JUMP TO:
- AFC predictions: East | West | North | South
- NFC predictions: East | West | North | South
- NFL playoff predictions
- Super Bowl 60 picks
How might the AFC and NFC division races all play out during the 2025 NFL regular season? What surprises might be in store with the 14 total playoff teams?
Although the league is loaded with some elite quarterbacks and powerhouse teams that profile well to be in Super Bowl contention again, there always is room for a few surprises. The parity isn't was it once was for those who have MVP-caliber QBs leading teams vs. those who do not, but still a dangerous offense is imperative to win a lot.
Ultimately, however, the team that has best clutch supportive defense tends to win the championship. Here's how Super Bowl 60 sets up to be won by a familiar favorite, from the journey to the final destination in Santa Clara, Calif., next Feb. 8.
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NFL season predictions 2025
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills (14-3)
- New England Patriots (7-10)
- New York Jets (6-11)
- Miami Dolphins (4-13)
The Bills keep being the stable all-around force with the reigning MVP at quarterback, Josh Allen, backed up by a deep defense and a strong running game with a well-paid James Cook. The Patriots have buzz but watch out for 2026 more with Mike Vrabel. Aaron Glenn's debut will be a little lesser with the Jets, while that Dolphins record vs. a tough schedule suggests the end of the Mike McDaniel eara.
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AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
- Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
- Cleveland Browns (4-13)
Go figure with the addition of Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh and former Raven Joe Flacco starting in Cleveland, two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is the only North QB to not play in the Super Bowl. Jackson will do his best to carry his team to big things again with another big season in the offense. Joe Burrow will help the Bengals overcome defense to get back in the playoffs, while a solid final season by Rodgers keeps the .500 or better streak alive for Mike Tomlin.
AFC South
- Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
- Houston Texans (8-9)
- Tennessee Titans (5-12)
- Indianapolis Colts (4-13)
The Jaguars have a lot of offensive promise with Liam Coen taking over the team and deserve buzz for their new coaching and GM combination, stamped by the drafting of Travis Hunter. Trevor Lawrence will respond well, stealing the division from C.J. Stroud and the Texans. Cam Ward gives the Titans hints of a near-future turnaround, while the Colts need to blow up QB for 2026.
AFC West
- Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)
- Los Angeles Chargers (12-5)
- Denver Broncos (11-6)
- Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)
The championship moxie of Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton as head coaches got more company with Pete Carroll. The Chiefs are loaded enough to make their typical Patriots dynasty-like run, while the Chargers will flex more in Year of Harbaugh. The Broncos' defense is their foundation to help keep Bo Nix from a team slump. The Raiders need a lot more to compete here next year.
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NFC East
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Washington Commanders (11-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-10)
- New York Giants (4-13)
The Eagles and Commanders will remain the division's new premier rivalry, with both Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels in the regular-season MVP conversation. Not much will separate them as they push for deep NFC runs again. But that also leaves the messy Cowboys and rebuilding Giants in the lurch.
NFC North
- Detroit Lions (11-6)
- Chicago Bears (10-7)
- Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Green Bay Packers (8-9)
The Lions won't lose too much offensive mojo without Ben Johnson, but Johnson's scheming and coaching will be a huge benefit to moving the Bears to the second best-team in the division with the Vikings having a much bigger second-year unknown at QB. The Packers are headed to fade given how stacked and reliable the other teams seem to be offensively.
NFC South
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
- Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
- Carolina Panthers (7-10)
- New Orleans Saints (3-14)
This division used to be topsy-turvy and there will be some flux with the Panthers getting closer back to the top and the Falcons hovering around. But Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield was a seamless transition to the Bucs taking the South and that window is open for one more year.
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers (14-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-6)
- Seattle Seahawks (7-10)
- Arizona Cardinals (5-12)
Brock Purdy is the only highly paid QB in the NFL who needs to win a Super Bowl to shut up everyone about him not being among the best in the league. This is a good opportunity, with a chance to carry a hurting passing game. Robert Saleh will settle the defense again to create the big rebound vs. a weak schedule. The Rams won't fade too far with Sean McVay's offense and their young defense.
MORE: NFL Power Rankings for Week 1
AFC playoff predictions
- Buffalo Bills
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Baltimore Ravens
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Denver Broncos
- Cincinnati Bengals
Wild-card round: Chiefs over Bengals, Ravens over Broncos, Chargers over Jaguars
Divisional round: Bills over Chargers, Chiefs over Ravens
AFC championship: Bills over Chiefs
The Bills are overdue for their AFC championship breakthrough with Josh Allen. With their QB, running game and defense, they will complete the run and get over the Kansas City hump with the benefit of home-field advantage working out this time.
The Chiefs and Ravens, along with several other loaded contenders, have just enough weakness to finally open the door for the Bills' first Super Bowl appearance in 32 seasons.
NFC playoff predictions
- San Francisco 49ers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Detroit Lions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Commanders
- Los Angeles Rams
- Chicago Bears
Wild-card round: Eagles over Bears, Rams over Lions, Commanders over Buccaneers
Divisional round: 49ers over Rams, Eagles over Commanders
NFC championship: 49ers over Eagles
The 49ers' issue with Kyle Shanahan has been finishing in the Super Bowl and sustaining consistent big winning during the regular season with injuries. They get over all that just in time to keep their home field at Levi's Stadium throughout the playoffs. For the regular-season, they benefit from a favorable schedule coming off their free fall in 2025.
The NFC is full of heavyweights but the 49ers' experience with Shanahan and renewed confidence with franchise passer Brock Purdy, helped by a fixed defense, adds up to navigating the field best in the playoffs.
MORE: Why SN picked the 49ers to win Super Bowl 60
Super Bowl 60 prediction
- 49ers over Bills, 30-27
The 49ers will lift their first Lombardi Trophy since Super Bowl 29, when they took down the in-state Chargers all the way across the country in South Florida. This time, they get to stay in Northern California, shades of winning Super Bowl 19 over the Dolphins in Stanford Stadium. In a classic between Allen and Purdy, 49ers leans on its losing experience to get that elusive modern ring.