The Ultimate NFL 25/26 Season Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles are the defending champions entering the 2025-26 season, having won Super Bowl LIX 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs in February. With one of the best quarterbacks in the competition, Jalen Hurts, and one of the top offensive teams, allied with being one of the most physical sides out there, they could well come very close yet again. 

All eyes will be on their new offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo. The 44-year-old New Jersey native had been with five other NFL teams before joining the Eagles in 2021, where he held three different positions within the team before being promoted to his new role for this season. He may have plenty of experience coaching in this league, but he’s never called plays in the NFL before. 

This promises to be one of the most competitive seasons in years, with both Conferences having plenty of genuine Super Bowl contenders. Further proof of how tight things are is that there are currently four joint favourites to win, rather than a standout favourite. 

The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5th, with the Eagles hot favourites to beat the Dallas Cowboys. The Wild Card round of the Playoffs starts on January 10 with the Super Bowl scheduled for February 8th, 2026. 

Super Bowl Favourite Teams Breakdown

We told you there were four-joint favourites to go all the way, and here they are. The odds displayed are their average odds across the many NFL Betting Sites laying NFL Outright odds.

Philadelphia Eagles – 7/1

Last season’s performance: Champions 

Aggregate Performance (2020–2024)

Regular Season Record: 50 wins, 30 losses, one tie
Winning Percentage: Approximately .620 (62%) 

Strengths

Nine Eagles players featured in the NFL’s Top 100 list from 2025, perhaps not that surprising given they won it. That includes Saquon Barkley, who was ranked Number 1, and quarterback Jalen Hurts, ranked 19th. All nine are available for this season. 

Young defensive backs Quintyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJea will only improve this season, while Australian-born Jordan Mailata, at 6 ft 8 in and 365lb, will lead an elite defensive line. 

Weaknesses

An extremely tough schedule in the league will be a test for the defending champs, as will the transition to Patullo, the new offensive coordinator, following the departure of Kellen Moore to New Orleans. 

The loss of Milton Williams and Josh Sweat, who both operate on the defensive interior, to the Patriots and Cardinals, respectively, will do them no favours, either. 

Baltimore Ravens – 13/2

Last season’s performance: Lost in the AFC Championship Playoffs to the Chiefs 

Aggregate Performance (2020–2024)

Regular Season Record: 54 wins, 30 losses
Winning Percentage: Approximately .643 (64.3%) 

Strengths 

Continuity goes a long way in any sport, and they certainly have it with their coaching staff and the vast majority of their roster remaining at the team year after year. Their defence retained 10 of their 11 top players since last season, a rarity. 

That roster includes the premium-level QB, Lamar Jackson, a dual-threat player who has top-class receivers in Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, waiting for his pinpoint throws. Lamar Jackson should also be a significant consideration for you when picking your NFL Fantasy 2025 team.   

Weaknesses 

Legendary kicker Justin Tucker, who, among other achievements, holds the record for the longest field goal ever in the NFL at 66 yards, was released after 13 seasons at the franchise amid off-the-field allegations of inappropriate behaviour. 

His replacement, rookie Tyler Loop, will have big boots to fill.  A long-term injury to safety Ar’Darius Washington also leaves a big gap to fill. 

Buffalo Bills – 13/2

Last season’s performance: Lost in the AFC Championship Round to the Chiefs 

Aggregate Performance (2020–2024)

Total Wins: 61
Total Losses: 22
Regular Season Record: 61–22
Winning Percentage: .735, approximately 73.5%

Strengths 

A brilliant QB is always a good starting point, and they have one in Josh Allen, who is well supported by an offensive line that allowed just 14 sacks in 2024, elite numbers. They have no shortage of Playoff experience in recent years. In contrast, new signing Joey Bosa, a defensive end and former NFL defensive rookie of the year, will add some extra quality and raw power to the roster. 

Weaknesses 

A combination of suspension and injuries to the likes of Tre’Davious White and first-round pick Maxwell Hairston means they won’t be able to field their best side in the early rounds. The defence remains vulnerable, and while they consistently make the Playoffs, they struggle to advance deep once they get there.

Kansas City Chiefs – 17/2

Last season’s performance: Lost in the Super Bowl to the Eagles

Aggregate Performance (2020–2024)

Total Wins: 66

Total Losses: 18

Overall Record: 66-18

Winning Percentage: .785 (78.5%)

Strengths: 

The Chiefs’ record in making the Super Bowl in the last few years is head and shoulders above everyone else’s. Key to all this is QB Patrick Mahomes and Head Coach Andy Reid, who are unlikely to move anywhere for the foreseeable future, while the consistently strong Chris Jones continues to lead a formidable defensive front. Rashee Rice, the wide receiver, is improving year after year and a big season is expected of him.   

Weaknesses 

That man Rice is suspended for the first six games of the season after being jailed for a hit-and-run incident. High-profile tight end Travis Kelce isn’t quite the player he was, now aged 36, while the offensive line allowed Mahomes to be sacked 36 times last season, the most ever in his career. 

AFC Conference Breakdown & Playoff Predictions

Let’s have a look at what might happen in the four AFC division. 

AFC East

The Buffalo Bills are expected to dominate the AFC East, aiming for a sixth consecutive division title behind star quarterback Josh Allen, a top-tier offence, and a bolstered defence with new additions like Joey Bosa and Tre’Davious White. 

We have them down for 13 regular-season wins. The continuity at the Ravens suggests they could finish second to the Bills. 

At the other end of the scale, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets could be among the season’s strugglers. 

AFC North

This could come down to a two-horse race between the Ravens and the Bengals. 

The Ravens’ top-class trio of MVP-calibre quarterback Lamar Jackson, power back Derrick Henry, and offensive weapon DeAndre Hopkins, all supported by a revitalised defence, should win plenty of games on their own. The Bengals have the quality to bounce back after a disappointing season.  

The Pittsburgh Steelers could have a good season with their high-powered offence, but the Cleveland Browns have it all to do, and could be seen as easy opponents for the division’s favourites. 

AFC South 

The Houston Texans enter 2025 as clear favourites for their third straight AFC South title behind a dominant defence led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, with C.J. Stroud emerging at quarterback. Their restructured offensive line remains a critical concern, but we still expect them to top the division. Odds of around 34.0 on them winning the Super Bowl look to be on the generous side.  

Hot on their heels, the Indianapolis Colts present the most compelling challenge. Veteran QB Daniel ‘Dannyu Dimes’ Jones leads a team boosted by a strong run game and promising depth at TE and OL. 

At the other end of the table, the Tennessee Titans face another rebuilding year with rookie QB Cam Ward and a lack of depth across the roster; it could be a long, old season for them. 

AFC West

No surprises that we have the Chiefs down to top the division, given their outstanding recent record, but expect a strong challenge to their dominance from the Broncos. Rookie QB Bo Nix is one to keep an eye on, while a stout defence and visionary leadership from Sean Payton could make a big difference at key moments. The Los Angeles Chargers could be a good bet for a Wildcard place. 

The Las Vegas Raiders could be among the poorer teams with a roster lacking star quality and depth, so you can see there won’t be many takers of them winning the Super Bowl, at odds of around 75.0. 

Playoff Field Prediction:

Remember that all our predictions in this article are just that: predictions. The NFL is a volatile, unpredictable league, and though we’ve spent plenty of time analysing all relevant angles, there are no certainties when it comes to betting on the NFL. 

1. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
2. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
4. Houston Texans (9-8)
5. Denver Broncos (11-6) – Wild Card
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) – Wild Card
7. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) – Wild Card

AFC Championship Prediction: Bills vs Ravens

NFC Conference Breakdown & Playoff Predictions 

And now let’s consider what might happen in the NFC Conference. 

NFC East

Given the Eagles are among the four joint-favourites to go all the way, it’s no surprise they’re hot favourites at around the 1.6 mark to win the Division. 

The jury is out as regards the Washington Commanders, some feeling QB Jaden Daniels can inspire a strong season, others pointing to a vulnerable defence as cause for concern; we think they can finish second, if not realistically challenge the Chiefs. 

There’s room for improvement at the New York Giants, and we may just see some, now that they have a better QB and improved other areas of their roster in the off-season. 

The loss of the traded Micah Parsons could leave the Dallas Cowboys with an uphill task. 

NFC North 

The Detroit Lions return as clear favourites in the NFC North after a franchise-best 15–2 record in 2024. There are no concerns about offence, but a lack of depth in defence has been highlighted by the experts. But we still think they’ll top the division. And this despite a strong challenge from the Green Bay Packers, the very team that acquired Micah Parsons. Don’t forget about Parsons when it comes to compiling your NFL Fantasy team.  

The Minnesota Kings were excellent last season, going 14-3, but it will be very hard to replicate last year’s efforts.   

NFC South

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South for the past four years, so it would be no surprise if they made that five. That is, unless rookie QB Caleb Williams can find his feet quickly in the NFL, in which case the Carolina Panthers could come close. The Panthers are 5.5 to top the Division; the Buccaneers read hot favourites at 1.9. 

The New Orleans Saints are now under Head Coach Kellen Moore, but have plenty of work to do to improve on a 5-12 record from last season. 

NFC West

This could well come down to a shoot-out between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, who are at odds of 2.5 and 3.0, respectively, to top the Division. At a slightly bigger 5.0, you can back the Arizona Cardinals to win the Division, with much depending on Quarterback Kyle Murray and whether a young defence can hold their ground.  

The well-balanced Seattle Seahawks are out at 6.0 to win this Division under Head Coach Mike McDonald, but could be the surprise package and possible Wildcard contenders.  

Playoff Field Prediction:

And here’s our Playoff prediction for the NFC Division in 2025. 

1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)
2. Chicago Bears (11-6)
3. Los Angeles Rams (11-6)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
5. San Francisco 49ers (11-6) – Wild Card
6. Green Bay Packers (10-7) – Wild Card
7. Detroit Lions (9-8) – Wild Card

NFC Championship Prediction: Eagles vs Bears

Super Bowl LX Prediction & Key Storylines 

The betting may have this season as a four-horse race, but if you’re going to have just the one wager on it, you could do a lot worse than back the Philadelphia Eagles for back-to-back titles. We saw with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and 2023 that once you’ve won the Super Bowl, you get the taste for it, and to an extent, past experiences help you the second time around.  

Their most likely opponents in the Super Bowl could be the Buffalo Bills, where QB Josh Allen is extremely well-protected by a best-in-class offensive line. The Bills may well see this season as the end of an era with an ageing core of players and a last chance for this group of players to go all the way, so that’s added motivation, as if any was needed.   

However, even if they do make the Super Bowl, we’d expect the Eagles to prevail. 

Away from the big showdown, it’s worth following the progress of young and talented QBs in C.J. Stroud, Jayden Daniels, and Brock Purdy, potentially stealing the limelight from more established QBs, who are reaching the twilight of their careers.

Micah Parsons’ move to the Green Bay Packers was arguably the most significant of the offseason, and the defensive end could have a massive impact at his new franchise, so his progress is worth monitoring, too. 

This season also marks the first time in history that seven matches will be played overseas, as the NFL’s global popularity and reach continue to grow.