Predicting the NFL season is a bit like trying to catch a greased pig—just when you think you’ve got a handle on it, everything slips through your fingers. And boy, did the 2025 NFL season prove that point. We thought we had it all figured out, but the Seahawks blindsided us, while the Jets… well, let’s just say we called that one. But here’s where it gets controversial: did anyone truly see the rise of Drake Maye or the resurgence of Matthew Stafford? Let’s dive into our 2025 NFL predictions, revisit the hits (few) and misses (many), and explore the wild ride that was this season.
The Bold and the Blunders
Our September headline—Will it be Mahomes, Jackson, or Allen in the Super Bowl?—was the ultimate hedge. We figured one of them had to make it out of the AFC, right? Wrong. Instead, we got Mike Vrabel’s miraculous turnaround in New England, the Bears’ worst-to-first leap in the NFC North, and Daniel Jones’s fleeting first-half magic. Oh, and let’s not forget the unexpected pairing of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Sam Darnold that somehow worked. Aside from predicting the Jets’ annual disaster, our crystal balls were more like cloudy marbles.
But here’s the part most people miss: the 2025 season wasn’t just about upsets—it was about the stories we never saw coming. Like Stafford’s MVP campaign at 37. Or Maye’s breakout season that had us all questioning our quarterback rankings. Time to take a deep breath, grab a security blanket, and revisit our predictions. (You can read the full, cringe-worthy originals here.)
Best Team Who Won’t Make the Playoffs
What we said: The Rams would miss the playoffs due to Matthew Stafford’s injury-prone back, and Washington would thrive under Jayden Daniels. We also thought the Bengals, with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, would be contenders. (Yes, we assumed Burrow would stay healthy. Spoiler: he didn’t.)
What actually happened: Stafford didn’t just stay healthy—he won MVP. The Rams went 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship. Meanwhile, Burrow’s turf toe ended his season after two weeks, and Daniels’s injuries limited him to four full games. Washington was out by Week 14. Bold question: Did we underestimate Stafford’s resilience, or did we overestimate the impact of injuries on other teams?
MVP Race
What we said: Lamar Jackson’s revenge tour was a lock, with Josh Allen, Mahomes, and Daniels as contenders. Stafford? Not even on the radar.
What actually happened: Stafford vs. Maye was the closest MVP race since 2003, with Stafford edging out. Of our predictions, only Allen finished in the top five. Controversial take: Did we overlook veteran quarterbacks in favor of flashier names?
Rookie to Watch
What we said: Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) and Abdul Carter (Giants) were our top picks. We also mentioned Cam Ward as a potential surprise.
What actually happened: Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers) won Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Carson Schwesinger (Browns) took defensive honors. Carter had a slow start, Ward was sacked 55 times, and Jeanty, while productive, couldn’t carry the Raiders alone. Thought-provoking question: Do we overhype certain rookies based on college performance, or is it just the nature of the NFL beast?
Division Deep Dives
AFC East: We called Buffalo a lock. Instead, New England stole the division, and the Jets went interception-less. Bold statement: Did we underestimate the Patriots’ rebuild, or did Buffalo just collapse?
AFC North: We crowned the Ravens. Instead, Pittsburgh took the division, and Baltimore missed the playoffs. Controversial interpretation: Was Jackson’s inconsistency the Ravens’ downfall, or was it their defense?
AFC South: We picked the Texans. Jacksonville, under Liam Coen, won the division. Question for the audience: Did we sleep on the Jags’ potential, or did they just exceed all expectations?
AFC West: We split between the Chiefs and Broncos. Denver ended Kansas City’s reign, thanks to Bo Nix and a dominant defense. Counterpoint: Was this Denver’s rise or Kansas City’s fall?
NFC East: We swept for the Eagles, who won but underwhelmed. Bold question: Is Philadelphia’s roster as foolproof as we thought?
NFC North: We picked Green Bay. Chicago, led by Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, took the title. Controversial take: Did we underestimate Johnson’s coaching impact?
NFC South: We favored the Buccaneers. The Panthers, at 8-9, won the division. Thought-provoking question: Was this the weakest division in NFL history?
NFC West: We predicted a four-way battle. The Seahawks dominated, with Stafford and Purdy leading the Rams and 49ers to 12-5 records. Bold statement: Did we underestimate Seattle’s defense, or did they just exceed all expectations?
Super Bowl Surprise
What we said: Ravens vs. Packers, Broncos vs. Packers, Eagles vs. Bills, and more. None of it came close.
What actually happened: Seattle vs. New England. The Seahawks’ 29-13 win was a defensive masterclass, but no one saw it coming. Final question for the audience: Were our predictions just off, or did the 2025 season rewrite the NFL playbook entirely?
As we roll back the clock, one thing’s clear: predicting the NFL is an art, not a science. And sometimes, even the experts get it spectacularly wrong. What’s your take? Did we miss the obvious, or was 2025 just that unpredictable?
