter Nolen , and Dalvin Tomlinson . It's enough of an improvement that, if rookie cornerback Will Johnson can stay healthy, this could be a top-15 defense.
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Now pair that with an offense that finished 10th in EPA per Play (0.067) and seventh in yards per play ( 5.9 ), and you have a well-rounded team that could overtake both the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC West.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers earn No. 1 seed in the NFC
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Finishing as the top-seeded NFC team can have a lot to do with the schedule you draw that year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might not be better than the Detroit Lions or Philadelphia Eagles in a head-to-head matchup. However, the Lions have six games against NFC North opponents and matchups against the Baltimore Ravens , Cincinnati Bengals , Kansas City Chiefs and the Eagles. Philadelphia has a much tougher schedule, but it's reasonable to expect slight regression from the reigning Super Bowl champions.
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That could clear a path for Tampa Bay to earn the NFC's No. 1 seed. The Buccaneers are strong enough to potentially sweep all six NFC South games. They should also be clear favorites against the New York Jets , Seattle Seahawks , New England Patriots , and Miami Dolphins . If Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers' offense, one of the league's best last season, can manage a few more wins against the Cardinals, Texans , and Rams, there is a realistic path to 12 or more wins and home-field advantage.
Washington Commanders don't make the playoffs
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Jayden Daniels is an MVP-caliber quarterback, and the Washington Commanders did right by him this offseason with the additions of Deebo Samuel , Laremy Tunsil , and Josh Conerly Jr. We're also confident Washington will work out a new extension with Terry McLaurin , avoiding a saga that could linger into the regular season. However, Washington experienced remarkable fortune last season to achieve a 12-win season.
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The reality is that the Commanders' roster is still league-average at best. The Commanders also face the NFC North this season, in addition to matchups against the Chiefs, Denver Broncos , and the Los Angeles Chargers . While we expect Daniels to play like a top-10 quarterback, the team's results this season will likely be nine wins and no playoff appearance.
Derrick Henry wins Offensive Player of the Year
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Derrick Henry is on a mission for 2,000 rushing yards this season. He probably would've reached that total in 2024, but a slow start in his first two games (130 rushing yards total) prevented him from reaching it. In his final 15 games last year, Henry averaged 119.4 rushing yards per game, a pace of 2,030 rushing yards in a season. We've learned not to be on Father Time slowing him down; he's simply a unicorn in that regard. Baltimore will help Henry on his mission for a 2,000-yard season, getting him over that mark in Week 18. Throw in 20 total touchdowns and he'll take home Offensive Player of the Year.
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Bo Nix finishes top-8 in NFL MVP voting
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After an adjustment period early in his rookie season, Bo Nix looked like a high-end starting quarterback who fits perfectly in Sean Payton's offense. The Broncos' signal-caller posted a 28-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio with a 103.2 QB rating and a 68.3 percent completion rate in his final 13 regular-season games, adding 320 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. Denver bolstered its support this offseason by signing tight end Evan Engram and strengthening the backfield with RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins . With one of the best NFL defenses in 2025 , Denver is poised to win 11 or more games, and Nix's stat line in this offense should easily help him finish in the top eight for NFL MVP.
Related: NFL QB rankings
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Geno Smith finishes top-10 in QB rating
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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith remains one of the most underrated players in the NFL right now. He had some issues with interceptions (15) last season, but that was largely a byproduct of being constantly under siege behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Even under duress at an alarming rate, he completed 70.4 percent of his passes, threw for 4,320 yards, and posted a 93.2 QB rating. Smith now gets to funnel targets to All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers , while the receiving corps of Jakobi Meyers , Tre Tucker , and Jack Bech offers complementary skill sets. Most importantly, a strong run game and an improved offensive line will allow Smith to post a 100-plus QB rating this season.
Minnesota Vikings reach the NFC Championship Game
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The Minnesota Vikings had most of the infrastructure necessary last season to be an elite team. Unfortunately for Kevin O'Connell, the offensive line and a quarterback who panicked under pressure proved to be the team's undoing. To address that, Minnesota overhauled the interior of the line this offseason by adding Donovan Jackson , Ryan Kelly , and Will Fries .
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The Vikings are poised to have one of the best NFL offensive lines in 2025. O'Connell also has a loaded group of offensive weapons capable of making big plays and consistently executing their assignments. On top of all that, Minnesota boasts an elite defense. How far this team goes will depend largely on J.J. McCarthy . In what will effectively be his rookie season, he is expected to put it all together late and help the Vikings make a run to the NFC Championship Game as a wild card team.
