The NFL 2025 Season Preview: Contenders, Pretenders, and Wildcards
- elizabethmacbey
- 2 hours ago
- 8 min read
The time has come. Crisp fall days, buffalo chicken dip, fantasy football debacles, and the sound of Mike Vrabel screaming through your TV speakers, and family members yelling at each other over a fourth-round waiver claim - it’s all back, baby!
After 214 long days without football, the 2025 NFL season is finally upon us.
This year promises to be one of the most intriguing, with a new crop of elite rookies - Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, and Abdul Carter - ready to make an immediate impact. Add in some blockbuster offseason moves with franchise stars like Micah Parsons, DK Metcalf, and Patrick Surtain II finding new homes, and the balance of power across the league feels more unsettled than ever.
Ahead of kickoff, here is your 2025-2026 NFL season preview of contenders, pretenders, and wildcards.
Let the hunt for the Lombardi begin!
Contenders
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are in the perfect sweet spot: Jordan Love took a huge step forward last year, proving he can win in big moments, and now they’ve added Micah Parsons — yes, the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history — to an already solid defense. Parsons is the kind of player who changes the entire personality of a unit, and paired with Rashan Gary, they suddenly have one of the scariest pass-rush duos in football. Add in Christian Watson finally looking like a consistent WR1 and a sneaky-good backfield rotation, and this team looks dangerous. If Love continues trending upward, Green Bay has legitimate NFC title aspirations.
Detroit Lions
The Lions aren’t just a fun story anymore; they’re a legitimate powerhouse. Jared Goff has full command of Ben Johnson’s offense, Aidan Hutchinson anchors a defense that looks healthier and deeper than last year, and they’ve quietly built one of the most complete rosters in football. Dan Campbell’s group went 15–2 last year and fell just short — but with the NFC North now one of the toughest divisions in football, Detroit is battle-tested and primed for another deep playoff run.
Washington Commanders
Washington brought in Detroit’s offensive coordinator as head coach, and the results are already showing. Jayden Daniels looks like a star in the making — his dual-threat ability is giving defenses fits. Bobby Wagner, somehow still aging in reverse, brings leadership to a young defense, and with Terry McLaurin finally having a quarterback who can consistently deliver, Washington has legitimate “worst-to-first” potential. They were a top-10 preseason team in most power rankings for a reason.
Buffalo Bills
Consistency. That’s the one word for the Bills. While Josh Allen still hasn’t made it over the Super Bowl hump, Buffalo remains one of the most steady, well-coached, and talented teams in the NFL. Stefon Diggs may be gone, but Khalil Shakir and rookie weapons have stepped up in camp, and the defense remains tough. After a 13-4 finish last year, they’re one of the safest bets to make another playoff push.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens’ identity hasn’t changed: Lamar Jackson is still the most electrifying QB in the league, and with the offense tailored to maximize his dual-threat ability, Baltimore is always a nightmare matchup. Zay Flowers emerged as a true WR1, and the defense remains stacked under John Harbaugh. They’ll be in the mix come January — count on it.
Kansas City Chiefs
Look, I get it. We’re all tired of the Chiefs storyline — it feels like the NFL has been on a decade-long rerun of “Mahomes vs. the world.” But even if you’re sick of seeing them hoist trophies, you can’t ignore reality: Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are still the most dangerous duo in football. Travis Kelce may be slowing down, but the Chiefs just keep reloading. Until proven otherwise, they’re contenders. Period.
Los Angeles Chargers
Yes, I’m still a Herbert stan. Justin Herbert has everything you want in a franchise QB, and now, with a healthier O-line and an improved run game, the Chargers might finally put it all together. Their defense is still the big question mark, but in an AFC that’s loaded with QB talent, Herbert gives them a fighting chance every Sunday.
Houston Texans
CJ Stroud is the real deal. After a breakout rookie year, he’s only gotten sharper, and the chemistry with Tank Dell and Nico Collins is scary. Add in a defense that’s young, fast, and physical, and you’ve got a Texans team that no one wants to face. They might not be at the level of Buffalo or Baltimore just yet, but they’re coming.’
Denver Broncos
Say it louder for the people in the back: Bo Nix is not a bust. Sean Payton’s offense has been tailored perfectly to his strengths, and Denver’s defense is still elite. Patrick Surtain II might be gone, but they’ve reloaded with depth, and the offense has just enough weapons to surprise people. This team projects between 10–12 wins, and if things break right, they’re a legitimate dark horse in the AFC.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Say what you will, but Baker Mayfield keeps proving doubters wrong. He’s the ultimate underdog QB, and with Mike Evans still producing like he’s 25, the Bucs remain dangerous. The NFC South isn’t exactly stacked with powerhouse teams, so Tampa has a real shot to make noise again. If Baker strings together another gutsy season, don’t be shocked if they sneak into the top tier of NFC contenders.
Pretenders
Dallas Cowboys
It’s the same story every year: hype, hype, hype, and then heartbreak. Losing Micah Parsons was brutal, and while they just extended DaRon Bland to try and patch up the defense, the truth is, Jerry Jones has mismanaged this roster. Dak Prescott still has talent, but the surrounding pieces aren’t good enough to make a real run. They’ll win some games — they always do — but they’re not going far.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns feel… stale. The Deshaun Watson situation continues to loom, and while they’ve shuffled coaching staff and tried to bring some stability, the product on the field just isn’t exciting. Coming off a 3–14 disaster, the vibes aren’t great. Until proven otherwise, this is a team stuck in NFL purgatory.
New York Jets
I love Sauce Gardner, but even he can’t cover up all of the Jets’ flaws. Justin Fields is now the guy, and while he brings athleticism, he hasn’t shown he can lead a playoff team. The roster has talent, sure, but they’re more likely to flame out than fly high. And yes, Jets fans, I’ll keep my doors locked.
Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson is fun to watch when healthy, but the Colts still don’t have enough around him to really make noise. They’re that background team you forget about until they’re randomly beating the Texans on a Sunday in December. Not bad, but not threatening.
San Francisco 49ers
Yes, this one is personal. As a Seahawks fan, they go straight into the pretenders category. But objectively, there are real concerns. Brock Purdy doesn’t look the same, Christian McCaffrey is battling back from another tough injury, and the defense isn’t quite as dominant. They’ll fight for a playoff spot, but the NFC West crown may be slipping away.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers always find a way to claw into contention, but this year might be different. They’ve got some young talent and yes, a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers under center, but the AFC North is just too stacked. They’re scrappy, they’re gritty, but they’re not Super Bowl material.
New England Patriots
Drake Maye will be fun for fantasy — he’ll put up numbers in garbage time — but let’s be real. The Patriots are years away from being competitive again.
Miami Dolphins
I don’t want to say it, but… Tua’s health is a serious question mark. Tyreek Hill is still fast, but maybe just a step slower, and Mike McDaniel has a lot to prove after last season’s fade. Miami could sneak into the playoffs, but they feel more like a one-and-done team than a true contender.
Carolina Panthers
Do we even know what the Panthers’ plan is? Bryce Young hasn’t proven himself. The roster is thin, and the division is tough enough to bury them.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are stuck in quarterback limbo, with no clear identity on offense. The roster has talent, but they don’t feel like a threat at all.
Wildcards
Seattle Seahawks
Call me biased, but this team screams “nobody wants to play them.” The defense has flashes of the Legion of Boom 2.0, they finally addressed the O-line by drafting Grey Zabel, and the offense — while not elite — is serviceable enough to keep them in games. They’re not favorites, but if they sneak into the playoffs, watch out.
Chicago Bears
Year two for Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. That’s the headline. Williams showed flashes as a rookie, and now, with a little more experience and chemistry, the Bears could surprise. They won’t win the NFC North (thanks, Detroit), but they’ll be a fun wildcard watch.
Tennessee Titans
Rookie QB Cam Ward has all eyes on him. Can he elevate a roster that isn’t exactly loaded? Having Tyler Lockett helps, even if he’s on the back end of his career. The Titans are a classic boom-or-bust wildcard.
New York Giants
Maybe the most fun QB room in the league: Jameis, Jaxon, and Russ. Add rookie Abdul Carter to the mix on defense, and you’ve got a team that’s sneaky-dangerous. They might not win a ton of games, but they’re going to upset somebody important.
Cincinnati Bengals
It all comes down to health. If Joe Burrow stays upright and has Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal, the Bengals are always a threat. But another injury-plagued season and they’re toast.
Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray is… fine. That’s the best way to put it. They’ll win some games, they’ll lose more, and they’ll hover around .500.
Los Angeles Rams
I’m calling it: the Rams are headed for regression. Stafford is older, Cooper Kupp is gone, and while Puka Nacua is exciting, he’s not enough to carry this offense. They’ll fight for a wildcard, but the magic feels gone.
Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. is one of the most intriguing rookie QBs to watch. He’s an elite passer when on, but also messy at times — which honestly might fit Atlanta’s chaotic roster perfectly. They’re going to be fun, if nothing else.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence still has perfect hair, but outside of that… What's the plan here? Travis Hunter is a fascinating two-way weapon, but one rookie can’t fix everything. They’re a wildcard in the truest sense: maybe exciting, maybe awful.
Las Vegas Raiders
Pete Carroll + Ashton Jeanty = chaos. Carroll loves to run the ball, Jeanty is already one of the most hyped rookie RBs in years, and with Geno Smith under center, this team is unpredictable. Maxx Crosby is still a monster up front. If nothing else, the Raiders will be fun to watch.
Minnesota Vikings
JJ McCarthy takes over, and with Justin Jefferson by his side, this could be the start of something special. They won’t unseat Detroit just yet, but they’re a dangerous spoiler.
Final Word
Every NFL season has its storylines - surprise contenders, overhyped pretenders, and chaotic wildcards who throw the playoff picture into complete disarray, but this year feels different. The balance of power is shifting, rookies are stepping into the spotlight faster than ever, and established stars are being asked to prove they can still carry franchises on their backs.
The only guarantee? Nothing is guaranteed. A Sunday in September can shatter expectations just as easily as a January snow game can crown a legend. That’s why we love it, that’s why we wait all offseason for it, and that’s why the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy is the most compelling drama in sports.
Buckle up. The 2025/26 NFL season is here - and it’s going to be chaos in the best way possible.
Edited by: Megan Livengood