The NFL playoffs here and we’re left with a very interesting, largely unexpected field of contenders! I put together the most info-packed preview of the tournament, introducing all 14 teams individually and breaking down each matchup, leading up to Super Bowl LX!
The final week of the 2025/26 regular season is upon us, and there’s a lot to still be decided as we think ahead to the NFL playoffs. Instead of previewing one of these games in detail, I decided to map out *how* you should schedule your weekend to keep up with all the action.
So obviously the stand-alone games are part of that, but I’ll also tell how you might want your quad box to look like – or if you even really need one. More importantly, for those three division-deciding matchups, I will share the key element(s) to pay attention to either side of the ball, including personnel/situational tendencies, how to attack their opponents, and what we can learn from they met the first time. Plus, I simply added a final score prediction for every game.
(I didn’t want to always add “tie” as an option, but obviously if a tie were to happen, that would put the teams involved half a game above/below others, depending on how they finish.)
Let’s get into the slate:
Happy holidays, everyone! As we approach Christmas eve and I didn’t have the time to write a full-fledged article, I thought this was a good time to talk about one critical area of growth for the Jaguars, Patriots, Bears and Panthers, who all won yet again this past weekend and are in the driver’s seats to home playoff games, after being projected to have losing records, based on betting odds. In fact, Carolina is the only one among those that hasn’t secured playoff berth yet.
The purpose of this isn’t to sing the praises of Drake Maye or talk about the Bears defense still leading the league in turnovers forced. Rather, I want to shine light on one piece of the puzzle for each of these teams, which has allowed them to get to this place, but is rarely ever being talked about.
The Chicago Bears currently lead the NFC North with a 10-4 record, thanks to timely big-time throws by their quarterback, an opportunistic defense, but most importantly, a smashmouth run game orchestrated by Ben Johnson. I want to illustrate how they’ve found this much success on the ground, thanks to all the different layers and great attention to detail.
We’re three quarters through the 2025 NFL season and it’s time for one more look at all 32 teams. As always, please bear in mind that these are power *rankings* rather than standings. So you may see one team be listed above another with a better record or even one they’ve already lost to head-to-head at some point – the objective is to weigh them against the rest of the league at large, and how many opponents I’d favor them over. Especially, as playoff seedings are starting to materialize, we’re somewhat looking ahead at who can go the distance, even though this is more meant to be a snapshot of this moment.
I took injuries into account and weighed current form more heavily, while compared to earlier in the season, we have a pretty good picture of what teams are in all three facets of the game. Although you’ll find a variety of statistics and advanced metrics to support my arguments, they’re all primarily grounded in having watched every single matchup up to this opponent, either on the broadcast, the All-22, or both.
Let’s get to the full rankings:
On the eve of Thanksgiving, I wanted to get out this video on four things I’m thankful for being able to watch around the league, on a weekly basis – including both players and coaches, two on offense and defense each.
Now with every NFL team having played double-digit games, I thought it was time to reflect on the current state of the league when it comes to quarterback play, by ranking and bucketing all 32 starters, as I ultimately settled on eight different categories.
For this exercise, I chose the players who have been fixtures in the lineup for multiple contests and largely are expected to be in those roles for the rest of the season. That means you won’t see names like Joe Burrow, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray and Spencer Rattler, who other than Burrow of course, would probably all end up around the top of the “starters with defined limitations” tier.
This is how I have everyone stacked up:
Buffalo came into the 2025 season as Super Bowl favorites. After ten weeks, they sit at 6-3 with the league’s reigning MVP and some big wins on their resume, but they’ve also shown a major weakness when it comes to defending the run. I want to break down some of their structural issues, personnel deficiencies and how opponents have challenged them so far.
With the NFL having adopted an 18-week format, this marks the exact midpoint of this season, and it’s time to hand out awards. I will go through each of them, presenting my top three candidates, before I finish up with my All-Pro teams.
Compared to my full-season predictions back in late August, there are no projections to these nominations, but rather just how I would vote for each award if the season ended today. So you will see some players show up, who won’t actually win any of these awards or be named All-Pro most likely because they’re currently injured and will miss the rest of the year in some cases.
Let’s get into them:
With the 2025 NFL trade deadline coming up next Tuesday (Nov. 4) at 4pm ET, here are the ten moves I’d like to see happen!
(This is simply a copy of my social media post, rather than my typical full-fledged article)
This is more of a long-term investment for Kevin O’Connell, potentially having two more years of contractual control. They can still give JJ McCarthy his opportunity, but could get Richardson onto the field late and give themselves options.
There’s no need for Tennessee to limit touches for Tyjae Spears, off the high-ankle sprain. Meanwhile, Isiah Pacheco just got banged up and the Chiefs haven’t found much consistency on the ground. Pollard is scheme-versatile and adds some juice.
New Orleans has been openly shopping their WRs. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is throwing the ball 3.1 yards short of the sticks on average, relying heavily on yards after the catch. Olave could provide some air underneath as a vertical threat.
Tampa Bay has lost Mike Evans for the season, along with having other WRs in and out of the lineup. Adding Njoku’s explosiveness from the TE spot could diversify their passing attack. Cleveland can continue to lean more into rookie Harold Fannin Jr.
The Raiders OL has been a mess. With JPJ having started to settle in at guard, this would offer Houston options to either plug him in there or replace center Jake Andrews. We just saw what C.J. Stroud is capable of with a solid pocket.
Cincy handed Hendrickson a one-year extension in the offseason, but now not competing for a title, it’s best for both sides to move on, and the Niners badly need pass-rush help. They could also be in the market for Jets LB Quincy Williams.
Dean took a massive step forward last season and has looked solid in his return from injury. Yet, Philly can’t afford to take rookie Jihaad Campbell off the field. Meanwhile, LB is a major weakness for Indy (no one with a PFF grade higher than 58.0).
Although NY’s defense has been best on defined dropbacks, putting KT on the field with Burns & Carter, they should try to get returns on the former top 10 pick, in the final year of his rookie deal. Baltimore is tied for 31st in sacks (9).
NY traded for Jarvis Brownlee Jr. in Carter’s absence, who’s become a key contributor for them, limiting the veteran to 6 defensive snaps in his return. Chicago recently placed starting nickel Kyler Gordon on IR and Carter would be a great fit.
Buffalo could use help at DT with Ed Oliver’s injury, but their biggest issue has been angles + missed tackles by their safeties – Thompson is right at his career average of just a 7%. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is ready to step in for Arizona.
Saints QB Spencer Rattler ➡️ Browns
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard ➡️ Vikings
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. ➡️ Patriots
Titans IDL Jeffery Simmons ➡️ Cowboys
Jets LB Quincy Williams ➡️ 49ers
Vikings CB Isaiah Rodgers ➡️ Eagles
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