The NFL season is the quickest out of the 4 major U.S. sports. That means that every single one of the 17 games a team plays matters. Making the playoffs something an organization and their fanbase thinks about even before the first preseason game. It’s a league where every team believes they can make a run to the Super Bowl. Whether they have the hype from analysts and fans or not, players will give it their all to win. With only 7 seeds in each conference though, less than half of the NFL’s teams can make it. Here’s what I think the seeding will shake out by the end of the 2025-26 NFL season.
AFC #7 Seed – Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos made the 7th seed last season after going 10-7. Even with rookie Bo Nix as the stating Quarterback, Denver was scary. With Their defense being ranked 4th in the whole NFL, they were a matchup nightmare. Denver got crushed in the wildcard against Buffalo, but overall the year was a success. Under the coach stability of Sean Payton and a developing offense that ranked 21st the team is poised for another wild card birth. That being said, I don’t see the team going far as the offense has no real star. Although the starters are all solid, the team doesn’t have a standout on the offensive end. Hopefully incoming rooking HB RJ Harvey can be turn into the Pat Surtain of their offense. If that can happen, this team can upset a playoff contender in the wild card.
NFC #7 Seed – Minnesota Vikings
After a year where Minnesota went 14-3, you’d expected the team to fight for the 1 seed. That’s not the case as they not only play in a loaded NFC, but also a loaded NFC North. All 4 teams are playoff contenders going into 2025 and the Vikings are the only ones with a rookie QB. With J.J. McCarthy at under center, who knows if the Vikings can post another top 10 offensive season. Obviously having the best receiver in the league with a strong run game helps. On the other end of the ball they are scary. Minnesota’s only real weakness is their D-line going into the season. There’s so much top tier competition in the conference that the 7th seed is up for grabs. That being said, the Vikings have Kevin O’Connell and superstars that can lead this team to another playoff birth.
AFC #6 Seed – Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati is a team that is notorious for starting slow every season since they’ve been under Zac Taylor. After a season in which they had a triple crown receiver, sack leader, and leading passer, they went 9-8. Their 21st ranked defense really made this team struggle to win any games. The team let up 434 points in 2024, which ranked bottom 7 in the NFL. All of that while scoring a 6th best 472. With the team’s LB and Secondary really struggling on the defense, there wasn’t much they could do. They should be better this season, and if not I think Zac Taylor is out the door. Starting slow is unacceptable going into 2025 because they need to come out swinging. If they can do that and the stars continue to produce, then they can easily make some playoff noise.
NFC #6 Seed – Washington Commanders
Led by rookie QB Jayden Daniels, Washington was a powerhouse in the NFC. Going 12-5 and making a dark horse run in the playoffs, beating the 1 seed Detroit Lions. It’s even more impressive when you realize that the team’s defense ranked bottom three in the NFL. The team is left with crazy expectations heading into this season and I just don’t see them meeting them. The team is great, but I think replicating the type of run they had is incredibly hard. Washington will take a step back in 2025 with teams having a whole offseason to figure out Daniels. Add to that that Terry might be off the team and that the defense didn’t really improve, and it’s hard to call them a contender. Still expect them to make the playoffs, but it’s really a matter of whether they can clutch up again or not once they’re there.
AFC #5 Seed – Los Angeles Chargers
The LA Chargers had a pretty underrated season in 2024 due to Herbert’s poor playoff performance. Being a real threat in the AFC after going 11-6 was something that few people thought. Even though Herbert is a star, the talent around him is average at best. Outside of the obvious Ladd McConkey, there isn’t a real receiving threat. Thankfully Harbaugh loves to run the ball and their new HB Omarion Hampton has insane talent. Mixing that with a good offensive line and the Chargers can move the ball. Also that defense is very good, especially with Kahlil Mack coming back for another year. Los Angeles was ranked 1st in the NFL with 301 points allowed and 6th defensively overall. It’s so clear that this team is dangerous on paper and that they are one superstar WR away from being a true contender.
NFC #5 Seed – Los Angeles Rams
From one LA team to Another as the Rams make what could be their last playoff push with Stafford as the team’s QB. After losing Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua becomes the true number one receiver. Mix that with a declining but still great Devante Adam and the offense has an identity. Adding another level is the run game led by Kyren Williams and a good O-line. On the other side of the line is a second year Jared Verse who leads a decent defense. Ranking in at 18th in the NFL defensively, LA hopes to improve on that after an offseason of development. Playing in a loaded NFC West doesn’t help this team though, especially when they also have a below average CB room. I think the high powered offense and pass rush along with McVay’s genius will lead them to a now or never playoff run.
AFC #4 Seed – Houston Texans
Obviously the Texans took a step back in 2024 as they went 10-7 and Stroud had some regression. Their offense was highlighted by terrible O-line play that honestly didn’t get too much better. It’s gonna be a similar story in 2025, but minus Tank Dell who was having an amazing year. Also Joe Mixon’s age catching up with him will make the bad O-line play more apparent. Thankfully the defense is absolutely full of stars that can win games on their own. Two pass rushers that make protection a huge task in Deandre Hunter and Will Anderson. Then they also have a top 5 CB in the NFL with Stingley, as well as signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Houston’s defense should be top ten next year and lead them to a division win, but who knows if it’ll lead to a true run in the postseason.
NFC #4 Seed – Arizona Cardinals
The hottest take I have entering the 2025 season is the Arizona Cardinals winning the loaded NFC West. When you add a talented WR core and top 5 run game, it should be another top 10 year for the offense. Arizona’s only concern should be Kyler Murray’s ability to stay consistent. This offense could truly be top 5 if he stays at his ceiling for the full season. With upgrades to a bottom 10 defense, the Cardinals will be better on that side of the ball. Their only real weakness being their corners and inside linebackers. Depending on how they start the season, it’s easy to see this team make an aggressive trade to bolster their defense. Wining the NFC West is something that Arizona can do in 2025 and once they do, making a run won’t be as hard as it seems now.
AFC #3 Seed – Baltimore Ravens
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73848483/usa_today_25171093.0.jpg)
After yet another disappointing exist in the postseason, Lamar and the Ravens look to finally get over that hump. Everyone knows how good their team is on both sides of the ball. The Ravens ranked 1st in total offense and 7th in defense in 2024, netting a 12-5 record. Baltimore had some uncharacteristic loses in 2024 with loses to the Raiders, Browns, and Steelers. That’s the reason I don’t expect them to be the 1 seed. Although they have immense talent, Baltimore falls into the trouble of trap games more often than you’d like to see. Even in the AFC North, it’s almost guaranteed that the Ravens win the division and get home field advantage in the Wild Card. Whether or not 2025 is the year they finally can reach a Super Bowl is the question everyone is waiting for the team to answer.
NFC #3 Seed – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No matter how much you believe in the young QBs in the NFC South, there’s no denying that Tampa Bay is the powerhouse of the division. Being a top 5 offense while having injuries to so many major pieces was huge for the Bucs. Godwin and Evans together again with a brutal RB duo of White is Irving is insane. Baker revived his career in Tampa and has looked amazing since arriving. Defensively it was a down year for the team. Ranking a below average 22nd in the league, which was due mostly to the middle of the pack secondary. Honestly with no real changes either, it’s not easy to imagine Tampa having another Wild Card exit year. That being said with an aging roster this is the last year they’ll be truly viewed as contenders. The NFC South is changing, but in 2025 Tampa Bay still runs it.
AFC #2 Seed – Kansas City Chiefs
In a down year for Kansas City offensively they still had 15 wins and were the 1 seed in 2024. Winning as many one score games as they did and a top 2 defense will lead them to another powerhouse season. Although the AFC West is crazy talented, which makes it easy to think that KC will take a step back. It won’t be a bad year for them by any means as they still have the corner pieces of their dynasty. Having no real top receiving threat is a little scary for the team though, and adding to that a defense that got a little weaker makes KC look beatable. Of course this has been said for a couple of seasons now, but it wouldn’t be shocking to finally see the kings fall in the postseason after 3 years of straight Super Bowls.
NFC #2 Seed – Detroit Lions
Even though the Lions lost key personnel this offseason, they are still a true championship contender. Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, and Frank Ragnow were all a very important part of Detroit’s top 2 offense and 5th ranked defense. After a 15 win season it’s hard to argue that they are legit. Obviously winning 15 games in back-to-back season will be nearly impossible for the team, but they don’t need to. After losing in the Divisional in what was a major upset, they’re going to be playing with a chip on their shoulder. Also Detroit is getting back Aidan Hutchinson who was leading the DPOY race before getting hurt. There’s a fire under the team and Dan Campell will channel that into wins. I think this is on paper the most all-round talented team in the NFL and I expect them to make a run at the Super Bowl.
AFC #1 Seed – Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were a win away from facing the Eagles in the Super Bowl. When considering the fact that they had a bottom 5 defense in the NFL, it’s crazy they even got to that point. With the MVP leading their offense, that side of the ball is going to produce. Even though he doesn’t even have a top 20 receiving threat at his side. Outside of Christian Benford there’s so many holes on that defense. We’ve seen Allen and the Bills succeed despite the struggles in weapons and defense. Buffalo isn’t strong enough to make the Super Bowl on paper, but the team has a schedule that I think is favorable to them in the AFC East. That could grant them the one seed and all it takes is a few great Josh Allen games to get the Bills to finally get to the promise land.
NFC #1 Seed – Philadelphia Eagles
A Super Bowl slump doesn’t seem like it will be in the cards for the Philadelphia Eagles. They had a top 10 offense and the best defense in the league. A repeat seems like it’s a real possibility for a team that retained a lot of their key pieces. Having 14 wins in 2024 was a huge accomplishment for a team that had question marks entering the year. Those questions are now gone. Hurts proved he can get the job done and Barkley won OPOY. The O-line held up and the young guys on defense were productive. There’s nothing I can really look at on this team and say is a true weakness. Both sides of the ball have outstanding talent everywhere and the coaching proved it’s not fraudulent. The Eagles look to run it back in 2025 and have a real chance of doing so, as the best team in the NFC.
If you enjoyed this article please follow us here on MSN! Thank you for reading and have a great day!
Here’s an article for the top 30 fantasy running backs for the 2025 NFL season!
