Dustin Baker’s Official 2025 NFL Standings Predictions

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Aug 23, 2025
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in 2023.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up ahead of the season opener against Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The NFL regular season is dangerously close — 12 days away — with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys doing battle on Thursday Night Football to get the party started.

Dustin Baker reveals his official 2025 NFL standings predictions, analyzing division races, surprise contenders, and which teams could rise or fall in 2025.

Therefore, it’s an appropriate time to lock in 2025 predictions, an annual tradition at VikingsTerritory.

Last year, the prediction was for the Cincinnati Bengals to defeat the Eagles in the Super Bowl. No such luck.

Official 2025 NFL Standings Forecast

Dustin Baker locks in his choices for 2025.

Justin Fields runs for touchdown against Packers at Lambeau Field. Fields will hope the Jets up in NFL standings in 2025
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) sprinted past defenders to score a rushing touchdown against Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) during first-quarter play at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on August 9, 2025. Fields’ dual-threat ability was on full display. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: 13-4
New York Jets: 7-10
New England Patriots: 7-10
Miami Dolphins: 6-11

The Bills feel inevitable in this division. Justin Fields will blossom in New York, unlike before in Chicago, but it won’t amount to much. A 7-10 record will be considered a step in the right direction for New England. The Dolphins will bottom out, and they will can Mike McDaniel.

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals: 11-6
**Baltimore Ravens: 11-6
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-9
Cleveland Browns: 4-13

Cincinnati is poised to bounce back from a playoff-less season, thanks to a decent defense. An injury to Lamar Jackson causes the Ravens to lose control of the division. Awkwardly, Pittsburgh posts its first losing record since 2003 with Aaron Rodgers in charge. Cleveland’s front office looks back and wonders why it thought green-lighting Joe Flacco was a good idea.

AFC South

Houston Texans: 11-6
**Jacksonville Jaguars: 10-7
Tennessee Titans: 5-12
Indianapolis Colts: 3-14

The Texans’ offensive line is shaky, preventing them from serious Super Bowl contendership. Jacksonville will be much better with Liam Coen. The Titans will need a year to cook with Cam Ward. Indianapolis will be a comedy of errors.

AFC West

Justin Herbert throws pass against Chiefs at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) launched a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on December 16, 2021. Herbert showcased his strong arm in a tightly contested AFC West battle. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

**Kansas City Chiefs: 12-5
**Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6
Denver Broncos: 9-8
Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12

The Chiefs are starving to erase the wicked February memory. Los Angeles will only improve and can win a playoff game this year. Bo Nix will encounter a sophomore slump while the defense flourishes. The Raiders’ roster just doesn’t have the juice inside a brutal division.

NFC East

Dak Prescott throws during Cowboys game vs. Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) delivered a throw during second-half action against the Arizona Cardinals on September 24, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Prescott led the Dallas offense as they tried to mount a comeback on the road. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports.

Philadelphia Eagles: 12-5
**Dallas Cowboys: 10-7
Washington Commanders 9-8
New York Giants: 4-13

Philadelphia doesn’t really have weaknesses. The Cowboys will be much better than most perceive. Washington slides back because it overachieved in Year No. 1 of the Dan Quinn Era. Jaxson Dart will play well at times as a rookie, but it won’t propel New York to much.

NFC North

Detroit Lions: 11-6
**Minnesota Vikings: 10-7
Green Bay Packers: 9-8
Chicago Bears: 7-10

Detroit won’t quite be the same without Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson. A murderous schedule stops the Vikings from repeating a 14-win season last year. Green Bay will play well enough to be a nuisance. The Bears spin an optimistic 7-10 record in a tough division.

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-7
Atlanta Falcons: 8-9
Carolina Panthers: 8-9
New Orleans Saints: 5-12

The Buccaneers basically play exactly like they did last year — good but not a serious threat. The Falcons vacillate between over and under .500. Carolina begins to climb the ladder, setting the stage for a 2026 playoff berth. New Orleans doesn’t catch fire because the quarterback play will be mediocre or poor.

NFC West

Kyler Murray warms up before Cardinals game vs. Bears at Soldier Field.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warmed up before the matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on December 24, 2023. Murray prepared on the field ahead of the NFC clash in cold December conditions. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.

San Francisco 49ers: 11-6
**Arizona Cardinals: 10-7
Los Angeles Rams: 8-9
Seattle Seahawks: 7-10

The 49ers rebound from a gross 2024 showing; that’s what they do. The Cardinals reach the postseason for the first time in four years. Matthew Stafford’s health sullies the Rams’ dreams. Sam Darnold learns that the grass isn’t always greener without Kevin O’Connell calling plays and Justin Jefferson + Jordan Addison bailing out his errant throws.

AFC Playoff Seeds

  1. Bills
  2. Chiefs
  3. Bengals
  4. Texans
  5. Ravens
  6. Chargers
  7. Jaguars

NFC Playoff Seeds

  1. Eagles
  2. Lions
  3. 49ers
  4. Buccaneers
  5. Vikings
  6. Cowboys
  7. Cardinals

AFC Playoffs

Chiefs over Jaguars
Chargers over Bengals
Ravens over Texans

Bills over Chargers
Chiefs over Ravens

Chiefs over Bills

NFC Playoffs

Lions over Cardinals
49ers over Cowboys
Vikings over Buccaneers

Eagles over Vikings
49ers over Lions

49ers over Eagles

Super Bowl LX

Kansas City vs. San Francisco 49ers

Super Bowl Champion

Kansas City Chiefs

Also Read:Vikings RB Predicted to Be Traded to Texans
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By Dustin Baker
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker