We made it. The 2025 NFL season kicks off tonight between the Cowboys and the Eagles. Check out my Week 1 power rankings for a quick overview of every team in the league, but our 2025 season preview focuses on playoff picks, award picks, and a Super Bowl LX prediction. Also, be sure to check out our NFL content before kickoff and all season long:
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2025 NFL Playoff Picks
AFC
1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Denver Broncos
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Los Angeles Chargers
NFC
1. Detroit Lions
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Los Angeles Rams
6. Green Bay Packers
7. Seattle Seahawks
AFC Playoff Notes
I’ll start by saying that I initially had the Texans winning the AFC South again, but having the same seven playoff teams in the AFC seems crazy. The offensive line of the Colts must hold up, but I think they (or the Jaguars) can make a serious push as the Texans transition to a new offense. That said, I wouldn’t be shocked if Houston makes a Super Bowl run given how C.J. Stroud has showed up in big games early in his career. But Daniel Jones is now in a better spot to have success with Indy.
It would be stunning if the Ravens, Bills, or Chiefs miss the playoffs—so not much explanation is necessary for those as the top three seeds in the conference. That said, I have Kansas City as the No. 3 seed in part because I believe Denver and Los Angeles have a real shot to push them in the AFC West. The Broncos might match up well with them (not sure if they have the firepower versus Buffalo and Baltimore, but if the KC offense doesn’t return to form and light it up again those matchups could be tight), and they’re a worthy trendy Super Bowl pick.
Ultimately, I think we could see a musical chairs among the Broncos, Chargers, Steelers, Bengals, and perhaps one or two other teams—e.g., the Texans if they don’t win their division—for the wild card spots in the conference (not saying those teams can’t push for division titles), like last year when Cincy just couldn’t catch up from a slow start.
NFC Playoff Notes
The expectation for me is that the Eagles and Lions remain the class of the NFC and the top two seeds. There might be a collision course in the postseason. In the NFC South, I like the Bucs just narrowly over the Falcons—keep an eye on rookie edge defenders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. for Atlanta.
The Commanders are an obvious omission from the NFC playoffs, but it’s so tough to fit every potential playoff squad in—and I initially considered leaving the Packers out… until they acquired Micah Parsons. Washington’s schedule looks challenging, and they’re relying on a bunch of veteran pieces (some which already helped set a winning foundation last year). Green Bay also edges out the Vikings (J.J. McCarthy uncertainty, though he’s in the spot to have success) and Bears (it’s probably just a matter of when Ben Johnson gets them on track) for a second playoff spot among NFC North teams.
I think the NFC West is going to have four strong teams; it won’t be a surprise if any of them win it or if any of them miss the postseason entirely. I’m going with the Rams and 49ers with definite Super Bowl upside, and the Seahawks with Klint Kubiak as the new offensive coordinator, as three teams making it from the division—but the Cardinals can also win double-digit games if the defense is a force.
Super Bowl LX Pick
Detroit Lions over Baltimore Ravens
My first instinct was Bills-Eagles, and that was my last instinct that I almost switched back to. But I’ll go with the Lions winning their first Super Bowl in a thriller over the Ravens. Derrick Henry can be a great differentiator in the playoffs, and the Lions have been knocking on the door of their ultimate mission and goal for a few years now (remember, they had a 17-point halftime lead in the NFC title game a couple of postseasons ago while bursting onto the scene as a possible NFL juggernaut). I think this matchup would be a fresh one for fans—and a lot closer than the 38-6 blowout in favor of Baltimore a couple of seasons ago, with Detroit’s underrated superstar power across the roster getting them their first Lombardi Trophy.
Award Picks
MVP: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
I was between Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts as my three top MVP candidates—with Jared Goff as a sleeper pick if the Lions do get the NFC’s top seed and have a No. 1 scoring offense again, and Bo Nix as a darkhorse—but I’ll go with Jackson putting up crazy numbers again after throwing 41 touchdowns (compared to four interceptions) last year while adding four scores on the ground. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken says he thinks Jackson can take even another step forward.
Offensive Player of the Year: Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
Health cooperating, does anyone understand why people think Saquon Barkley is suddenly going to not produce at an extraordinary level again this season? The Eagles offensive line should remain elite despite losing Mekhi Becton, and Barkley could put up similar numbers to last year with his ability to break long runs. Jahmyr Gibbs and Derrick Henry are two other options at running back, but I’ll go with Barkley behind what’s probably the best offensive line.
Defensive Player of the Year: Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson
The talk is that Aidan Hutchinson is performing like a machine coming off his leg injury, as he reportedly looks even more explosive with more added to his game. Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks in just five games in 2024, and the group around him is better.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
Cameron Ward is a Week 1 starter and the obvious option at quarterback to take Offensive Rookie of the Year. I’m going with Ashton Jeanty getting fed the rock for a Pete Carroll led team in a Chip Kelly coordinated offense. Jeanty might be among the NFL’s leaders in touches as a rookie.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jaguars CB Travis Hunter
Giants rookie Abdul Carter is the heavy favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but the selection of Travis Hunter is with the expectation that he eventually gets a ton of reps on defense. Hunter has great playmaking ability at cornerback to turn the ball over, and his ability to play both ways should prove to be highly impressive.
Comeback Player of the Year: Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
If Hutchinson is the DPOY, you can probably lock it in that he’s the Comeback Player of the Year—unless someone like Dak Prescott lights it up and voters want to split things or something.
Protector of the Year: 49ers OT Trent Williams
Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins was the one who pushed most to make Protector of the Year a reality, and he’ll likely be in the mix—but I went back and forth between Lions right tackle Penei Sewell (now facing Micah Parsons twice a year) and 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. My pick is Williams staying healthy and helping the Niners get back on track as the first winner of Protector of the Year on the blindside.
Coach of the Year: Lions HC Dan Campbell
In terms of the odds, coaches of some of the top teams in the league are seen as longshots to win Coach of the Year. But the honor has gone to coaches who have led their teams to top records in past years, and that would likely be the case in 2025 if Detroit takes the No. 1 seed in the NFC given that the Packers are now the betting favorites in the division after acquiring Micah Parsons. Replacing two coordinators, Campbell would be a good bet if the Lions keep it rolling this season.