Mike’s 2025 Crystal Ball NFL Predictions

Mike’s 2025 Crystal Ball NFL Predictions

We are days away from the start of the 2025 NFL season, which means it’s that time of year. That’s right; it’s time for me to break out my crystal ball and look into the future to tell you how things will unfold and share my 2025 NFL season predictions.

Regarding the Dolphins, I think this is an interesting season. The national media is very down on this year’s team, while the fan base, for the most part, is fully invested and believes they can make the playoffs and possibly win a playoff game.

Who is right? Well, my crystal ball will let us know shortly.

My picks and predictions last season weren’t too shabby. I did have Kansas City in the Super Bowl representing the AFC, and if not for some injuries, my Lions pick to make the big game may have been accurate as well.

To correct that problem, I upgraded and got a brand-new crystal ball. That’s right. I now have the Quartz Clear Crystal Super-Sphere 9900, the Cadillac of Crystal balls. And what I see for the upcoming 2025 season is coming into clear focus.

Oh yes, my crystal ball never lies…. never!

AFC East

Buffalo: This team will likely secure the division by Veterans Day in early November. They are the class of the division, and the other three teams aren’t a serious threat to them.

New England: I like the defense a lot, I think their head coach is one of the better ones in the league, and I think Drake Maye is the real deal. They lack offensive firepower, but they will improve and take a step this season, but fall short of making the playoffs.

Miami: Sorry, Dolphins fans, I (and my crystal ball) gotta side with the National Media on the projection for this season. I don’t trust the secondary. I don’t trust Tua to stay healthy. I don’t trust the offensive line (yet). And I don’t trust Mike McDaniel as a legitimate NFL head coach. Look at the bright side, though, you’re gonna finish higher than the Jets, and a year from now, you will probably have a new head coach, GM, and quarterback.

NY Jets: I think Aaron Glenn is the right man for the job, and they have some young pieces, but they are still two years away at least from fighting for a playoff spot.

AFC North

Baltimore: They are on a mission from god. The regular season means nothing to them; they have eyes on the postseason. This team, I think, will be totally locked in and ready to kick ass and take no prisoners in 2025.

Pittsburgh (WILD CARD): Yeah, I’m buying into Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers. I think it’s one last ride for Rodgers and with Metcalf, a good rookie running back, and TJ Watt, this team will surprise a few folks.

Cincinnati (WILD CARD): Burrow and that offense is great, but that defense is bowling shoe ugly. My crystal ball is sometimes Captain Obvious, I know. With that said I think they find a way to get that final wild card spot in the AFC as I am not as sold on all those teams out west as others are.

Cleveland: Yeah, they suck, and the first six games on their schedule are impossible even if they were a good team. Lucky for them, they hold their own 1st round pick and Jacksonville’s (who also will suck). They are already looking forward to the final week of April 2026; let’s just be honest about it.

AFC South

Houston: I don’t like this pick, but the other three teams are hot garbage. So, Houston wins by default. Mixon may miss the entire season, one legit WR in my opinion, and Stroud had only 20 TDs to 12 INTs last season. Not impressive.

Indianapolis: I’m not going to sit here and say Daniel Jones is great, but he isn’t as bad as some say he is. In this division, that is good enough for just under .500 and 2nd place.

Tennessee: Only because I think Jacksonville is worse.

Jacksonville: They will regret trading away their 1st round pick in next year’s draft.

AFC West

Kansas City: Until someone knocks them off, they are still the king of the hill. Mahomes, Kelce, Reid….that’s all they need. It may not be as great as it once was, but it’s still damn good.

Denver (WILD CARD): Sean Payton is a future Hall of Fame coach. I was shocked that Bo Nix was decent last year, but he was, and I am a BOliever now. The defense is solid, the WRs are good, and the running backs are good enough. This is a good team.

Las Vegas: Sneaky better team than people are giving them credit for. I don’t think they will come in last.

LA Chargers: They want to run the ball and play defense, but the problem is, it isn’t 1988 anymore. Losing their left tackle hurts; having no WRs that put fear into you hurts more.

NFC East

Philadelphia: The Eagles are still loaded and have arguably the best coaching staff top to bottom in the entire NFL, to go with the best front office in the whole NFL.

Washington (WILD CARD): Jayden Daniels is for real, and I have said and stand by that they will play in a Super Bowl before his rookie contract is up.

Dallas: Kind of like Miami, they are in a “reset” year, so to speak. They won’t be awful, but they aren’t a playoff team.

NY Giants: Worst team in the division, and their schedule is impossible, but I think their defense will be really good, and they will lose a bunch of 17-6 type of games.

NFC North

Detroit: This team has it all; they just need to stay healthy, which is something they struggled with last season. I love their offense. If their defense improves just a little, watch out.

Green Bay (WILD CARD): Adding Parsons helps. It helps a lot. The Packers have a great running game and good enough receivers, and I think Parsons makes them a legit contender to get to the Super Bowl in the NFC. I believe in Love as well.

Chicago: Big step for the Bears this season with a first-time head coach. I believe we see the Caleb Williams this year that everyone expected to see last year. This is a team on the rise.

Minnesota: Yeah, I’m not sure JJ McCarthy is the real deal. I need to see it. At Michigan, it was run the ball and play defense; in the NFL, he can’t hide behind that.

NFC South

Tampa Bay: Best team in the division by a mile. Not even close. If there is one team that may be playing on Championship weekend with a chance to go to the Super Bowl that nobody is talking about, its this team.

Atlanta: They got some young pieces, but I don’t believe in the head coach, and that defense is scary bad.

Carolina: They still stink, but I think Bryce Young improves at QB.

New Orleans: The worst team in the entire NFL, and will hold the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

NFC West

San Francisco: I’m all in. Easy schedule, the roster still has a lot of talent, and great coaching. People aren’t talking about this team enough; they still have “it.” This team is totally flying under the radar of everyone, and I would not be shocked if they are in the NFC Championship game with a chance to go to the Super Bowl.

LA Rams (WILD CARD): It all comes down to Matthew Stafford’s health, but I think he has one more year left in him. I love the offensive weapons, and they have done a nice job rebuilding the defense.

Arizona: This team is just a piece or two away from being a contender in the NFC.

Seattle: Sam Darnold was outstanding last year in Minnesota; unfortunately for him, he has far less talent around him in Seattle. They won’t be bad, but in this tough division, they will struggle.

AFC Championship Game: Baltimore over Kansas City

NFC Championship Game: Detroit over Philadelphia

Super Bowl: Baltimore over Detroit

This is the year the Ravens and Lamar Jackson get over the hump and take down the mighty Kansas City Chiefs. I think the heartbreaking loss last year in Buffalo in the playoffs will fuel this team the entire season and propel them to Super Bowl Champions.