With the 2025 NFL Season slowly approaching, let's predict the best-case scenario for all 32 teams for the upcoming campaign. Not every team will have their best-case scenario come to life in the 2025 NFL Season, as they would all probably say that the Super Bowl is the ideal accomplishment.
There are so many factors that can impact a team's performance in a given season. Injuries, regressions, progressions, and everything in between can dictate how a team performs. The 2025 NFL Season is still a few months away, but that won't stop us from rolling out each team's best case-scenario for the upcoming season.
NFL Predictions: Every team's best-case scenario for the 2025 season
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - AFC Championship Game appearance
There just isn't anything to say that the Baltimore Ravens have what it takes to make a Super Bowl run. They have gotten to the AFC Championship Game just one time in the Lamar Jackson era. That is their best-case scenario for 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals - Super Bowl victory
Cincinnati made the Super Bowl in the 2021 NFL Season and are elite enough on offense that they could win the whole thing in 2025, especially if the defense ends up surprising and being better than average, which is possible.
Cleveland Browns - Seven wins
Given the disastrous QB situation, the Cleveland Browns might have a path to about seven wins if one of the QBs, ideally Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel, shows some promise in year one.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Nine wins, no playoffs
At this point, the Pittsburgh Steelers have no shot at making the playoffs in the 2025 NFL Season, but them finishing with yet another winning record that does them no good is probably the best thing that they could accomplish.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans - Eight or nine wins, no playoffs
Rookie QB Cam Ward is going to take his lumps, and with a roster still lacking notable talent, the Tennessee Titans could squeeze out just eight or nine wins, at most.
Houston Texans - AFC Championship Game appearance
If the Houston Texans offensive line ends up protecting CJ Stroud well, they could ride an efficient offense and a punishing pass rush to the AFC Championship Game in the 2025 NFL Season.
Indianapolis Colts - Wild Card berth
I would not be surprised if Riley Leonard was already their best QB. The best-case scenario for the Indianapolis Colts is figuring out a way to earn a Wild Card spot with their QB room. They were in the playoff hunt last year for a little while.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Divisional Round appearance
Liam Coen brings immediate offensive stability, and Trevor Lawrence's full potential is unlocked as the Jacksonville Jaguars ride to the Divisional Round, a place they went back in 2022.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - Super Bowl victory
The Buffalo Bills have made it to two conference championship games in the Josh Allen era but may have what it takes to win Super Bowl 60 in the 2025 NFL Season. This is their best case-scenario.
New England Patriots - Wild Card berth
I love the New England Patriots as a frisky, fun team in 2025, If the stars align, they could win nine games and earn one of the Wild Card seeds in the AFC.
Miami Dolphins - One playoff win
The Miami Dolphins are a good team when Tua Tagovailoa is on the field and healthy. If he plays all 17 games and the defense isn't awful, Miami does have a path to a playoff victory in 2025.
New York Jets - Eight wins
Justin Fields is moderately productive and does not turn the ball over much in an eight-win season for the New York Jets.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs - Super Bowl victory
They've won three Super Bowls since the start of the 2019 NFL Season and could win yet another one in 2025 if they figure out their issues that doomed the 2024 season in the final game.
Denver Broncos - Divisional Round appearance
The Denver Broncos could win the AFC West in 2025 and make an appearance in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. They still might be another year away from making a Super Bowl push.
Los Angeles Chargers - Divisional Round appearance
Getting blown out in the Wild Card Round in 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers could advance to the next round in 2025 if all goes well. They did add some needed talent on offense this offseason.
Las Vegas Raiders - Wild Card berth
Geno Smith would have to play like he did back in 2022, and the Las Vegas Raiders run game would also have to take off if they hoped to clinch a Wild Card spot in the AFC.
NFC North
Detroit Lions - Super Bowl victory
With the best roster in the NFL when healthy, the Detroit Lions can win it all in 2025, but health is the big thing here.
Green Bay Packers - Super Bowl appearance
I am not sure the Packers are quite ready to win the Super Bowl, but I can see a scenario where they breakout and make the big game, at least.
Chicago Bears - Top Wild Card seed
The Chicago Bears could earn a Wild Card seed in 2025 with a stabilized offense and a much more controlled Caleb Williams.
Minnesota Vikings - Top Wild Card seed
JJ McCarthy finds immediate success as a de-facto rookie QB as the Minnesota Vikings earn a top Wild Card seed.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons 10 wins, NFC South title
Michael Penix Jr makes a notable year two jump and leads this talented Falcons roster to a 10-win season and the NFC South title.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Divisional Round appearance
I am not sure the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are quite good enough to advance past this round. They are the epitome of 'good not great.'
Carolina Panthers - Nine wins, Wild Card berth
Another team who can be quite frisky in 2025, the Carolina Panthers see Bryce Young become a franchise QB, as they win nine games and earn a Wild Card spot.
New Orleans Saints - Seven wins
An encouraging rookie season from Tyler Shough and competence from first-year head coach Kellen Moore could help the New Orleans Saints scrape together seven wins.
NFC East
Washington Commanders - Super Bowl victory
They were one game away from making the Super Bowl in 2024, so I do not see why they can't win it in 2025.
Philadelphia Eagles - Super Bowl victory
Ideally, the Philadelphia Eagles become the newest NFL franchise to win multiple Super Bowls in a row, avoiding the Super Bowl hangover.
Dallas Cowboys - Nine wins, Wild Card berth
The George Pickens-CeeDee Lamb wide receiver duo and a good defense is enough for the Dallas Cowboys to win nine games and earn a Wild Card seed in the NFC.
New York Giants - Eight or nine wins, no playoffs
Still a disaster of a team, the New York Giants could be carried by an elite pass rush and a QB in Russell Wilson who at least does not throw a ton of interceptions. The Giants could find a way to finish with a winning record in 2025.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams - Super Bowl victory
They won it all in 2021 and are built a lot more deeper and secure than they were a few seasons ago. The Rams have what it takes to win it all in 2025.
San Francisco 49ers - Wild Card berth
The roster is clearly undergoing some major change, so a Wild Card berth might be all they can muster in what would still be an encouraging season for the future.
Seattle Seahawks - Wild Card berth
Sam Darnold carries some of his 2024 season into 2025 and leads an average at best roster to a Wild Card seed in the NFC.
Arizona Cardinals - Divisional Round appearance
A rebuilt defensive line and a year three jump from this coaching staff could be enough to help the Arizona Cardinals win a playoff game. They were 6-4 at one point in the 2025 NFL Season.