There could be some worst-case scenarios that plague certain teams in 2025. Let's highlight those scenarios for the playoff teams. Of the 14 playoff teams from the 2024 NFL Season, there are bound to be a handful that don't make it back in 2025.
That is simply how the NFL works at times. There is a ton of parity in this league, so the playoff field in both conferences could look a lot different when we get into December and January. Well, we've gotten a bit gloomy here, as we have outlined the worst-case scenario in 2025 for each playoff team.
And we've elaborated on them more right here, so let's get into it.
Worst-case scenarios for every playoff team in the 2025 NFL Season
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs: Thin margins disappear as KC loses grip on the division
The Kansas City Chiefs won all of their one-score games in the 2024 NFL Season. Well, what if that disappears and the team struggles to close those contests out? It could get to the point where the division slips out of their grasp.
Buffalo Bills: Buffalo gets in their own way and fails to secure top seed in the AFC
The Bills do tend to get in their own way sometimes, and with the team having an easier schedule in 2025, you get the sense that if they get in their own way, it'll not only be a huge disappointment, but they'll also not finish with as high of a seed in the AFC playoffs as they'd like to.
Baltimore Ravens: It's a year where Lamar Jackson can't stay on the field
Lamar Jackson runs a lot and is exposed to more hits than the average QB, so this is always the concern.
Houston Texans: Offensive line additions aren't the right ones as Houston misses the playoffs
The Houston Texans really switched up their offensive line this offseason. If the wrong moves were made, this franchise is going to go backwards in a major way and will totally miss the postseason.
Los Angeles Chargers: No progress made from 2024, as LA is stuck in the mud
The LA Chargers were a good team in 2024, but did they truly get that much better on paper this offseason? What does this team do if it's another 10 or 11-win season and a first-round playoff exit?
Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers is truly washed up as Pittsburgh wins less than nine games
Pittsburgh obviously has Super Bowl aspirations, but they aren't a legitimate contender, and what could end up happening is Aaron Rodgers regresses even more and ends up contributing to a rare losing season from the Steelers.
Denver Broncos: Bo Nix endures the sophomore slump as Broncos miss postseason
This is always the concern with second-year QBs. Bo Nix enduring a sophomore slump could bring down the entire team and ruin their playoff chances in 2025.
NFC
Detroit Lions - Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn losses are too big to avoid
It's rare to see a team lose both of their coordinators like this, and the impact of losing both in the same offseason could truly push the Detroit Lions out of the playoffs in 2025. With the injuries already piling up, we could be in for a regressed Lions' team in the 2025 NFL Season.
Philadelphia Eagles - Super Bowl hangover pushes this team into a Wild Card spot in the playoffs and an early exit
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Baker Mayfield reverts back to his old days as Tampa misses playoffs
Baker Mayfield has played his tail off over the past two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and that might be an understatement, but what if he reverts back to his old ways? That 'old Baker' will probably always be there, so the hope is that losing Liam Coen doesn't regress the veteran QB back to what he was before arriving in Tampa.
Los Angeles Rams - Matthew Stafford's back injury lingers the entire season
This seems to be something to monitor as we creep closer to the 2025 NFL Season. Matthew Stafford has been in the NFL for years and has played hurt many times, but this back ailment really could put this entire operation off the rails this year. If so, the Rams will not only miss the playoffs, but their QB situation will be very murky.
Minnesota Vikings - JJ McCarthy looks awful
What if JJ McCarthy... stinks?
While many people might be high on the young QB, there is always a chance that he isn't any good. McCarthy is surrounded by one of the best supporting casts in the NFL, so his chances of success might be quite high, but he's young and has never played in a regular season game before.
It's more likely that he struggles early on like some of the recent rookie QBs did.
Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels doesn't take a leap, and the good-not-great roster isn't enough to pick up the pace
The sophomore slump is a thing, and with how good Jayden Daniels was in 2024, there could be more of a chance that he regresses than actually improves. Furthermore, the Washington Commanders' roster is really not great. Sure, it's good, but if Daniels regresses a bit, the roster might not be good enough to lift this team. Could they miss the playoffs?
Green Bay Packers - Another 9-11 win season and Wild Card berth has us asking the same question next offseason
The Green Bay Packers have won 20 regular season games over the past two seasons and are just the epitome of a 'good not great' team. What if they fail to take that next step in the 2025 NFL Season? What approach does this team take in 2026 if they are again in that range and likely don't make any sort of playoff run?