Some might be relieved that the 2025 NFL regular season has wrapped up.
In total, 14 teams feel they’re on the cusp of something great, while 18 others remain stagnant, hoping to join that group next year. The nature of sports can be harsh—it gives us hope and a coping mechanism, and we all dream of that exhilarating moment when it finally happens.
Here at our team, we’re here to break it down and discuss what’s happening.
Let’s dive right in. It’s playoff time.
Who’s the biggest paper tiger among playoff teams?
All 14 playoff teams have their own strengths, but some clearly have more to show than others.
Now, it might sound a bit odd, but I just can’t bring myself to believe in the Denver Broncos at this moment. Sure, they hold the top seed in the AFC and have an easy pass to the divisional round, but I can’t picture them advancing much further.
In my personal view, I think the Bills, Patriots, and Texans will emerge from the AFC wild card round. If that’s the case, the Bills are heading to Denver for their matchup, and I think they’d be quite eager for that opportunity to get back to the Super Bowl.
Denver hasn’t really shown they can stand against top teams this season. I firmly believe this.
Actually, I’ve got my sights set on the Broncos. They may be the AFC’s top seed, but I can’t shake the feeling that a team riding such incredible luck won’t realistically keep it up throughout the playoffs. In 2025, they went 11-0 in one-score games, including a game where the Giants’ defense had a historic meltdown, allowing 33 points in a single quarter.
Believe it or not, the Broncos’ starting offense failed to score a single touchdown against the Chargers’ backups. If I were another team, this is definitely not an offense I’d dread facing in the playoffs.
Which team is currently the toughest to face?
After seeing the Chargers struggle against the Jaguars in their first matchup since that playoff collapse back in 2023, I’m inclined to steer clear of them. The Jaguars finished strong with an eight-game winning streak and seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time for the playoffs.
The Texans are another team that’s unnerving mainly because any squad with a solid pass rush could really trouble my Chargers—and probably most teams, too. I really wouldn’t want to face pass rushers like Daniel Hunter or Will Anderson in the first round.
Ultimately, the toughest opponent might just be the Seattle Seahawks, but I’d say the San Francisco 49ers deserve a mention as well.
Although San Francisco struggled in their final regular season game and now have to hit the road, they’ve been mostly strong throughout the last month. They’re heading to Philadelphia for the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 NFC Championship, which was a disaster after Brock Purdy got injured and they were left without a quarterback… It’s time for them to showcase their actual playmaker.
Kyle Shanahan has executed well all season, but I certainly wouldn’t want to face him or his squad.
Which head coach would be the most appealing hire right now?
I’ve long thought it would be tough for any team to overtake the New York Giants, but I feel the Atlanta Falcons are in a bit of a bind.
Atlanta has its fair share of issues, but let’s be honest—they possess a lot of offensive talent. If they can manage to land Liam Cohen this year (which, I know, is easier said than done), they could come back strong next season.
A significant factor for me when considering such decisions is the competition out there. If you’re joining the Falcons, they primarily just need to outperform the struggling NFC South to make the playoffs next year. This whole situation is pretty intriguing.
I like the idea of the Falcons as a potential landing spot because they have a wealth of talent on offense and a quarterback who might be on the brink of greatness. With a bunch of young defensive players, there are still promising opportunities for free agents.
If I were a candidate for an offensive head coaching job, I’d be excited about starting with talent like Bijan Robinson. Plus, having guys like Drake London and Kyle Pitts would be advantageous! I really think this could be a great fit for Kevin Stefanski now that the Browns have parted ways with him.
Which team missed the necessary staff changes?
Honestly, it seems silly that the Giants have kept Joe Schoen as their general manager, but as a Cowboys fan, I’m quite pleased with that decision.
If I had to choose, I’d say the Cincinnati Bengals missed the mark. Zac Taylor has done a decent job, but it feels like he’s not fully capitalizing on the Joe Burrow era, which we might look back on with regret.
When you land a franchise quarterback of Burrow’s caliber, it’s essential to do everything possible to maximize his potential. It’s unfortunate that Cincinnati doesn’t seem intent on doing so.
Moreover, I find it quite baffling that Andrew Berry keeps his job while Kevin Stefanski didn’t survive. The Haslams seem to retain a failing general manager only because it serves their interests. To me, that suggests they have enough influence over him and they prefer it that way. A typical franchise aiming for a genuine fresh start wouldn’t hesitate to cut ties with everyone. If the Browns falter again in 2026, they have no one to blame but themselves.
