Sportsnaut
The 2025 NFL season is still a few months away, but rosters are largely set as teams get to work in training camp. While injuries, training camp battles, and early signs from breakout players can influence a team’s outlook, now is a good time for some bold NFL predictions.
As training camp gets underway, we’re offering a few bold predictions for what could happen this season.
The Arizona Cardinals showed some early promise in 2024, with a four-game winning streak midway through the season that put them at 6-4 heading into the bye. They lost five of their next six games, finishing the year 8-9. It was a learning opportunity for a young team—one that is poised to take a big leap forward in 2025.
Arizona added significant talent on defense for head coach Jonathan Gannon, including Josh Sweat, Walter Nolen, and Dalvin Tomlinson. It’s enough of an improvement that, if rookie cornerback Will Johnson can stay healthy, this could be a top-15 defense.
Now pair that with an offense that finished 10th in EPA per Play (0.067) and seventh in yards per play (5.9), and you have a well-rounded team that could overtake both the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC West.
Finishing as the top-seeded NFC team can have a lot to do with the schedule you draw that year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might not be better than the Detroit Lions or Philadelphia Eagles in a head-to-head matchup. However, the Lions have six games against NFC North opponents and matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and the Eagles. Philadelphia has a much tougher schedule, but it’s reasonable to expect slight regression from the reigning Super Bowl champions.
That could clear a path for Tampa Bay to earn the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Buccaneers are strong enough to potentially sweep all six NFC South games. They should also be clear favorites against the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins. If Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers’ offense, one of the league’s best last season, can manage a few more wins against the Cardinals, Texans, and Rams, there is a realistic path to 12 or more wins and home-field advantage.
Jayden Daniels is an MVP-caliber quarterback, and the Washington Commanders did right by him this offseason with the additions of Deebo Samuel, Laremy Tunsil, and Josh Conerly Jr. We’re also confident Washington will work out a new extension with Terry McLaurin, avoiding a saga that could linger into the regular season. However, Washington experienced remarkable fortune last season to achieve a 12-win season.
The reality is that the Commanders’ roster is still league-average at best. The Commanders also face the NFC North this season, in addition to matchups against the Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and the Los Angeles Chargers. While we...
