It’s the offseason, which means it’s prime time for delusion. Every team is undefeated in May, fan bases are daydreaming about playoff runs, MVP candidates, and “this is our year” declarations with absolutely no grip on reality.
But some teams are a little more grounded than others. From Super Bowl contenders with realistic goals to franchises drunk on false hope, here’s how the entire NFL stacks up based on who’s living in the biggest fantasy world.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl victory, and their roster is still loaded. They need to remember they’re not entitled to anything.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
They live in reality because they are the reality. Everyone else is chasing them while they casually reload.
30. Baltimore Ravens
The heartbreak is real, but so is the contender status. Lamar’s still in his prime, and the window is open.
29. Detroit Lions
This team finally lived up to the hype and wants more. They’re not dreaming, they’re expecting, and it’s justified.
28. Cincinnati Bengals
The only fantasy here is imagining Burrow will stay healthy all year. If he does, they’re right back in the mix.
27. Buffalo Bills
The fantasy isn’t winning the AFC East, it’s thinking the team doesn’t need to evolve. Still, Allen gives them a shot every time out.
26. Washington Commanders
New ownership has the fanbase buzzing again, and Jayden Daniels led them to the NFC Championship game last year. But the leap from chaos to contender isn’t overnight, and the Commanders will have to back it up this year.
25. San Francisco 49ers
They’ve been knocking on the Super Bowl door for years and have every reason to think it’s wide open. However, last year’s struggles prove that anything can happen.
24. Houston Texans
They earned the hype this time. It’s not fantasy if it’s built on actual results and a superstar quarterback.
23. Dallas Cowboys
The eternal “this is our year” squad is back with the same energy. But at least the roster is still stacked enough to make it plausible.
22. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love looks like the guy, and the team around him is growing. Maybe the fantasy is just how fast some fans expect it to come together.
21. Los Angeles Rams
They still believe the window’s open, and honestly, they might not be wrong. But eventually, Father Time catches up, even in Hollywood.
20. Miami Dolphins
Every offseason, there is a Super Bowl parade in their heads. The only thing they haven’t dreamed up is how to win in December and January.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
New QB hope, same old gritty attitude. But the fantasy is pretending that’s enough in today’s AFC.
18. Denver Broncos
The Broncos had a strong year in 2024 with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, but there’s always the chance of a sophomore slump.
17. Atlanta Falcons
The team thinks it has found the missing piece with Michael Penix Jr. Let’s check back in December to see if that fantasy holds up.
16. Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson is the real deal, maybe? Good thing they have Daniel Jones as a backup! Oh wait.
15. Seattle Seahawks
Still stuck somewhere between rebuilding and contending. The fantasy is believing they can do both at once.
14. Cleveland Browns
They’ve got talent everywhere, but the Deshaun Watson situation clouds everything. The fantasy is thinking that’s all in the past.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
They’re convinced last year was a fluke. But what if it wasn’t? Maybe Travis Hunter will be the answer.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker’s got that underdog magic again, but relying on it feels dicey. The NFC South helps the dream stay alive.
11. Los Angeles Chargers
Every season is a fresh chapter in the same tragic book. Believing this year will be different is the ultimate fantasy.
10. Minnesota Vikings
They’re in between eras but still think they can hang. That’s not hope, that’s denial. Though maybe JJ McCarthy can turn things around?
9. New Orleans Saints
They have a new coach, Derek Carr, who has retired, and they don’t have a starting quarterback. This will be a rebuild year for Saints fans.
8. Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams had a so-so rookie season, but fans believe this will be his breakout year. Let’s pump the brakes and see if this new head coach can make it through the year first.
7. New York Giants
The New York Giants are hitting the refresh button regarding their quarterback situation, which has only amplified the delusion. The leap fans are expecting feels more like a blindfolded long jump.
6. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee had an awful 2024 season, but they hope to turn things around in 2025. However, it’s more likely the fantasy thinks they can flip the switch after bottoming out.
5. Arizona Cardinals
They’ve got a scrappy vibe and a healthy Kyler. But thinking they’re more than a work-in-progress is ambitious.
4. New England Patriots
New regime, new outlook. The fantasy is pretending the dynasty residue will magically carry over.
3. Carolina Panthers
This year has to be better for Bryce Young, right? Right?? That’s the thinking keeping this fantasy afloat.
2. New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers is gone, they have a new coach, and Justin Fields is their quarterback. I’m sure this will all go great!
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Every year, it’s a new slogan, a new quarterback, and the same false hope. No team does offseason delusion quite like the Raiders.
Read More: 15 NFL Teams That Got Desperate and It Backfired
