2025 Football Early Predictions: NFL Division Champs, Playoff Contenders, and College Football Powerhouses!
Today marks just 100 days until college football kicks off, and the NFL offseason chatter is heating up. Fans all over are getting ready for another thrilling year. So, I thought it’d be a good time to dive into who’s going to take over the NFL and college football scenes in 2025. From seasoned quarterbacks looking for a comeback to top-notch college teams aiming to build dynasties, here are my bold predictions for the upcoming season.
2025 NFL Predictions
AFC Division Winners:
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen, the reigning league MVP, is still a top player. With the Patriots going through a rebuild and a new head coach, and the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets being all over the place, the Buffalo Bills are ready to take back the division and chase their Super Bowl dreams.
- AFC North: Baltimore Ravens
- Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are helping their team score another win in the division, while the Bengals, along with a healthy Joe Burrow, are looking to take down the Ravens. Pittsburgh’s got its own quarterback struggles, and the Browns are just stuck being the odd ones out in the AFC North.
- AFC South: Houston Texans
- C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans are really leading the way for the Texans as the team keeps getting better. Anthony Richardson is hoping for a season without injuries so the Colts can make it to the playoffs. Rookie Cam Ward is looking to make a name for himself with the Titans, while Trevor Lawrence has a decent year but just barely misses out on the playoffs.
- AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs
- Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert are ready to make a big impression in the division. Denver’s hoping for another surprising season with Bo Nix still being QB1. New head coach Pete Carroll has a shot at bringing his winning ways from the Seahawks to the Raiders, but he’ll need some time to get it done. But if the Chargers can't dethrone the Chiefs it looks like Mahomes and Reid are still the ones to beat in the division.
NFC Division Winners:
- NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
- The defending champs and QB Jalen Hurts are still ruling the division. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders could really shake things up by taking the top spot from the Eagles, but they’ve got to stay consistent on both offense and defense. Dallas is still trying to figure itself out, and the Giants have a new QB1 in Russell Wilson, but they still can’t seem to find a way to win.
- NFC North: Detroit Lions
- Dan Campbell and Jared Goff's squad is bringing some serious grit, talent, and experience to snag the North title again. J.J. McCarthy is back from his injury, and receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are ready to crush it this year. The Packers really need to step out of the Lions and Vikings' shadows if they want a shot at the division crown, while the Bears are counting on their quarterback, Caleb Williams, to step up and have a solid season.
- NFC South: Atlanta Falcons
- Baker Mayfield and the Bucs snag the title for the second year in a row from a struggling South division. The Falcons are looking for a fresh start now that Michael Penix Jr. has stepped in as the starting quarterback, taking over from veteran Kirk Cousins at the end of last season. Bryce Young and the Panthers finished strong last year, but they’ve got to keep that momentum going all season long. Meanwhile, with Derek Carr retiring, the Saints are still trying to figure out their quarterback situation.
- NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
- The 49ers have one of the best lineups in the NFL. With Purdy and McCaffrey at the helm, they're set for another strong playoff run. Meanwhile, the Seahawks brought in Sam Darnold from the Vikings, hoping for a better season, but things aren't looking too good for them. As for the Cardinals, they’re not likely to make much of an impact in the division.
AFC Wild Card Teams:
- Baltimore Ravens
- New York Jets
- Jacksonville Jaguars
NFC Wild Card Teams:
- Dallas Cowboys
- Seattle Seahawks
- Green Bay Packers
AFC Championship Prediction:
- Buffalo Bills defeat Kansas City Chiefs
Allen-Mahomes: The current great NFL rivalry continues.
NFC Championship Prediction:
- San Francisco 49ers defeat Detroit Lions
Too much McCaffrey. Too much defense.
Super Bowl LX (2026) Prediction:
- San Francisco 49ers defeat Cincinnati Bengals, 30–27
Super Bowl MVP: Christian McCaffrey
College Football 2025 Season Predictions:
With the first-ever 12-team playoff format emerging last season, expect fireworks. Conference shakeups, star QBs, and elite recruiting will define this new era of college football.
Top 4 Seeds (First-Round Byes):
- Georgia Bulldogs – Kirby Smart reloads again. SEC dominance continues.
- Ohio State Buckeyes – Defending champs look to repeat with a successful spring recruiting class.
- Oregon Ducks – The Ducks bringing back many players on both sides and looking to have another successful season.
- Texas Longhorns – Whether it’s Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning, Texas is back and dangerous.
Remaining Playoff Teams (Seeds 5–12):
5. Clemson Tigers
6. Alabama
7. Michigan
8. LSU
9. Penn State
10. Washington
11. Ole Miss
12. Notre Dame
College Football Playoff Semifinals:
- Georgia defeats Ohio State – Defense wins the day.
- Texas defeats Oregon – Explosive offense carries the Longhorns.
National Championship Prediction:
- Texas Longhorns defeats Georgia Bulldogs, 35-24. National Championship MVP: Arch Manning
Final Thoughts:
With Mahomes gunning for another ring and Texas looking to get back on top in college football, the 2025 season is gonna be epic! Mark your calendars and get ready because football is right around the corner! Oh, and I can't forget to say GO GATORS!