Every NFL offseason brings a tidal wave of optimism, bold predictions, and delusional fan takes. But not every team that’s trending on social media is actually trending in the right direction on the field.
Some franchises are getting a little too much preseason love based on vibes, old reputations, or a few shiny new additions. Here are 15 teams being talked up way more than they probably should be heading into the 2025 season.
15. Seattle Seahawks
There’s plenty of buzz in Seattle, but not a lot of substance behind it. The offense is talented, sure, but is Sam Darnold really going to be the guy to save this team?!
14. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a rookie QB and plenty of skill players, but they have to sustain their success for an entire season. Everyone’s acting like they’re about to shock the world, but it may take a little bit of time.
13. Cleveland Browns
The defense is solid, but the offense feels more theoretical than threatening. And who will be their quarterback? Guess we’ll have to wait and find out.
12. Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr looks like a legit player, but that doesn’t make the Falcons instant contenders. If you think they’re running away with the NFC South, you might want to watch an actual Falcons game first.
11. Miami Dolphins
Fast and flashy get headlines, but Miami’s struggles in 2024 were telling. Until they prove they can hang with physical teams in cold weather, the hype train feels a little premature.
10. New York Jets
It’s a new year with a new coach and a new quarterback. We’ve seen this before! Maybe this time it’ll be different?
9. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love looks promising, but let’s slow down on the MVP talk. The roster is young, talented, and still figuring things out, especially on defense.
8. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud was solid last year, but the Texans need to actually win a playoff game before we start thinking about the Super Bowl. With a tough schedule and some roster holes, expecting a deep playoff run feels like a stretch.
7. Los Angeles Rams
No Cooper Kupp. An aging Matthew Stafford. And a team that got hot against soft competition last year—this might not end well.
6. Detroit Lions
The Lions have been the NFL’s feel-good story, but now they have a target on their backs. With a brutal schedule ahead, making it to the Super Bowl won’t be easy.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is spectacular, but January hasn’t been kind to Baltimore. Until they get over the playoff hump, the Super Bowl chatter feels a bit forced.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin is a wizard, but even he might struggle with this roster. The quarterback situation is shaky, and there’s not much elite talent to lean on.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
They’re chasing yet another Super Bowl appearance, but cracks are showing. Outside of Mahomes, this roster has some depth issues, and the margin for error is slimmer than it looks.
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2. Philadelphia Eagles
Yes, they just won the Super Bowl, but it’s very hard to repeat. While they will probably have a lot of wins, they won’t have that same drive and determination they had last season.
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1. Dallas Cowboys
America’s Team always wins the offseason, but rarely wins when it counts. With Dak Prescott under pressure and a fanbase already planning the parade, the hype is once again several steps ahead of reality.
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