Predicting every NFL team’s remaining schedule: Chiefs edge Broncos for AFC West crown; Packers win NFC North
There are a slew of compelling questions that will undoubtedly be answered during the second half of the 2025 NFL regular season. Will the Bills and Chiefs hold off the Patriots and Broncos in their respective division races? Who will emerge victorious in crowded battles for the NFC North and West crowns? Can the Steelers avoid another late-season collapse? Is the Cowboys’ revamped defense good enough to ignite a late playoff charge?
NFL tier rankings for all 32 teams: Separating contenders from pretenders as 2025 playoff race takes shape
Jared Dubin
While the answers to these and other questions will come in time, we simply couldn’t wait to find out. Ahead of this week’s slate of games, I decided to try and predict the outcome for every remaining game on the regular season slate. Some of the results were predictable, others were a bit surprising, and others were downright historic, including a three-way tie atop the NFC West. Below is a division-by-division result of those predictions in addition to each conference’s playoff brackets. It’ll sure be interesting to see how accurate this was when the dust finally settles on Jan. 4.
Playoff Brackets No. 1 seed: BillsNo. 1 seed: EaglesNo. 7 Chargers at No. 2 ChiefsNo. 7 Lions at No. 2 PackersNo. 6 Patriots at No. 3 ColtsNo. 6 Seahawks at No. 3 Buccaneers No. 5 Broncos at No. 4 Steelers No. 5 Rams at No. 4 49ers AFC North1. Steelers Current record: 5-3Protected record: 11-6Remaining Schedule 10at Chargers (“Sunday Night Football”W11BengalsW12at BearsW13BillsL14at RavensL15Dolphins (“Monday Night Football”W16 at Lions L17 at Browns W18 Ravens WPittsburgh has some tough road games ahead, starting with Sunday’s showdown against the Chargers on the West Coast. Currently 5-3, the Steelers haven’t played their best football yet, which might be a good thing for a team that peaked too early last season. Pittsburgh is just four wins away from an NFL record 22nd consecutive non-losing season. They are also in the driver’s seat to win their first division title since 2020, mainly because of the play of Aaron Rodgers. 2. RavensCurrent record: 3-5Projected record: 10-7Remaining Schedule 10at VikingsW11at BrownsW12JetsW13Bengals (“Thanksgiving)W14SteelersW15at BengalsW16PatriotsW17at PackersL18at Steelers LBaltimore’s season couldn’t have started any worse, but John Harbaugh’s team has steadied the ship with consecutive wins entering this week’s big road game against the Vikings. The Ravens just added a much-needed pass rusher to their defense in Dre’Mont Jones. 3. BengalsCurrent record: 3-6Projected record: 6-11Remaining Schedule 10BYE11at SteelersL12PatriotsL13at Ravens (Thanksgiving)L14at BillsL15Ravens L16at Dolphins (“Sunday Night Football”)W17CardinalsW18Browns WZac Taylor’s run of salvaging lost seasons with respectable 9-8 records comes to an end. As was the case last year, defense continues to be an Achilles heel that has been simply too much to overcome. Don’t expect Joe Burrow to play again this season unless the Bengals start winning games. 4. BrownsCurrent record: 2-6Projected record: 3-14Remaining Schedule 10at JetsL11RavensL12at RaidersL1349ersL14TitansW15at BearsL16BillsL17SteelersL18at Bengals LAnother lost season for a Browns franchise that has made the playoffs just three times since returning to the NFL in 1999. The Browns do have a few winnable games during the second half of the schedule, but it may be in their best interest to play for the No. 1 overall pick instead. You could argue that that’s been the team’s game plan all along, given their decision to trade Joe Flacco to a division rival. AFC East 1. Bills Current record: 6-2Projected record: 14-3Remaining Schedule 10at DolphinsW11Buccaneers W12Texans (“Thursday Night Football”)W13at SteelersW14BengalsW15at Patriots W16at Browns W17EaglesL18Jets WThe Bills have four marquee matchups ahead of them, with the headliner being their Week 15 showdown in New England against a Patriots team that defeated them back in Week 5. It won’t be easy, but Josh Allen and the Bills are among the NFL’s most battle-tested teams, given how many big games the group has played in over the years. That experience should pay dividends down the stretch. 2. Patriots Current record: 7-2Protected record: 12-5Remaining Schedule10Buccaneers L11Jets (“Thursday Night Football”)W12at Bengals W13Giants (“Monday Night Football”)W14BYE15BillsL16at RavensL17at Jets W18Dolphins WWhile the Bills have a wealth of big-game experience, this Patriots team doesn’t (which is unusual to say, given New England’s run of dominance from 2001-19). The Patriots’ youth will undoubtedly be tested in consecutive late-season games against the Bills and Ravens. 3. DolphinsCurrent record: 2-7Projected record: 4-13Remaining Schedule 10BillsL11Commanders (Spain)W12BYE13SaintsW14at JetsL15at Steelers (“Monday Night Football”)L16BengalsL17Buccaneers L18at PatriotsLNothing has gone right this season for the Dolphins. But there is still something to play for, especially for head coach Mike McDaniel. Fortunately for him, Miami has some winnable games left on its schedule, starting with the Dolphins’ international game against a struggling Commanders team. 4. Jets Current record: 1-7Projected record: 3-14Remaining Schedule 10BrownsW11at Patriots (“Thursday Night Football”)L12at RavensL13FalconsL14DolphinsW15at JaguarsL16at SaintsL17PatriotsL18at Bills LGiven the unpredictability that is the NFL, it would be very much on brand for the Jets to beat the Browns on Sunday, several days after trading away defensive stalwarts Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. The Jets are clearly playing for tomorrow, but there are more than a few players (i.e., Justin Fields) who are still trying to make the most of today. AFC West 1. Chiefs Current record: 5-4Projected record: 12-5Remaining schedule 10BYE11at BroncosW12Colts W13at Cowboys (Thanksgiving) W14Texans (“Sunday Night Football”)W15ChargersW16at Titans W17Broncos (Christmas)L18at Raiders WKansas City’s quest to win its 10th straight division title may come down to what happens during its two games against a Denver team that is looking to take the throne. The Chiefs may not be the invincible force that they once were, but they’re still a supremely talented team, led by two-time league and three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs edged out the Broncos in these projections based on a better division record. 2. BroncosCurrent record: 7-2Projected record: 12-510Raiders (“Thursday Night Football”)W11Chiefs L12BYE13at Commanders (“Sunday Night Football”)W14at RaidersW15PackersL16JaguarsW17Chiefs (Christmas)W18Chargers LThere’s no denying that the Broncos are a very good team, likely bound for the postseason. But their less-than-impressive wins over clearly weaker opponents (specifically the Jets and Texans) could be cause for concern. It certainly played a role in them being just under the Chiefs in the division standings. 3. Chargers Current record: 6-3Projected record: 10-7Remaining Schedule 10Steelers (“Thursday Night Football”)L11at Jaguars W12BYE13RaidersW14Eagles (“Monday Night Football”)L15at Chiefs L16at Cowboys L17TexansW18at Broncos WWhile Denver’s questions are more about style, the Chargers’ are purely related to substance. One would think that the mounting injuries will eventually catch up to Los Angeles, which recently lost another starter when offensive tackle Joe Alt underwent season-ending surgery. Despite the barrage of injuries, the Chargers still possess the talent and resolve to secure 10 wins. The question is, will that be enough to secure a playoff berth? 4. Raiders Current record: 2-6Projected record: 3-14Remaining Schedule 10at Broncos (“Thursday Night Football”)L11Cowboys (“Monday Night Football”)L12BrownsW13at Chargers L14Broncos L15at EaglesL16at Texans L17Giants L18Chiefs LIt’s been a truly forgettable first season in Las Vegas for Pete Carroll, whose team was once again a seller at the trade deadline. While winning is always paramount, the Raiders’ second half of the season will likely be spent focusing on the development of their young players, most notably rookie Ashton Jeanty. AFC South 1. Colts Current record: 7-2Projected record: 12-5Remaining Schedule 10Falcons (Germany)W11 BYE12at Chiefs L13Texans W14at Jaguars W15at Seahawks L1649ers (“Monday Night Football”)L17Jaguars W18Texans WIndianapolis came back down to earth a little following last week’s loss in Pittsburgh. And while that game may have set level expectations outside of Indianapolis, the Colts made it clear they still consider themselves a Super Bowl contender when they gave up two first-round picks to acquire Gardner. 2. Jaguars Current record: 5-3Projected record: 9-8Remaining Schedule 10at TexansW11ChargersL12at Cardinals L13at Titans W14Colts L15Jets W16at Broncos L17 Colts L18 Titans WLike the Colts, the Jaguars were also buyers at the trade deadline, acquiring former Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Meyers will help, but the Jaguars still have too many deficiencies (including on possessions and in the red zone) that will probably come back to bite them. A winning record, though, would be no lean feat, especially for a first-year coach (Liam Coen) and a franchise that hasn’t had much success in recent years. 3. TexansCurrent record: 3-5Projected record: 6-11Remaining Schedule 10Jaguars L11at Titans W12Bills (“Thursday Night Football”)L13at Colts L14at Chiefs (“Sunday Night Football”0L15Cardinals W16RaidersW17at Chargers L18Colts LInjuries (including C.J. Stroud’s recent concussion that will sideline him for this weekend’s game) are seriously threatening the Texans’ two-year run as South champs. Surprisingly, the Texans boast the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, led by former Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. Houston’s defense gives Texans fans a reason to be hopeful. 4. TitansCurrent record: 1-8Projected record: 2-15Remaining Schedule10BYE 11TexansL12Seahawks L13Jaguars L14at Browns L15at 49ers L16Chiefs L17Saints W18Jaguars LLast week’s one-possession loss to the Chargers is evidence that the Titans are still fighting amid a forgettable season. Like Jeanty in Las Vegas, it’ll be interesting to see how much No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward progresses during the final weeks of his rookie season. NFC North 1. Packers Current record: 5-2-1Projected record: 12-4-1Remaining Schedule 10Eagles (“Monday Night Football”)W11at Giants W12Vikings W13at Lions (Thanksgiving)L14BearsW15at Broncos W16at Bears L17RavensW18at Vikings WSimilar to the Steelers, the Packers have yet to play their best football, which is probably a good thing for a team with legitimate Super Bowl hopes. Jordan Love and Micah Parsons get more headlines, but the team’s real MVP might be running back Josh Jacobs, who has scored 10 rushing touchdowns this season (including at least one in his last five games) despite a lingering calf injury. 2. LionsCurrent record: 5-3Projected record: 11-6Remaining Schedule 10at CommandersW11at Eagles (“Sunday Night Football”)L12Giants W13Packers W14Cowboys W15at Rams L16SteelersW17at Vikings (Christmas)L18at Bears WDetroit’s season may very well come down to what happens during the final month of the season. The Lions have a tough game against the Rams in Los Angeles before finishing the season with a home game vs. Pittsburgh and two road games against divisional foes. 3. Vikings Current record: 4-4Projected record: 9-8Remaining Schedule 10RavensL11BearsW12at Packers L13at Seahawks W14CommandersW15at Cowboys (“Sunday Night Football”)L16at Giants W17Lions (Christmas)W18Packers LMinnesota also ends the season with two crucial games against divisional opponents. The difference, however, is that the Vikings get to play both games at home. These games will be a measuring stick of sorts for JJ McCarthy, who, when healthy this year, has shown considerable promise. 4. Bears Current record: 5-3Projected record: 9-8Remaining Schedule 10Giants W11at Vikings L12SteelersL13at Eagles W14at Packers L15Browns W16Packers W17at 49ers (“Sunday Night Football”)L18Lions LAs you can see, the NFC North could join the 2023 AFC North as the only division in each where each team finished the year with a winning record. The Bears are undoubtedly capable of capturing their first winning season since 2018, especially if Caleb Williams continues to play like he did during last week’s last-minute win over the Bengals. NFC East 1. Eagles Current record: 6-2Projected record: 13-4Remaining Schedule 10at Packers (“Monday Night Football”)L11Lions (“Sunday Night Football”)W12at Cowboys W13BearsL14at Chargers (“Monday Night Football”)W15RaidersW16at CommandersW17at Bills W18Commanders WThe Eagles can be included among the list of Super Bowl champions that didn’t have the best start to their title defense. Philadelphia started to show semblances of its Super Bowl form just before its Week 9 game, especially with Saquon Barkley and a running game that churned out 276 yards in a blowout win over the Giants. 2. Cowboys Current record: 3-5-1 Projected record: 8-8-1Remaining Schedule10BYE 11Raiders (“Monday Night Football”)W12EaglesL13Chiefs (Thanksgiving) L14at Lions (“Thursday Night Football”) L15Vikings (“Sunday Night Football”)W16Chargers W17at Commanders (Christmas)W18at Giants WCurrently 3-5, Dallas’ new defenders should give the Cowboys a decent shot in the arm down the stretch. It probably won’t, however, be enough to prevent “America’s Team” from watching the postseason from home for a second straight year. However, if they can finish with an 8-8-1 record, that isn’t a terrible mark for a team with a first-time head coach (Brian Schottenheimer) who traded away their best player (Parsons) just before the start of the season. 3. Giants Current record: 2-7Projected record: 4-13Remaining Schedule10at Bears L11Packers L12at Lions L13at Patriots (“Monday Night Football”)L14BYE 15CommandersW16Vikings L17at Raiders W18Cowboys LIt appeared that the Giants were on the precipice of something special this season after they upset the Eagles in Week 6. Those thoughts quickly ended, however, the following week in Denver after Big Blue failed to hold onto an 18-point fourth quarter lead. The silver lining for Giants fans is that it appears that they have at long last found their long-term starting quarterback in Jaxson Dart. 4. Commanders Current record: 3-6Projected record: 3-14Remaining Schedule 10Lions L11at Dolphins (Spain)L12BYE13Broncos L14at Vikings L15at Giants L16Eagles L17Cowboys (Christmas)L18at Eagles LIt’s hard to find a team that has had a more disappointing season than the defending NFC East champs. A season that started with Terry McLaurin’s contentious holdout will likely end with double-digit losses. It’s a safe assumption that the majority of Commanders fans have turned their focus towards 2026 and the hope that Jayden Daniels can rebound from his season-ending elbow injury. NFC West 1. 49ers Current record: 6-3Projected record: 12-5Remaining Schedule10RamsW11at Cardinals L12Panthers W13at Browns W14BYE 15Titans W16at Colts (“Monday Night Football”)W17BearsW1 8Seahawks LDespite another season heavily impacted by injuries, the 49ers appear to be bound for the playoffs. They are also more than capable of holding off the Rams and Seahawks for the NFC West title. With Brock Purdy continuing to deal with the effects of turf toe, the 49ers’ success will continue to depend considerably on Mac Jones, who is in the midst of a career year. San Francisco’s 9-3 record vs. NFC foes gave them the tiebreaker over the Rams and Seahawks for first place atop the NFC West. 2. Rams Current record: 6-2Projected record: 12-5Remaining Schedule 10at 49ers L11Seahawks W12Buccaneers L13at Panthers L14at Cardinals W15Lions W16at Seahawks W17at Falcons W18Cardinals WThis is the Rams’ best team since their Super Bowl-winning 2021 squad. At the forefront of the Rams’ success so far has been quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is playing at an MVP level during his age-37 season. Los Angeles’ overlooked defense (which is currently No. 2 in the NFL in points allowed) has and should continue to be a driving force in the team’s success. Los Angeles’ 4-2 divisional record put them ahead of Seattle in the NFC West standings. 3. Seahawks Current record: 6-2Projected record: 12-5Remaining Schedule 10Cardinals W11at Rams L12at Titans W13Vikings L14at Falcons W15Colts W16Rams (“Thursday Night Football”)L17Panthers W18at 49ers WMike Macdonald deserves some Coach of the Year hub for the work he’s done this season in Seattle. The Seahawks made a splash this week when they acquired wideout/former All-Pro returner from New Orleans just before the deadline. His presence should help open things up more for Jaxon Smith-Njigba while giving Sam Darnold another proven wideout to throw to. 4. Cardinals Current record: 3-5Projected record: 5-12Remaining Schedule 10at Seahawks L1149ersW12Jaguars W13at Buccaneers L14RamsL15at Texans L16Falcons L17at Bengals L18at Rams LArizona was arguably the toughest team to predict, given the Cardinals’ unpredictable performance so far. Adding to their unpredictability is the recent change of quarterback from Kyler Murray to Jacoby Brissett. NFC South 1. Buccaneers Current record: 6-2Projected record: 12-5 Remaining Schedule 10Patriots W11at BillsL12at Rams (“Sunday Night Football”)W13Cardinals W14Saints W15Falcons (“Thursday Night Football”)W16at Panthers L17at Dolphins W18Panthers LLed by Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers are on the verge of a fifth straight division title despite a litany of injuries. Mayfield has enjoyed a quick rapport with rookie Emeka Egbuka, who currently has more than twice as many receiving yards as the team’s second-leading receiver.
2. Panthers Current record: 5-4Projected record: 10-7 Remaining Schedule 10Saints W11at Falcons L12at 49ers L13Rams W14BYE 15at Saints W16BuccaneersW17Seahawks L18at Buccaneers WFittingly, the Panthers’ resurgence this season has been marked by the team’s return to its roots as a ground-and-pound football team. Led by newcomer Rico Dowdle, the Panthers are currently fifth in the NFL in rushing. The Panthers have also gotten efficient quarterback play from Bryce Young. 3. Falcons Current record: 3-5Projected record: 8-9Remaining Schedule 10at Colts (Berlin)L11Panthers W12at Saints W13at Jets W14Seahawks L15at Buccaneers (“Thursday Night Football”)L16at Cardinals W17Rams L18Saints WAtlanta seems poised for another disappointing season despite having one of the NFL’s best RB-WR duos in Bijan Robinson and Drake London. The Falcons’ issues on third down and in the red zone are major reasons for the team’s struggles this season. Atlanta, despite spending both of its first-round picks on pas rushers (Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.), is 27th in the NFL on third down and 30th in red zone efficiency. 4. SaintsCurrent record: 1-8Projected record: 2-15Remaining Games 10at Panthers L11BYE 12Falcons L13at Dolphins L14at Buccaneers L15Panthers L16Jets W17at Titans L18at Falcons LIf there’s a silver lining for the Saints, it’s that they are in position to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. New Orleans will use its remaining games this year to evaluate rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who has completed just 57.1% of his passes this season.
Δημοσιεύτηκε: 2025-11-06 18:45:00
πηγή: www.cbssports.com
