Three NFL teams facing Super Bowl-or-bust expectations in 2025

Saying a team is facing championship-or-bust expectations is a dangerous game. The odds are always stacked against any one team, no matter how talented they are, and every season ends with one team hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

However, that doesn't stop fans from placing those expectations on their respective teams each year, particularly those with a track record of recent consistent success.

Let's take a closer look at three teams that stand out as having that championship-or-bust mentality. 

Buffalo Bills

The Bills are near the top of the Super Bowl-or-bust list.

They have been one of the NFL's best teams for the last six years, with quarterback Josh Allen leading the way and a strong defense.

Still, Buffalo hasn't been able to break through and reach its first Super Bowl since 1993. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have repeatedly stood in their way.

The Bills are searching for their first-ever Super Bowl title. Allen's tenure has seen the second-best stretch of success in franchise history, and if any group is going to get it done, it should be this one. 

The pressure isn't just on Buffalo as a team; it's also on Allen. 

Fair or not, quarterbacks are generally measured by rings — Allen needs his.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are in a nearly identical situation to the Bills.

Consistent contender, top-tier quarterback, strong defense and always sky-high expectations, but the Ravens have had even less playoff success in recent years than the Bills have. Baltimore has reached just one conference championship game during Lamar Jackson's career, having won just three total playoff games over the past seven seasons.

Their playoff track record does not match the talent level or regular-season success the Ravens have had.

Like Allen, Jackson must reach a Super Bowl to fortify his legacy in the NFL, and it's hard to imagine the roster surrounding him getting better than it is now.

Detroit Lions

The pressure on the Lions isn't quite the same as the Bills or Ravens, mainly because they are a relatively new contender in the NFL.

They have made the playoffs two years in a row with their current core and haven't consistently fallen short in the playoffs the way Buffalo and Baltimore have.

That doesn't mean expectations shouldn't be high.

Not only are the Lions one of the NFL's darlings right now, given head coach Dan Campbell's personality, the creativity of the offense and talent on the roster, but they have been knocking on the door of a championship.

They blew a three-score lead in the NFC Championship game two years ago to the San Francisco 49ers. Detroit followed that up by finishing with the NFL's best record in 2024 at 15-2, but did not win a single playoff game, losing 45-31 to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round.

The Lions, who have yet to appear in a Super Bowl, have never really had to deal with expectations throughout their history — they are now.