Early 2024-2025 NFL Playoff Predictions

By Finn Konary

Predicting Every Playoff Team in the 2024-25 NFL Season

Lombardi Trophy Awarded to the Super Bowl Champion

The NFL preseason is months away. The regular season? Even more. The playoffs? Completely out of the picture. With that, here are super early playoff predictions, specifically, which 14 teams will make the NFL playoffs and why.

AFC:

North Division Winner: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens will repeat as division champions. If Lamar Jackson is healthy, that offense is borderline unstoppable, especially with the addition of running back Derrick Henry. Their roster is pretty much the same as it was last year, including their stellar defense. There is no reason why they shouldn’t be a top team in the league again and run through their division. Especially with last years playoff heartbreak fresh in their minds.

East Division Winner: Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins will get over the hump and win their division due to their speedy offense, including star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, running back Raheem Mostert and others. They also boast a solid defense, which could get better with Anthony Weaver arriving on the scene and they should be primed to take the division title after their division rival, the Buffalo Bills lost many important players in the offseason.

South Division Winner: Houston Texans

The Texans proved last year that they can be a contender, as quarterback C.J. Stroud played like an absolute stud in his first year. He was helped by breakout receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins and a solid defense. The Texans had an amazing free agency, signing many key free agents like star receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive end Danielle Hunter. Second year head coach DeMeco Ryans and General Manager Nick Caserio have turned this franchise around and have made them even better this season, there is no reason why they shouldn’t repeat as division champions.

West Division Winner: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are on a mission to three-peat, with generational QB talent Patrick Mahomes at the helm, star tight end Travis Kelce, and running back Isiah Pacheco, their offense has always been borderline unstoppable. Giving reason to why, they have been division champions for the past eight seasons. On top of that, they were able to retain star defensive tackle Chris Jones. With virtually the same roster, they should easily win the division again.

Wild Card Team 1: Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers added a winner with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who won the National Championship with Michigan last season. He will help the Chargers unlock the potential of their highly talented defense as well as maximize the potential of Justin Herbert. This team has always had a very talented roster but could never put it together the last few seasons under their previous head coach, Brandon Staley. Now, Chargers fans can trust in Jim Harbaugh to put it together.

Wild Card Team 2: New York Jets

The New York Jets had a major stroke of bad luck last year, losing star veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the first game of the season with an Achilles injury. With him healthy, they should be able to put a promising young offense on the right track. Furthermore, the Jets have boasted a great defense the past few seasons, with key players Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. This well-rounded team should be able to contend for a wild card spot securing their first playoff berth since 2010.

Wild Card Team 3: Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin is an amazing coach. To evidence his greatness, it should be known that the Steelers have not had a losing record in 16 consecutive seasons under his leadership. His defense, headlined by stars on the line such as T.J Watt and Cam Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, is very good. Additionally, they have new quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. The organization and its fans are hoping one of the signal callers can give the offense a new spark.

NFC

North Division Winner: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions won the division last year, and they will do it again. They have a powerful offense led by quarterback Jared Goff and star receiver Amon Ra St-Brown that is very high-scoring. In the offseason, they were able to add to their already solid defense and make a good team better.

East Division Winner: Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles did not finish the season well last year and ended up as first round exits in the playoffs. This offseason, they have added to their already amazing defense, with the likes of star defensive back C.J. Gardner Johnson. Also, they were able to retain star receiver A.J. Brown and added former New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkely. On top of this, they boast an incredibly deep roster. This Eagles team will be a major issue for any team to face.

South Division Winner: Atlanta Falcons

The NFC South was a very close division last season overall, it is the Falcons who have worked the hardest in the offseason to improve their roster, and therefore they will have the edge over their division rivals. They now have not one but two potential starting quarterbacks, veteran Kirk Cousins and Rookie Michael Penix Jr. One of them will be throwing to the likes of Drake London and Kyle Pitts and handing it off to star running back Bijan Robinson. Additionally, their new head coach, Raheem Morris, looks to give the defense a spark.

West Division Winner: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are still the best team in the NFC, and their roster remains virtually unchanged from last season, in which they went to the Superbowl. Their offense is a powerhouse, with stars Deebo Samuel, Christian Mccaffrey, George Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy. Their defense is one of the best in the league, with Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and others. They won the division last year, and will certainly do it again.

Wild Card Team 1: Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have a good veteran offense, with receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as well as quarterback Geno Smith. Their defense on the other hand is young and talented, featuring Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen. With a new head coach in Mike Macdonald, this well rounded team will be able to compete for a wildcard spot in the NFC.

Wild Card Team 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs won the NFC south last season, but this season they are likely to be a wild card team due to the strength of the Atlanta Falcons. That being said, the Bucs have a solid offense with receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin as well as newly proven quarterback Baker Mayfield. They also have a dangerous defense to complement their offense, including stars Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield Jr. These factors will allow them to contend in the NFC.

Wild Card Team 3: Chicago Bears

The Bears have a virtually new-look offense, starting with a new quarterback in Caleb Williams, who they drafted first overall. Furthermore, they have a new rookie receiver in Rome Odunze and a new veteran stud receiver in Keenan Allen, coming off one of the best seasons in his career. In short, this new offense is dangerous and will be trouble for any opponent.

Last Year's Super Bowl Champion: The Kansas City Chiefs