The NFC could truly be wide open in the 2025 NFL Season. Let's make record predictions for each team ahead of the season. Even though we've seen some of the same teams atop the conference, 2025 could bring some new change.
Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles could be bracing for a Super Bowl hangover, and there could be some other up-and-coming teams in the conference. We've got about two weeks left before the official start of the regular season.
And as preseason finishes up and roster cuts roll in, let's predict records for each NFC team.
Record predictions for every NFC team ahead of the 2025 NFL Season
NFC North
Detroit Lions: 11-6
I would expect a regression from the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL Season. It's rare to see a team lose just two games in the regular season, especially with how many injuries this team had. Furthermore, the losses of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are going to hurt. While Detroit still finishes with a solid 11 wins and captures the NFC North title, it won't be quite the year that 2024 was.
Green Bay Packers: 11-6
Another 11-6 year is on the way for the Green Bay Packers, as it still does not feel like this team has enough elite or game-changing players to truly become a contender in the NFL. Green Bay will settle into a Wild Card spot yet again and probably fall short of a Super Bowl berth.
Chicago Bears: 7-10
A 7-10 season in year one of the Ben Johnson era would be a success no matter what people might say. Yes, this team is more talented than just seven wins, but coaching an NFL team sometimes takes a while to get off the ground. Chicago going 7-10 could keep them in the playoff hunt for much of the season and paint a great picture for 2026 and beyond.
Minnesota Vikings: 6-11
The unproven JJ McCarthy is the main reason why the Minnesota Vikings could regress from their breakout season in 2024 with Sam Darnold. We just do not know what we have in McCarthy, and until he proves he is indeed a franchise QB, we'll predict a tougher season for Minnesota.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: 10-7
I am fully prepared to be wrong, but the Atlanta Falcons are going to breakout in the 2024 NFL Season and win 10 games, capturing the NFC South title and ending years of suffering. Michael Penix Jr is going to play his tail off thanks to a top offensive line and elite weapons, and the defense will sort itself out under Jeff Ulbrich. Every year in the NFL, we always seem a team or two surprise us in a good way, and Atlanta could be one of those teams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9-8
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have taken ownership of the NFC South for years now, but how about a bit of a regression? In 2024, Baker Mayfield played out of his mind and threw for 4,500 yard and 41 touchdowns. Well, his former offensive coordinator Liam Coen is now on the Jacksonville Jaguars as their head coach, so Mayfield might not be able to replicate what he did in 2024.
Overall, the Buccaneers are good but have a lower ceiling than many other teams. In fact, this team is a great example of being a high-floor, low-ceiling squad.
Carolina Panthers: 9-8
I do truly think the Carolina Panthers are in a position to finally put something together in the 2025 NFL Season. Bryce Young looked solid down the stretch in 2024, and that strong play could set the stage for a modest breakout season from the third-year QB this season.
Overall, though, the Panthers do have a pretty solid roster all the way around and are oozing with young talent just ready to breakout. Maybe I'm being a bit too optimistic with this team, but I see a path to success in a weaker NFC South. While Carolina likely misses the playoffs, a winning record would be downright amazing and much-needed for this franchise.
New Orleans Saints: 2-15
I have said this before and will stand by it; the New Orleans Saints could be the first winless team in the 17-game era. GM Mickey Loomis has his hands all over this disastrous operation. He's needed to rebuild for years now but keeps kicking the can down the road.
The Saints' roster is bad, old, and brittle. The QB situation might also be the worst in the NFL, so what does this team do right? A two-win season feels about right for this team, but having a first-year head coach also puts a ton more uncertainty into everything this team is about in the 2025 NFL Season. It's clear the Saints are going to be any good this year.
NFC East
Washington Commanders: 12-5
Winning 12 games in 2024, the Washington Commanders are back at it in the 2025 NFL Season and will replicate their record but capture the division title. Jayden Daniels is going to play like an MVP and might get some MVP votes.
The roster itself isn't great, but it did get better this offseason, and it's not like we'd be surprise if Washington again won 12 games, right? This team could be something special.
Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6
It's fair to expect a Super Bowl hangover from the Philadelphia Eagles. Kellen Moore is no longer their offensive coordinator, and they also did lose numerous starters this offseason. It's also quite normal for a team to not be as good as they were after winning it all.
Jalen Hurts is a below-average passer and is really an average QB overall, so he's not going to be able to carry this team like other quarterbacks in the NFC. Philadelphia will still have a winning record and will still get themselves into the playoffs, but it won't be as dominant.
Dallas Cowboys: 6-11
If nothing else, the Dallas Cowboys will have a pretty efficient offense. Dak Prescott now has CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to throw the ball to, and even though their RB room is below-average, Lamb and Pickens should be able to open up the run game quite a bit. However, this team is nothing special on paper and isn't going to amount to much in 2025.
Dallas winning six games feels right - they won't be a disastrous team, but they aren't going to be any good, either.
New York Giants: 5-12
What is there to say about the New York Giants? To give them credit; Jaxson Dart has looked quite good in the preseason and has actually been their best QB thus far, so it's only a matter of time before he enters into the starting lineup. New York is still flawed on both sides of the ball and have an extremely tough schedule to boot.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: 10-7
Given what we know (or don't know) about Matthew Stafford's back injury, there is enough uncertainty there to now be lower on the Los Angeles Rams for the 2025 NFL Season. I've also been higher on the Cardinals than most, as this team is as good as it's been on paper in quite some time. Furthermore, this team did win six of their first 10 games in 2024.
It's not outrageous to think that their key additions along the defensive line will earn them another win or two in a modest but very successful NFC West division title season in 2025.
Los Angeles Rams: 9-8
The NFL is in a better place when Matthew Stafford is healthy and on the field, but we simply have no idea if he's truly healthy and will be ready for Week 1. Oddly enough, it also seems like the Rams are being a bit mysterious with this injury as well, which would lead me to believe that the veteran QB is hurt.
If so, Stafford certainly isn't going to be out on the field for all 17 games, and that would be enough for this team to take a small step back from their 2024 campaign and lose its grip on the division, which could spiral into something more if Stafford would decide to retire, or if LA simply decided to move on.
San Francisco 49ers: 8-9
The injuries are already piling up for the San Francisco 49ers, and even though they have a super easy schedule this year, I just do not get the sense that this team is ready to get back into the playoffs. You also have to think something is seriously wrong with the way this team trains and practices, as it seems like they are hurt every single season more than most teams.
An 8-9 season for the San Francisco 49ers is our prediction for this team.
Seattle Seahawks: 5-12
It's not often you see a team trying to get better in the offseason but does the total opposite. What the heck is this team trying to do? I understand trading Geno Smith and signing Sam Darnold, but the rest of the roster is just not good at all. It's going to be a regression year for this team, but I guess they tried to save face by taking Jalen Milroe in the 2025 NFL Draft.
He could turn into something in the long-term...