New York, December 01, 2025
Bill Barnwell’s 2025 NFL forecast identifies four NFL divisions locked in fierce competition, with 10 teams vying for playoff spots across the AFC and NFC. The preview highlights key divisional battles set to shape postseason qualifications this season.
Divisions in the Spotlight
Barnwell emphasizes the AFC South as a tight race, primarily between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans, despite being favored by ESPN’s Football Power Index with a 54.3% chance to win the division, are projected by Barnwell to miss the playoffs due to vulnerabilities in their roster and the possibility that multiple division champions may be excluded from contention. Conversely, the Jaguars, holding a 39.3% chance to claim the division, are expected to capitalize on quarterback improvements and a tougher divisional landscape. The Titans and Colts also figure to improve, adding depth to the competition.
The NFC East features a compelling battle between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Commanders are forecasted to snatch the division title, attributed to their robust offensive line and a comparatively easier schedule. Meanwhile, the Eagles, who remain a top-tier team, are slated as the first wild card contender due to a more challenging schedule and the Commanders’ growth.
In the NFC North, a probable regression for the Detroit Lions looms after their 15-win campaign in 2024. Defensive struggles during key player injuries and escalating competition from the Packers and Vikings increase pressure on the Lions to maintain their standing.
The AFC West’s playoff race intensifies among the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills. The Bengals are favored in pivotal matchups against the Ravens and Bills, attributed to their favorable schedule and recent form, positioning them as a formidable playoff contender. The Ravens and Bills remain competitive, ensuring a closely contested division.
Playoff Implications
Barnwell notes that the concentrated playoff contention involves 10 teams across these four divisions: Texans, Jaguars, Titans, Colts, Commanders, Eagles, Giants, Lions, Packers, and Vikings, alongside the Bengals, Ravens, and Bills. Given the NFL’s playoff format guaranteeing at least one division representative, intra-division competition is expected to be more intense than ever. Wildcard spots are projected to be fiercely contested, notably by teams like the Eagles, Lions, and Ravens should they fall short of division wins.
Context and Relevance
This preview draws upon historical NFL trends, emphasizing the challenges of sustaining success, with quarterback performance, defensive health, and schedule difficulty emerging as decisive factors. Barnwell’s analysis underscores the heightened stakes that fans and stakeholders can anticipate, as playoff qualifications may hinge on closely fought games deep into the season.
These projected tight races forecast an NFL season marked by unpredictability and heightened competition, spotlighting teams on the brink of playoff contention shaping league narratives in 2025.