The most overrated and underrated teams heading into the 2025 NFL Season
Breaking down some of the NFL's most overrated and underrated teams heading into the new year.
I can’t remember the last time the NFL felt this balanced.
Sure, we all have our favorites, teams that seem like the cream of the crop heading into 2025. But the league has gotten tighter, with more teams improving than regressing. Parity is at an all-time high, and with that comes plenty of debate.
So let’s break down the most overrated and underrated teams as we head into the new season.
🚨 Overrated Teams
🟥 Washington Commanders
“Wait, they just made the NFC Championship!”
I know and I’m not calling them bad. But I am calling for regression.
Jayden Daniels had an incredible rookie season, but the “sophomore slump” is a very real thing. There’s no denying Washington is talented, but the expectations might be getting a little too unrealistic after exceeding them last year.
🧩 Key Additions:
🔹 Laremy Tunsil, OT
🔹 Deebo Samuel, WR
🔹 Jonathan Jones, CB
🔹 Javon Kinlaw, DL
❌ Key Departures:
🔸 Jonathan Allen, DL
🔸 Jeremy Chinn, S
🔸 Dyami Brown, WR
🟡 Detroit Lions
“The Commanders AND the Lions?!”
Yup. Again, this isn’t about calling them bad, but expectations are sky-high. The Ben Johnson departure is a big deal. He was the engine behind that offensive dominance. Can Jared Goff and Co. replicate that same production without him?
Detroit is still dangerous, but I’m betting on some offensive regression in 2025.
🧩 Key Additions:
🔹 D.J. Reed, CB
🔹 Zach Cunningham, LB
🔹 Rock Ya-Sin, CB
❌ Key Departures:
🔸 Ben Johnson, OC
🔸 Carlton Davis, CB
🔸 Kevin Zeitler, G
🟦 Chicago Bears
“This one hurts.”
As a Bears fan myself, it pains me to put them here. But hype can be a dangerous thing. Caleb Williams is a generational prospect, but he’s still only in his second season. And while Ben Johnson is a fantastic offensive mind, this is still his first year as a head coach.
We've seen this story before in Chicago: a new coach/QB pairing that doesn’t pan out. I want to be wrong, but we’ve got to keep expectations in check.
🧩 Key Additions:
🔹 Joe Thuney, G
🔹 Jonah Jackson, G
🔹 Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE
🔹 Grady Jarrett, DL
🔹 Ben Johnson, HC
❌ Key Departures:
🔸 Keenan Allen, WR
🔸 DeMarcus Walker, DL
🔸 Jack Sanborn, LB
🚀 Underrated Teams
🟥 Arizona Cardinals
I love what the Cardinals have done this offseason.
Adding Marvin Harrison Jr. gives Kyler Murray a legit WR1. Trey McBride is emerging. The defense has quietly improved. If things click, Arizona could sneak up and steal the NFC West.
🧩 Key Additions:
🔹 Josh Sweat, EDGE
🔹 Calais Campbell, DL
🔹 Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB
❌ Key Departures:
🔸 Will Hernandez, G
🔸 Kyzir White, LB
🔸 Matt Prater, K
⚫ Atlanta Falcons
The NFC South is wide open, and Atlanta is ready to make a move.
It looks like Michael Penix Jr. will be taking the reins. From the small sample size we saw last year, he can absolutely sling the football. Add that to Bijan Robinson and Drake London, and you’ve got serious firepower.
And let’s not forget: the defense added veteran help.
🧩 Key Additions:
🔹 Leonard Floyd, EDGE
🔹 Jordan Fuller, S
🔹 Morgan Cox, DL
❌ Key Departures:
🔸 Matt Judon, EDGE
🔸 Justin Simmons, S
🔸 Richie Grant, S
🟧 Denver Broncos
Why aren’t more people talking about Denver?
Sure, Bo Nix might hit a sophomore slump, but Sean Payton is a master at maximizing QBs. The roster is sneaky solid, especially on defense. If Nix holds steady, this team could quietly make a playoff push.
🧩 Key Additions:
🔹 Evan Engram, TE
🔹 Dre Greenlaw, LB
🔹 Talanoa Hufanga, S
❌ Key Departures:
🔸 Javonte Williams, RB
🔸 Cody Barton, LB
🔸 Zach Cunningham, LB
🧠 Final Thoughts
This season is shaping up to be full of twists, turns, and surprises, both good and bad. With so much parity in the NFL right now, don’t be shocked if the preseason darlings fall flat and the forgotten squads make a serious run.
Let’s enjoy the chaos.
