Preseason Top 10
(1) Philadelphia Eagles
The defending Super Bowl champions come into 2025 with arguably the league’s deepest and most balanced roster. Jalen Hurts and this elite run game, lead by Madden Cover man Saquan Barkley, remains their offensive identity complemented by a dynamic WR group to balance out this exciting offense. Defensively, led by superstar Jalen Carter, I expect this defensive unit to take a slight step back but still to be formidable. This is the leagues best team and an easy #1 on this list.
(2) Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is positioned once again as a legitimate AFC contender. Lamar Jackson is still one of the NFL’s most dangerous players, Derrick Henry keeps defying Father Time and the defense added Jaire Alexander and Malaki Starks to this already talented secondary, this team freaking stacked. Their biggest challenge could be their brutal early schedule, which includes matchups against the Bills, Lions, Chiefs, Texans, and Rams however I expect this team to be the #1 seed in the AFC and they land at #2. Also, Lamar Jackson should’ve won MVP last year, just saying.
(3) Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs will remain a Super Bowl contender and top 3 on my list just by having Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid but cracks in the dynasty are beginning to show. With key players aging or leaving in free agency and the AFC West becoming more competitive, this might be the first year that AFC West title is truly up for grabs. That being said, I do trust the brain trust of HC Andy Reid, DC Steve Spagnuolo and GM Brett Veach to put together a competitive roster in spite of the lack on talent on paper. The incoming suspension of talented WR Rashee Rice will hurt their offense, I fully expect and trust this offense and Patrick Mahomes to do enough to win 10+ games and for their defense to remain a playoff ready unit. They land at #3.
(4) Buffalo Bills
Buffalo enters 2025 with one of the most complete rosters in football and sits firmly in the top 5 of my power rankings. 2025 MVP Josh Allen remains one of the best in the game and the Bills have retooled both their defensive line and offensive depth. Although the AFC East will be more competitive than in years past, Buffalo’s combination of experience, talent, and versatility makes them a legitimate threat to challenge the Chiefs and Ravens for the #1 seed in the AFC.
(5) Detroit Lions
Coming off a historic 15-2 season, the Lions are now face a new challenge… HEAVY EXPECTATIONS. Dan Campbell’s squad has become a model of toughness and execution but their 2025 schedule is daunting, especially the road schedule where they face eight opponents who had winning records last season. Not to mention both their coordinators, Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson, leaving to become HC’s, I worry about this team’s production in 2025. Their defense does however get a huge boast with Aiden Hutchinson returning from injury and replacing Carl Davis with DJ Reed, for 10 million dollars cheaper by the way, is just incredible. All that being said, I have questions about this team but with Dan Campbell they’ll always have a shot at returning to the NFC Championship but pump the brakes on them having another 15 win season.
(6) Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ 2025 outlook hinges heavily on Matthew Stafford’s health. Without Stafford, this team’s ceiling drops tremendously. That said, the roster has improved and veteran leadership combined with young talent gives them a solid foundation to compete in 2025. I expect 2024 1st round pick Jared Verse to be in the DPOY conversation this year and new addition Davonte Adams to fit into this offense like a glove. When healthy, this team can compete with anyone. Give them a healthy-ish Stafford and this team might be in the Super Bowl.
(7) Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are an intriguing wild card entering 2025, largely because to their quarterback. J.J. McCarthy was out for all of last season but comes to a team that was crafted specifically to make it as easy as possible to play QB. I love the additions this team made along the offensive and defensive line but this whole thing hinges on the young qb JJ McCarthy. He’s truly been given the keys to a Ferrari and just needs to not crash it. With the NFC North is loaded with contenders, Minnesota’s playoff hopes will depend on how quickly McCarthy can become a legit starting quarterback.
(8) Denver Broncos
Denver might be the biggest dark horse in the NFL this year. USA Today has projected them to win the AFC West at 12-5, their best mark since the Peyton Manning era. Sean Payton has reshaped this roster in his image and DPOY Pat Surtain anchors a defense that could be one of the league’s best yet again. If Bo Nix can take the next step and this defense can stay dominant, they could be the leagues biggest wildcard team and a sneaky AFC title contender.
(9) Green Bay Packers
The Packers are an interesting team to breakdown starting with quarterback. I like Jordan Love but I also don’t love Jordan Love. He can play sporadic at times but when he’s on he can keep up with anyone. He also struggles with injury, so I’m hoping this year he could finally stay healthy and show the league and the Green Bay Packers what he’s fully capable of. The offensive players continue to develop and with the addition of 1st round WR Matthew Golden I expect more production out of Green Bay’s pass catchers which can only help Jordan Love. Defensively, they do need a star to emerge on the defensive line for me to take them as a top 5-10 unit. I think this team is a solid contender and belongs on anyone’s top 10.
(10) Washington Commanders
Washington’s optimism centers on superstar QB Jayden Daniels, who single-handedly brought the Washington Commanders entire franchise out of the crapper. Adding Deebo Samuel is ok but not signing Terry McLaurin to an extension is just plain stupid and hurts this team tremendously. Not giving Jayden Daniels a true #1 receiving option doesn’t only hurt their lofty expectations but might hurt the development of their star QB. The depth behind McLaurin doesn’t inspire confidence but adding Tunsil is nice and was a very mature move for the Commanders. This team is the top 10 unit but questions at WR and on defense as a whole still remain unanswered and bothersome but still they belong in the top 10.
