2025 NFL Division Winner Predictions

Starting off with what could be the most obvious pick, the AFC East belongs to the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen and co. have won the division in each of the last five seasons, and it hasn’t exactly been close.

The New York Jets haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2010 season, and haven’t won the AFC East since 2002. The Miami Dolphins have made playoff appearances in recent years, but haven’t won the division since 2008. It’s safe to say neither of these teams is a threat to Buffalo.

The New England Patriots have done a good job rebuilding and seem to be on the up and up. With head coach Mike Vrabel and second-year QB Drake Maye, they’ve addressed all their needs. 2025 will be a fun year for the Patriots, but the Bills still run the East.

AFC South: Houston Texans

The AFC South is another division that feels like a one-team race. The Houston Texans’ impressive turnaround in 2023 turned them into a juggernaut in the division. They could have some competition in 2025, though.

The Tennessee Titans selected Miami QB Cam Ward first overall in the 2025 Draft. He might be the gunslinger they’re looking for, but the rest of the roster leaves a lot to be desired.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ new head coach, Liam Coen, did a great job as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, helping Baker Mayfield reach his potential. He looks to do the same with Trevor Lawrence in 2025. The Jags might be on a good track, but they’re not ready to take over the South.

The Indianapolis Colts’ QB carousel continues to spin, with Daniel Jones being named the Week 1 starter. They somehow won eight games last season, so they’re not a complete mess; they’re just nowhere close to dethroning Houston.

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

The AFC West might be a much closer race than it appears. The Kansas City Chiefs have won the division every year since 2016, pre-dating Patrick Mahomes. While 2025 will likely remain the same, this will be a closer race than they’re used to.

The Los Angeles Chargers are on the rise, but it feels like a crawl. Jim Harbaugh is trying to reshape the roster and the culture, and that doesn’t happen overnight. They’ve got talent, but they’re not a complete package yet.

The Las Vegas Raiders are in a complete rebuild, but they’re in the fun stage now. Pete Carroll is the new head coach, and he’s already shaking it up. He brought in QB Geno Smith and drafted the dominant Boise State running back, Ashton Jeanty. Vegas might be fun to watch this year, even if they’re not a threat.

The Denver Broncos were a huge surprise in 2024. Rookie QB Bo Nix seems to be exactly what Sean Payton was looking for. Their defense is terrifying, and they’ve only improved over the offseason. Kansas City is still the favorite, but Andy Reid might start stress eating some burgers soon.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

The AFC North goes through Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is arguably the NFL’s best QB, and they’ve upgraded on defense. Given the changes each team has made this offseason, it’s clear that the Ravens are still ahead of the pack.

The Cleveland Browns haven’t won the division since 1989, and they’re coming off a 3-14 season. They’ve made small moves to improve their roster, but nothing tide-changing. Expect them to place last in the North and earn a top-five draft pick.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going all-in on 2025, and in 2021, it would’ve been electrifying. Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith are among the names Pittsburgh brought in this offseason. They won’t be bad by any means, but they might not even place second in the division.

The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the best offenses in the NFL, but their defense is still abysmal. 2025 might be an improvement, but after only winning nine games last year, it’s hard to imagine they’ll make a huge leap.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

The NFC “Beast” is the most competitive division in the NFL, and it’s not close. They haven’t had a repeat division winner since the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004. After their dominant Super Bowl run, it’s fair to assume they’ll do it again in 2025.

The Dallas Cowboys are traditionally one of the stronger teams in the East. They have a new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, a work-in-progress of an offensive line, and a QB coming off a season-ending injury. They’re not a legitimate threat.

The New York Giants have been a laughing stock in the division for the better part of the last decade. They’ve made the playoffs once since 2016, and haven’t won the division since 2011. They finally seem to be on the right track, but they’re hardly an inconvenience for Philly at the moment.

One team has defeated the Eagles in the last 11 months, and they’ve only gotten better. With Terry McLaurin’s contract finally sorted out, the Washington Commanders might be even more legitimate than last year. Philly is still hot, and it’s too early to bet against them.

NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The gap in the NFC South is smaller than it seems, but it doesn’t feel like it’s actually closing. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have run the division for four years, even doing so with a 10-7 record in 2024.

The New Orleans Saints are a complete and total mess. They’ve struggled in every phase of the game and are still without a legitimate starting QB. This team might have the first overall pick in 2026.

The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons have put together promising rosters, but they’re not close to competing. Bryce Young is just starting to grow in Carolina, and the Falcons are giving the keys to Michael Penix Jr., who has only started three games in the NFL.

Baker Mayfield has Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Bucky Irving, and Chris Godwin when he returns from injury. This division is Tampa’s, because they simply have the most complete roster.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

When healthy, the San Francisco 49ers are one of the best teams in the NFL. Injuries to all of their top stars have prevented them from winning the Super Bowl, despite making it twice in the last six years. The Rams snuck by and took the crown last year, but with only 10 wins.

The Seattle Seahawks could be a sneaky contender this year. They replaced Geno Smith and D.K. Metcalf with Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp. If they can play at the level they’ve already shown, the Seahawks could go on a strong run.

The Arizona Cardinals round out the division, but they’re not ready to take the West. The Los Angeles Rams have a great roster, but Matt Stafford’s back issue could be a problem during the season. If he’s not 100%, the Rams are at a massive disadvantage. 

If Stafford is healthy, and the Niners can keep players on the field, this is a two-team race. The Seahawks are a wild card at the moment, and will take time to grow. It might only come down to one game, but the Niners are bouncing back in 2025.

NFC North: Detroit Lions

No Ben Johnson, no Aaron Glenn, it doesn’t matter for the Detroit Lions, because Dan Campbell has built a winning team in the Motor City. The Lions have one of the best top-to-bottom rosters in the NFL, and the culture is undeniable.

The Chicago Bears are a sneaky good team in 2025, with the aforementioned Ben Johnson taking over as their head coach. He brings his genius schemes in hopes of turning Caleb Williams into a superstar. The Bears won five games in 2024; don’t be shocked if they nearly double that number.

The Minnesota Vikings have the most plug-and-play system in the NFL. Head coach Kevin O’Connell turned Sam Darnold into a $100 million QB in just one year. J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season but is now taking the reins. This season might fall squarely on his shoulders.

The Green Bay Packers pose the biggest threat to the Lions’ reign. Jordan Love is entering his third year as a starter, and he finally has a true WR1 in Matthew Golden. Green Bay’s biggest issue has been a lack of experience, as they have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL.

End Of My NFL Divisions Rant

While the NFL is extremely unpredictable, some things are more obvious than others. The Chiefs, Lions, Ravens, and Bills are some of the most dominant teams in the league. Other teams like the Rams, Buccaneers, and 49ers have dealt with major hurdles.