Rob's Always Fearless, Always Wrong NFL Predictions: 2025 Edition

Here we go again. The annual exercise in futility. Sneaking this in after the opening two games and before the now-ruined NFL RedZone experience returns (the thrill is gone!).

NFC:

NFC EAST:

1) Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): They lost a lot of their defense to bigger paydays, but they also know in recent years how to replace them. Now, if they can stop them from spitting on opposing quarterbacks when everyone is looking.....

2) Washington Commanders (8-9): And back to earth. There will be a second year slump, in part because I'm perplexed by their running back room. Has there really been anything done methodically to ensure an improved defense?

3) Dallas Cowboys (6-11): I think it's time to consider that, even though he has shown his talent, Dax Prescott may be challenging Tony Romo to be the most underperforming quarterback in the franchise's 65 year history when it comes to the bottom line: winning. At least Don Meredith had them yards away from vanquishing the Packers and Danny White played in three NFC Championship games in a row.

4) New York Giants (5-12): Don't let the record fool you. Jaxson Dart will get a chance to prove himself worthy of being the future. Malik Nabers is for real. The defense will not be, and, probably two years too late, there will be a coaching change.

NFC NORTH:

1) Detroit Lions (14-3): The beat (or roar?) goes on. Everyone is jumping on the Packers' bandwagon, and, while they'll be good, I've never seen national pundits leave a team so fast because their coordinators left to become head coaches elsewhere. Dan Campbell is still there (when he's not at Applebee's). Aidan Hutchinson is back. The Lions aren't going anywhere.

2) Green Bay Packers (13-4): But the Pack will be hot on their heels. The Micah Parsons trade only pays dividends if he can stay healthy and he's already in need of back injections for Week 1. Now, my back injection from January, 2024 is still providing wonderful relief, but, I also don't go out and try to tackle grown men, either. 

3) Minnesota Vikings (9-8): J.J. McCarthy finally gets to play a down that matters Monday night. He's got unrealistic expectations surrounding him. I just hope he doesn't let that implode him. He seems confident, he's got talent, but man, if you start 0-3, don't ride him out of town!

4) Chicago Bears (6-11): Not yet. It will take Ben Johnson some time, which includes continuing to get his type of players on the roster. I think Caleb Williams take a big step up this season, but several one-score losses do in the young Cubs.

NFC SOUTH:

1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-6): This is my oldest grandson's favorite team. Need I say more?  :) :)

2) Carolina Panthers (9-8): My surprise NFC team in 2025. Bryce Young was quite an intriguing watch last year, especially after Thanksgiving. If they can get back to doing what this franchise does best, keep pounding, a good running game and defense is just the ticket for Young to be in position to do what he needs to do to facilitate wins.

3) Atlanta Falcons (7-10): Does anyone know why the Falcons have won exactly seven games in five of the last seven seasons? Is it because Home Depot is open daily from 7 to 10 or something?

4) New Orleans Saints (2-15): Nearing the deadline, Alvin Kamara has been traded to....and with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft......

NFC WEST:

1) San Francisco 49ers (10-7): What a muddled division! I'm taking the Niners because I think Brock Purdy can stay more healthy than Matthew Stafford can. And because they are my son and my granddaughter's favorite team.  :)

2) Los Angeles Rams (10-7): However, I do think the Rams can sneak into the postseason in what will unfold as a "parity year" across the league. Even without Cooper Kupp.

3) Seattle Seahawks (8-9): The Sam Darnold experiment comes tantalizingly close to success, but losses to the Rams and Niners in the division do them in.

4) Arizona Cardinals (6-11): I love the Cardinals strictly from an outside looking in point of view. I'm always rooting for Greg Dortch. But, after sticking with him for years, I have to admit I think Kyler Murray peaked a few years ago.

NFC PLAYOFF SEEDS:

1 -- Detroit (Bye)

2 -- Philadelphia

3 -- Tampa Bay

4 -- San Francisco

5 -- Green Bay

6 -- LA Rams

7 -- Carolina

WILD CARD ROUND:

Philadelphia d. Carolina

Tampa Bay d. L.A. Rams

San Francisco d. Green Bay

DIVISIONAL ROUND:

Detroit d. San Francisco

Tampa Bay d. Philadelphia

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP:

Detroit d. Tampa Bay

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AFC:

AFC EAST:

1) Buffalo Bills (13-4): I mean, who else is there in this division? But if Josh Allen gets hurt, this division goes haywire. No team risks losing more than the Bills do if, for some reason, Allen is lost for the season.

2) New England Patriots (7-10): I'm not going crazy about Mike Vrabel like some national pundits are, but he knows how to coach up a football team (see what Tennessee has done since they let him go....). I'm not sold on Drake Maye, however. I hope Treyveon Henderson battles Tyler Warren for AFC Offensive Player of The Year!

3) New York Jets (6-11): Quarterback?

4) Miami Dolphins (4-13): The implosion goes nuclear on South Beach and Mike McDaniel is the first coaching casualty of 2025.

AFC NORTH:

1) Baltimore Ravens (12-5): We're getting to the point where Lamar Jackson needs to finally stamp his legacy with a season that doesn't end disappointingly sometime in January. Derrick Henry isn't getting any younger, either, but, unlike the Bills, if the Ravens lost Jackson, they have a better backup situation as well as, well, Henry. 

2) Cincinnati Bengals (10-7): Track meets anyone? If you like 45-38 football games, order Sunday Ticket and select Cincinnati. They have generational talent locked up on offense, and better lock in Trey Hendrickson long term. Soon. Show the people of Cincinnati, Mr. Brown, that you'll finally spend money! This defense last year should have been arrested and charged with impersonating a defense. Remember the 1981 San Francisco 49ers? It was their third season under former Cincinnati assistant coach Bill Walsh. Other than the highly touted Ronnie Lott out of USC, could you name the rest of their secondary? Nope. But that team found talent, and won a Super Bowl, kicking off their run as the team of the 1980's.

Why do I bring this up? Because if the Bengals can't scour the earth and find some young defensive studs on the cheap like Walsh (and others) have, get some new scouts! They have a new defensive coordinator. I hope it helps.....my daughter's favorite team.  :)

3) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8-1): This is it. Somehow, Mike Tomlin will avoid a losing season, but it will be his last with the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers is washed. DK Metcalf will be screaming he doesn't get the ball enough by Week 4. The defense can't do everything. After being such a horrible franchise up until 1970, Pittsburgh has a model of winning and consistency now for 55 years. But it's time for a change. They're spinning their wheels. That's not good enough in a town who has to suffer through the Pirates all summer. But, YES, they'll make the postseason. And lose again.

4) Cleveland Browns (3-13-1): Oh, boy. At least they'll tie the Steelers.

AFC SOUTH:

1) Houston Texans (9-8): Well, we're going to find out how good, and the height of the possible ceiling of, C.J. Stroud. They need a big season in the running game. Put the Texans in the AFC North of West and they are lucky to win six or seven.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-9): Trevor Lawrence. This is the year we fully discover he's no Mark Brunell. Or David Garrard. Or Byron Leftwich. 

3) Indianapolis Colts (5-12): Tough first season for my man Tyler Warren. This team will look so different in 2026 under Mike Tomlin....

4) Tennessee Titans (4-13): Cam Ward will be under pressure all season. By that, I mean running for his life.

AFC WEST:

1) Kansas City Chiefs (12-5): I don't care that they lost in Brazil. The Chiefs reign in this division until they are knocked off. Now, the Chargers are halfway there, but I think KC gets their comeuppance December 14th, sweeps the Broncos and Raiders, and wins the division again.

2) Los Angeles Chargers (10-7): Nice performance out of the gate. Can they keep doing it? Can they avoid the injury bug which has plagued them so much more than, say, the Chiefs, over the past couple of seasons?

3) Denver Broncos (8-9): Just like Jayden Daniels, I think year two for Bo Nix will be a sophomore slump. I don't buy the Sean Payton hype. He's a great coach! But I don't think he's got the roster quite yet. Maybe 2026.

4) Las Vegas Raiders (4-13): Seattle 2.0 is a bust in Sin City. And this is MY favorite team. :(

AFC PLAYOFF SEEDS:

1 -- Buffalo (Bye)

2 -- Baltimore

3 -- Kansas City

4 -- Houston

5 -- LA Chargers

6 -- Cincinnati

7 -- Pittsburgh

AFC WILD CARD ROUND:

Baltimore d. Pittsburgh (how appropriate)

Kansas City d. Cincinnati

L.A. Chargers d. Houston

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND:

Buffalo d. L.A. Chargers

Baltimore d. Kansas City

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP:

Baltimore d. Buffalo

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SUPER BOWL LX:

Jackson gets revenge two weeks prior over Allen from last postseason, then finally gets his moment to shine, outlasting Jared Goff, who makes the Big Game a second time but falls short.

Baltimore 28, Detroit 19

Enjoy the season, everyone!!!