Key Highlights
- The 2025 NFL season is at its midpoint, and analysts have updated their preseason predictions for the playoff field.
- A total of 31 analysts participated in making these picks, with each providing a unique perspective on division winners and wild-card teams.
- Buffalo Bills are predicted to win the AFC East with odds of -165, while Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East with -2500 odds.
- The top wild-card team predictions include New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks in the AFC, and Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC.
Midseason Analyst Predictions for 2025 NFL Playoffs
The National Football League (NFL) is halfway through its 2025 season, and as teams battle it out on the field, a group of seasoned analysts from NFL.com have updated their predictions for the playoff field. The AFC and NFC conferences are seeing various strong contenders vying for division titles and wild-card spots.
AFC Division Winners and Wild-Card Teams
In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills stand out as the top pick to win the AFC East with a record of 6-2 and odds of -165. This prediction has garnered support from all 22 analysts involved in the poll. The New England Patriots are closely following with a 7-2 record and +135 odds, backed by three analysts.
The NFC division predictions also reveal strong contenders. The Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East with an impressive record of 6-2 and -2500 odds, making them the unanimous choice among analysts.
NFC Division Winners and Wild-Card Teams
Heading into the second half of the season, the Detroit Lions are predicted to win the NFC North with a 5-3 record and +130 odds. Green Bay Packers, with a slightly better record at 5-2-1, follow closely behind.
In the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold an unassailable lead with a 6-2 record and -800 odds, supported by all 24 analysts. The Carolina Panthers are their closest competitors with a 5-4 record and +700 odds, backed by just one analyst.
The AFC wild-card predictions include the New England Patriots (7-2) as the top pick for the fifth seed, while the Denver Broncos (7-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) are also projected to compete in the wild-card round.
Los Angeles Chargers (6-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3), Buffalo Bills (6-2), and Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3) are listed as potential seventh-seed teams.
In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks (6-2) are the top wild-card team prediction for the fifth seed. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1), Los Angeles Rams (6-2), and San Francisco 49ers (6-3) also have strong chances to secure a spot in the wild-card round.
Analyst Consensus
The NFL.com analysts, including Keegan Abdoo, Michael Baca, Mike Band, Judy Battista, Jeremy Bergman, Tom Blair, and many others, have provided their expert opinions on the most likely playoff participants. Their predictions reflect a mix of current team performance and future expectations based on upcoming games.
The midseason crystal ball serves as a valuable tool for fans, scouts, and teams to gauge where each squad stands in the race for the playoffs. As the 2025 NFL season progresses, these projections will be updated, providing fans with an insight into the potential path to Super Bowl LIX.
For more detailed analysis and updates on the 2025 NFL playoff predictions, stay tuned to NFL.com.
