As the NFL season gears up, the Countdown to Kickoff series provides a playful yet eagerly anticipated look at bold predictions for all 32 teams ahead of the opening slate. The season kicks off with a prime-time battle between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending champions, in a matchup that already has headlines buzzing. A notable rumor in the mix is the idea that Dallas could trade star linebacker Micah Parsons to Green Bay, a bold move that would redefine the Cowboys’ roster dynamics.
Here are the bold takes from The Athletic’s round of 32-team predictions, offering a mix of optimism, risk, and what-ifs for the 2025 season:
Arizona Cardinals: The NFC’s last undefeated team
The Cardinals could emerge as a playoff contender in Year 3 under Jonathan Gannon if they start strong. With offensive weapons and defensive improvements on a favorable schedule, they might be 6-0 before facing Green Bay on Oct. 19, beginning with New Orleans and Carolina, then San Francisco, Seattle, Tennessee, and Indianapolis.
Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. surpasses 30 touchdown passes
Penix’s elite arm and aggressiveness could yield a leap to 30-plus TDs, aided by Zac Robinson’s offense. While accuracy questions remain from last season, his playmaking upside and increased opportunities are highlighted.
Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton wins Defensive Player of the Year
Hamilton could flip to a higher-impact role with the defense, aided by the addition of Malaki Starks to the secondary, enabling Hamilton to roam near the line of scrimmage and rack up sacks, tackles for loss, and turnovers.
Buffalo Bills: T.J. Sanders becomes a key playoff defender
Rookie defensive tackle Sanders flashed high-end potential in camp, and his presence could give Buffalo a formidable interior rush on passing downs, pairing with Ed Oliver to form a dangerous duo in critical moments.
Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan reaches 1,000 receiving yards
With Adam Thielen traded away and injuries thinning the receiver corps, McMillan is positioned to be a primary target for Bryce Young, developing early chemistry with the rookie and stepping into a major role.
Chicago Bears: D’Andre Swift tops 1,500 yards from scrimmage
Swift could rebound to a dominant role in a run-heavy scheme, leveraging a trusted play caller and improved offensive design to accumulate substantial rushing and receiving yardage.
Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown leads the AFC in yards from scrimmage
Brown’s extended workload could push him to lead the conference in total scrimmage yards as the Bengals build around his versatility and continue drawing attention to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Cleveland Browns: At least three different quarterbacks start games
With veteran Joe Flacco in the mix and ongoing questions at QB, the Browns could cycle through multiple starters during the season, continuing a recent trend of quarterback experimentation.
Dallas Cowboys: KaVontae Turpin scores at least 8 touchdowns
Turpin’s usage expands beyond return duties into a more integral offensive role, with multiple ways to score—receiving, rushing, and breaking plays in space.
Denver Broncos: Broncos win the AFC West
Denver’s roster is described as the most complete in years, featuring a stronger defense, a revamped passing game, and a more dynamic ground game, all under a third season in Payton’s system.
Detroit Lions: Brian Branch is a Defensive Player of the Year finalist
Branch’s versatility—covering, blitzing, and playing multiple alignments—adds another dynamic to Detroit’s defense, which could elevate him to DPOY consideration.
Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
Golden’s early impact in a receiver room hit by injuries positions him as a standout rookie who makes an immediate and noticeable difference in the passing game.
Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud reasserts himself in the MVP conversation
Stroud rebounds from a sophomore season characterized by line and receiver struggles, thriving with a healthier environment and a stronger supporting cast to drive a strong campaign.
Indianapolis Colts: Colts win the AFC South
With Daniel Jones at QB, Indianapolis aims to reclaim the division title and host a January playoff game if Jones delivers as hoped and the offense stabilizes behind improved line play.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter finishes in the top five for both Offensive and Defensive ROY
Hunter’s two-way impact—1,000 scrimmage yards on offense and multiple interceptions on defense—positions him for a rare dual-threat ROY run with a standout game on both sides of the ball.
Kansas City Chiefs: Defense ranks top three in sacks in 2025
A healthier defensive line and a rising pass rush, including Jones and a re-emerging Omenihu along with a promising rookie, could lift Kansas City into elite sack production.
Las Vegas Raiders: Geno Smith is a top-10 quarterback
Surrounded by talent and with a renewed offensive approach, Smith could rebound to a high-level season, delivering efficient play and leadership in a dynamic Jets-era offense.
Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton finishes top five in rushing
Hampton’s blend of power and burst, paired with an improved offensive line, could place him among the league’s rushing leaders as the Chargers lean on a productive ground game.
Los Angeles Rams: Run defense climbs into the top 10
After adding Poona Ford and improving linebacker depth, Los Angeles aims to close gaps against the run and elevate its overall defensive efficiency to a top-10 level.
Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle becomes Miami’s WR1
Waddle could seize the No. 1 role in a healthy offense, surpassing expectations with a heavy target share and big-play impact as Tyreek Hill enters the later stage of his prime.
Minnesota Vikings: Jonathan Greenard is a Defensive Player of the Year finalist
In Brian Flores’ system, Greenard’s elite pressure rate and playmaking presence could culminate in a season worthy of DPOY discussion.
New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson becomes a 1,000-yard rusher
Henderson’s speed and vision set him up to lead a Patriots backfield in rushing yards, surpassing the team’s other backs through a heavy workload and strong efficiency.
New Orleans Saints: Saints land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
With quarterback uncertainty and a rebuild underway, projections peg New Orleans to struggle, opening the door for a top pick in the next draft.
New York Giants: Jaxson Dart starts by Week 5
The plan to develop Dart behind Russell Wilson could shift early if the team stumbles, with Dart ready to step in and lead by midseason.
New York Jets: Braelon Allen leads the team in rushing
Even with Breece Hall in the rotation, Allen’s power and productivity could push him to lead the Jets in rushing yards as the offense evolves into a more run-first approach.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts passes for 4,000 yards
Despite last season’s strong rushing focus, an expanded passing attack could push Hurts past the 4,000-yard mark with a fuller weapons array and more passing volume.
Pittsburgh Steelers: DK Metcalf records 10 or more receiving touchdowns
Metcalf’s combination of size, physical style, and connection with the quarterback could yield a career-best TD season in the red zone and beyond.
San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy wins MVP at 30-to-1
With a healthy supporting cast and a strong coaching framework, Purdy could command MVP attention as he leads a balanced, high-powered offense.
Seattle Seahawks: No. 1 scoring defense
A broader defensive foundation, depth, and a return to form on the line could help Seattle dominate in scoring defense territory.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey leads the NFL in defensive tackle sacks
Kancey’s continued development, aided by Haason Reddick’s presence and improved health, could translate into a league-leading sack total from the interior.
Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons posts a 12-sack season
Simmons’ peak production could re-emerge with a lighter load elsewhere and added supporting pieces that amplify his pass-rush opportunities.
Washington Commanders: CB Trey Amos records five interceptions
Amos’ polished technique and versatility position him to become a ball-hawking presence early in his NFL career.
Countdown to Kickoff is produced in partnership with NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube TV, and The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
This collection of bold predictions is designed to spark discussion and shape the narrative as fans anticipate a season full of drama, breakouts, and surprises. The opening matchup between the Cowboys and Eagles sets the tone for a campaign where many players will exceed expectations and others will rewrite their career trajectories.
Additional notes and value-added angles:
– Readers can compare these bold takes with actual Week 1 results to gauge which predictions hit or miss, encouraging ongoing discussion across fan forums and social channels.
– For a broader view, you could link to quick profiles of players highlighted in the predictions, giving fans context on why certain picks are considered bold and what factors could influence outcomes.
– A short, hopeful takeaway: even the most outlandish predictions remind us that every season brings fresh opportunities, unexpected breakout performances, and new stories to tell as teams chase postseason glory. If even a few of these bold forecasts come true, they’ll shape highlight reels and conversations for months to come.