The 2025 NFL season is creeping ever nearer as teams across the league ramp up their efforts in preseason training camp. For some teams, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February is the sole aim for the season; for others, simply making it to the postseason is a significant hurdle to overcome.
Just 14 of the league’s 32 teams can make it, leaving 18Â to ponder what might have been. Those 18 teams get a fresh start each September, though, and all will have eyes on a playoff spot. But which of those teams is most likely to make the cut this season, and who might be another year or two away?
This article ranks the 18 teams that missed out on the playoffs last season, according to their likelihood of returning to the postseason, from least likely to most.
18) New York Giants
This one feels harsh, as the Giants have an exciting young group of skill players and are being led by a seasoned and decorated veteran in Russell Wilson. Wilson is no longer the MVP candidate he once was, but he can still provide a solid floor for the Giants’ offense while Jaxson Dart prepares to lead the franchise forward.
Unfortunately, the Giants’ 2025 schedule reads like a horror novel, with little room to breathe between playoff contenders and Super Bowl favorites. Such is the difficulty of New York’s schedule that if it fails to beat the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, there is a very real chance it goes 0-9Â to start the year.
If the Giants are more likely to pick first overall next year than make the playoffs, they will likely have a new coaching setup leading them into the 2026 season.
17) Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans have flooded their offense with new pass catchers and made some solid additions to their offensive line to help rookie quarterback Cam Ward in Year 1. Those changes will need to pay dividends if the team is to enjoy any success in 2025, after it fell to the first overall pick in the previous campaign.
The Titans’ offense averaged the fewest plays per drive (tied – 5.5), the fourth-fewest points per drive (tied – 1.6), and saw a league-high 16.8% of drives end in a turnover. The defense, meanwhile, allowed the third-most points in the league (460), suggesting at least one more offseason of change will be required in Nashville.
16) Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns’ offense averaged a league-low 1.21 points per drive in 2024 and will likely head into 2025 with Joe Flacco under center. Flacco guided the Browns to the playoffs as recently as 2023, but was a difficult watch in Indianapolis last season, winning just two of his six starts.
Despite his superior passing numbers, that win percentage was lower than Anthony Richardson’s. The Browns’ stacked division makes it challenging to envision a path to the playoffs this year. Cleveland’s 4.1 average yards per rush attempt was tied for seventh-fewest in the league, while their eight rushing touchdowns were the second-fewest.
Off-field issues threaten rookie running back Quinshon Judkins’ involvement in Year 1, meaning it could be more of the same in 2025. Flacco and Kenny Picket are both free agents in 2026, potentially prompting an early switch to either Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders if things go poorly.
15) New Orleans Saints
The Saints were almost one spot further back at 17, but the returns of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to the offense should make a big difference. The team’s two leading receivers missed 20 games between them last season, flattening any chances of success on offense.
the first touchdown on nfl sunday goes to… RASHID SHAHEED pic.twitter.com/nMCCK0yCDJ
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) September 8, 2024
While both have question marks over their health moving forward, new head coach Kellen Moore should be able to extract production out of his skill players in 2025. Alvin Kamara figures to continue his lead role in the backfield, but the loss of Derek Carr (retirement)Â is a notable one.
The Saints lost every one of the seven games that Carr missed in 2024, but appear happy enough with their options, having decided against moving for a veteran replacement.
14) New York Jets
Entering the dark-horse tier, the 2025 New York Jets might be the best Jets team we’ve seen in years. New head coach Aaron Glenn should be able to turn the Jets’ defense back into the competitive unit it was under Robert Saleh, creating a platform for success.
The commitment to Justin Fields suggests the team will lean heavily on the run game, complementing its defensive approach. Fields still has much to prove as a passer, and will get little help from his receivers outside of Garrett Wilson, who will likely get double-teamed throughout the year.
The Jets could take a big step forward this season in a division containing a spluttering Miami Dolphins and a rebuilding New England Patriots. If they can get it right, they have a path to playoff football, but their No. 14 ranking acknowledges their long-shot status.
13) Jacksonville Jaguars
Unlike the Jets, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most significant improvements in 2025 will likely come on offense, with respected play-caller Liam Coen joining as head coach. The Jaguars scored the seventh-fewest points (320) in 2024 but will hope to have quarterback Trevor Lawrence fully available this season, after he missed seven games last year.
Lawrence also has plenty of room to improve, though, and lost the two most-targeted players of his pro career in Christian Kirk and Evan Engram this offseason. Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter could be one of the most explosive receiving duos in the NFL this year, something the team may well need them to be.
BRIAN THOMAS JR. 15.5 FANTASY POINT TOUCHDOWN 😱 pic.twitter.com/C18qdKGuoC
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 6, 2024
The Jaguars’ defense was tied for the fifth-most points allowed in 2024 (435); games against both the AFC West and NFC West won’t make things easier this year.
12) New England Patriots
The New England Patriots will need more output from their offense in 2025 if they are to make an unlikely run at the playoffs. The team tallied the fewest net passing yards in the NFL last year (2,995), but added multiple skill players to Drake Maye’s supporting cast this offseason.
Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson joins veteran receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in New England, marking a significant upgrade for Maye. The team also brought in several veteran defensive additions as new head coach Mike Vrabel looks to change the culture.
Vrabel’s Titans teams were gritty and hard to beat, something the Patriots will look to emulate moving forward.
11) Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers being this high may surprise some, but the team enjoyed a stellar offseason and appears to have an exciting franchise quarterback. The Panthers were atrocious on defense in 2024, allowing an NFL record 534 points.
The NFC South side really struggled against the run, allowing a league-high 5.2 yards per attempt, but prioritized that side of the ball since March. Tershawn Wharton, Tre’von Moehrig, and Bobby Brown III were added in free agency, while edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen were taken on Day 2 of the draft.
Bryce Young’s resurrection in 2024 was mesmerizing. The former first overall pick dazzled after the team’s Week 11 bye, tallying 11 touchdowns to three interceptions through the air, adding five more touchdowns on the ground.
10) Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are yet another team with a new head coach, having hired Seattle Seahawks legend Pete Carroll in January. Carroll will be heavily focused on the team’s defense, which allowed the eighth-most points in 2024 (434).
The Raiders’ offense saw the biggest upgrade, though, with the mind-blowingly talented Ashton Jeanty becoming the team’s new running back. That followed a trade in which former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reunited with Carroll, replacing Gardner Minshew, who now backs up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.
ASHTON JEANTY 75-YARDS TO THE HOUSE 💨
14 carries, 132 yds, 1 TD in the 1st half 😤pic.twitter.com/DX9b85Clwi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 7, 2024
The Raiders scored the fourth-fewest points in 2024 (309), while averaging the fewest rushing yards per attempt (3.6). Things weren’t much better through the air, as the Raiders had the second-fewest net passing yards per attempt (5.1).
Jeanty, Smith, and second-round receiver Jack Bech should help in those areas, while Carroll’s past suggests the Raiders should be competitive at the very least.
9) Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are arguably the most upgraded team heading into 2025, having landed the leading head coaching candidate, Ben Johnson. Johnson didn’t hang around either, bolstering the team’s offensive and defensive lines as he looks to emulate his success with the Detroit Lions.
Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney, and Jonah Jackson all joined the team in free agency or trades, while Ozzy Trapilo was taken in the second round of the draft. That means 80%Â of the Bears’ offensive line could be new additions, while the defensive line was also reinforced.
Those changes should help keep Caleb Williams upright after the quarterback was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie year. The Bears still have to contend with a stacked NFC North division, but Johnson’s play-calling, coupled with the new arrivals, should see the Bears compete in 2025.
8) Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins carry plenty of red flags into 2025. Tua Tagovailoa is a walking health concern after being advised by many to retire last season due to repeated concussions. He will be under greater duress this year after veteran tackle and team leader Terron Armstead retired.
Tyreek Hill made it clear that he wanted out of Miami at the end of last season, but no trade has materialized, and he remains on the team. However, the Dolphins still have the weapons to make the playoffs and won eight games in 2024, despite Tagovailoa missing six games.
The Dolphins arguably have the broadest range of potential outcomes in 2025, but their explosive playmakers make them clear contenders for the playoffs.
7) Arizona Cardinals
The NFC West is a difficult division to predict in 2025, as the San Francisco 49ers look to get back to winning ways. The Cardinals won eight games last season, but beat the 49ers on two occasions and won just two games against eventual playoff teams.
The NFC West also has a friendly schedule, though, facing off against both the NFC South and the AFC South. The Cardinals will fancy themselves to repeat their dominance over the 49ers, and will also be eyeing a new-look Seahawks team that lost some stars this offseason.
Arizona is a team on the up, but a 49ers bounce-back would likely see them drop back to fourth in the division.
6) Indianapolis Colts
It’s challenging to consider the Indianapolis Colts’ playoff chances without being immediately put off by Anthony Richardson’s wild, erratic arm and lack of leadership. However, the second-year quarterback won half of his full games in 2024, a pace that would have seen him win eight or nine games over a full season.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON 60-YARD DIME TO ALEC PIERCE.
📺: #HOUvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/p0xddm5Kl1— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
That would put the Colts on par with every team on this list, except the Seahawks, who missed out on the postseason due to their strength of victory last year. The Colts are much more than just their quarterback situation, too. The team made several notable additions on defense during the offseason.
Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum were added in free agency, while pass rusher JT Tuimoloau was added in Round 2 of April’s draft. Those additions further improve a defense that allowed the ninth-fewest points in 2024 (427), something the Colts will rely on this coming season.
5) Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks fans could be forgiven for succumbing to a sense of sadness as multiple fan favorites left the team this offseason.
The aforementioned Smith, now in Las Vegas, was joined in the departure lounge by DK Metcalf and Seahawks legend Tyler Lockett. Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have been brought in to replace the outgoing stars.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Welcome to the DOME!
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/QRmg5SRBZn
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 10, 2024
Valdes-Scantling follows new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to Seattle after a successful partnership in New Orleans last season. The former Chief will provide a deep threat, allowing Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba to thrive underneath.
The changes on offense should be counteracted by a year of familiarity with Mike Macdonald’s defense. The second-year head coach aims to build on a 2024 performance that saw the team allow the 13th-fewest points in the NFL (tied – 368).
4) Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons head into the 2025 season looking to win their first division title since the 2016 season. 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix will look to cement his position as the team’s starting quarterback after Kirk Cousins ceded the role late last year.
The Falcons were clear leaders of the NFC South before Cousins’ drop in form, and will aim to finish the job this time around. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on their fourth offensive coordinator in as many years, after the aforementioned Coen left to become the Jaguars’ head coach.
The Falcons’ defense pressured quarterbacks at the eighth-lowest rate in the NFL last year (20.0%), while they recorded the second-fewest sacks (30). The team spent a lot of draft capital to land two first-round edge rushers in April’s draft, but it will be well worth it if they can make the difference in Year 1.
3) Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys could have easily landed higher on this list, but their tough schedule sees them land at number three. Not only do the Cowboys have their own divisional opponents to worry about, but showdowns with the NFC North and AFC West will provide little mercy.
The team’s run game will need to vastly improve, as it neglected the position in 2024, although its offseason additions this year have also left a lot to be desired. Only two teams averaged fewer yards per carry than Dallas did in 2024 (3.9), while none scored fewer rushing touchdowns (6).
However, the team’s high-powered passing game should be enough to win games, with George Pickens now partnering with CeeDee Lamb in the receiving game. The Cowboys have never recorded a losing season when Prescott has remained healthy, and should be playoff contenders again in 2025.
2) San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ high ranking on this list may raise some eyebrows after their dismal display in 2024. The 2023 NFC champions, though, have a dream schedule this coming season. Like their NFC West rivals, they face games against both the AFC South and NFC South.
While single games against NFC North, AFC North, and NFC East opposition sound dreadful, though, their fourth-place finish last year has served them well. While their rivals face three tough games, the 49ers face games against the Bears, Browns, and Giants.
The expected return of Christian McCaffrey should have a huge effect on the offense, but high-profile exits will take their toll. Overall, though, San Francisco still boasts some of the best players in the game on both sides of the ball and is expected to return to winning ways in 2025.
1) Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense still threatens to be one of the worst in the league this year, but the team’s offense puts them above every other team on this list. The Bengals scored the seventh-most points in the NFL last season, but were the only team in the top 11 in that stat to miss the postseason.
In fact, the Bengals outscored the Steelers by 101 points in 2024, but it was their divisional rivals who advanced. Cincinnati will need to tighten things up, starting with an end to the Trey Hendrickson saga that has plagued their offseason.
If new defensive coordinator Al Golden can get even average numbers from his players this year, the Bengals should be Super Bowl contenders, let alone playoff hopefuls.
