25 bold predictions for the 2025 NFL season

The wait is finally over. Football is back.

Let's celebrate this joyous occasion with some bold predictions for the season ahead. The theme here is unlikely but not entirely outlandish. Consider them educated guesses at some potentially surprising results.

Patrick Mahomes throws 50 TDs: The Chiefs want to get the passing game back to where it was in the early stages of the Mahomes era. Those efforts have fallen short over the last two years, but this season could be different. A speedy receiving corps and a potential star rookie at left tackle should help Mahomes rediscover that downfield magic. At that point, there might be no stopping this offense.

Love finishes top two in MVP voting: I can't pick Love to win MVP if I have Mahomes throwing 50 touchdowns, but a runner-up finish still feels bold enough, considering the competition. The third-year starter has monster breakout potential, with the Packers having bolstered the receiver room by drafting a first-round wideout for the first time since 2002.

Saquon runs for 2K again: Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in 2024. This year, he becomes the first to do it twice. It might seem like an impossible feat, but this is the same situation he was in last season. The Eagles' offense is a running back dreamland, and there should be plenty of positive game scripts to get him the necessary volume. He has a chance to match last year's historic output as long as he stays healthy.

Cowboys have NFL's worst defense: The Cowboys were the NFL's No. 1 defense in EPA/play in snaps with Parsons on the field over the last four years, according to TruMedia. Without him, they were the worst. It's difficult to understand the logic in trading away that kind of a player a week before the season kicks off. Whether it's measured by EPA, yards, scoring, or the good old eye test, this unit may be in a class of its own this year.

CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens combine for 3K: A hapless defense means the Cowboys could find themselves in shootouts more often than not. And with the team having an underwhelming backfield, the passing-game trio of Lamb, Pickens, and Dak Prescott should do most of the heavy lifting. The unique opportunity, along with the game-breaking talent, puts Lamb and Pickens in position to become only the fifth WR tandem to top 3,000 yards in a single season.

The Bengals' offense is even better, and it doesn't matter: Speaking of elite receiver tandems (and putrid defenses), the Bengals might have the best one there is. With Joe Burrow throwing to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown starting the season as the feature back, this offense may only improve upon last year's sixth-ranked finish in EPA/play. But even that won't be enough for a playoff run if the defense is as bad as it was in 2024. We have no reason to believe it won't be.

Micah Parsons posts 20 sacks: Back to Parsons for a second. This trade feels oddly reminiscent of the 2018 Khalil Mack deal. The potential payoff is greater, though, as we're talking about an even better player joining a much more complete team. The Packers are going to be defending a lot of leads this season, putting the NFL's most explosive pass-rusher in position to pin his ears back and pile up the best numbers of his career. Parsons immediately winning a Defensive Player of the Year award with his new team is the perfect way to tie a bow on this embarrassing Cowboys saga.

Aidan Hutchinson gets 20, too: Hutchinson was in the middle of a truly ridiculous season before going down with a broken leg last October. His league-leading 7.5 sacks at that point were only a small part of the story, as he'd also posted 45 pressures through five games. The closest pass-rushers had 29 over that span. Now healthy, Hutchinson could pick up right where he left off.

Abdul Carter breaks rookie sack record: A brief look at Carter during the preseason was all we needed to confirm the Giants got a special player at No. 3 overall. His explosiveness off the edge will be a problem from Day 1, and a stacked Giants defensive front ensures that opposing offenses can't focus their blocking schemes exclusively on him. Jevon Kearse's rookie sack record (14.5) is in play.

Broncos are last undefeated team: This one is admittedly a bit of a home run swing. Matchups with the Chargers, Bengals, and Eagles are potential roadblocks to the Broncos avoiding any losses over the first two months of the season. But the first two are absolutely winnable, and this team could also give the defending champs trouble. The rest of Denver's first-half schedule is a bit of a cakewalk.

Bills lose Week 1, win next 10: Buffalo is the more obvious candidate to be the last undefeated team, but a Sunday night opener against the Ravens is a tough way to start the year. I have the Bills coming up short in Week 1 and then taking full advantage of the soft schedule that follows. They don't see another 2024 playoff team until Kansas City in Week 9. And while the Bills still haven't been able to solve the Chiefs in January, they've had no such problems in their last four regular-season matchups.

Bears trade for Breece Hall: Chicago's offense is primed to take a big step forward after an exciting offseason, but the running back room still stands out as a potential issue. Is Ben Johnson really going to roll with D'Andre Swift as his feature back? The Bears could turn to the trade market if the run game holds them back early in the season. The buzz surrounding the impending emergence of Braelon Allen may theoretically allow the Jets to shop Breece Hall in the middle of his contract year.

Cardinals trade for Tyreek Hill: The Cardinals could be a sneaky playoff contender in the NFC. It'd be nice if they had some vertical speed opposite Marvin Harrison Jr. at receiver though. Hill may be available at the trade deadline if the Dolphins aren't in a position to compete for the postseason.

Calvin Ridley leads NFL in catches: The Titans finally have a quarterback. It could be another year before they see any meaningful improvement in the win column, but Cam Ward's arrival should immediately open things up for this passing game. And with Ridley headlining an otherwise underwhelming group of pass-catchers, he might get all the targets he can handle.

Davante Adams leads NFL in TDs: Adams isn't your average 32-year-old receiver. While Puka Nacua is technically Matthew Stafford's No. 1 target, the veteran free-agent addition figures to provide a much-needed upgrade in the red zone. Adams' ability to win one-on-one matchups can make him the go-to option for an offense that could be there often.

Jets run the ball 600 times: Last year's Eagles became the first team since 2009 to top 600 rushing attempts in a season. The Jets won't be chewing the clock late in games nearly as often as the Super Bowl champs, but the commitment to the ground game should be similarly unwavering. This team is going to pride itself on playing good defense and running the damn ball. A suddenly strong offensive line at least gives it a chance to do so successfully.

Saints go winless until December: A new coaching staff provides a fresh start, and it'll be interesting to watch these young quarterbacks when they get their chances. But wins are going to be tough to come by this year. A Week 5 meeting with the Giants is about as easy as it gets until the schedule opens up in the last month of the season.

Nick Chubb bounces back with 12 TDs: Chubb being drafted as the RB44 this year, according to FantasyPros, tells me nobody is expecting him to return to form after his brutal 2023 knee injury. I understand the hesitation, but Chubb's experience and instincts could easily compensate for any athleticism he might've lost. He seems like the clear No. 1 back with Joe Mixon out indefinitely, and this new-look Texans offense may be scoring quite a bit.

Christian McCaffrey posts 2K yards from scrimmage: Sticking with fantasy football narratives, this year is the latest McCaffrey was available in drafts since 2018. People were clearly scared off by last season's injuries. That may prove to be a mistake. It seems like he's be back to 100% now, putting him in position to reassume his role as the centerpiece of one of the league's best offenses. McCaffrey is the unquestioned workhorse runner, and his already-significant role in the passing game could grow even further on account of the 49ers' question marks at receiver.

Texans own No. 1 defense: Houston's defense quietly finished the 2024 campaign tied for fourth in EPA/play. Another year in DeMeco Ryans' system, along with an improved offense allowing this group to do what it does best, may well continue the ascent right to the top of the league. Even the best passing attacks are going to struggle against a defense with this combination of rush talent and playmakers in the secondary.

Matthew Golden leads all rookie receivers: Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan, and Emeka Egbuka all have a path to immediate production, but Golden's Year 1 ceiling could be the highest of the bunch. His deep speed and route-running skills are a perfect fit for Jordan Love's ability and eagerness to push the ball downfield. Golden could be a big-play machine from Day 1.

Ollie Gordon scores 10 TDs: It's generally not a good idea to expect much from sixth-round rookies, but Gordon is a unique case. He probably wouldn't have been selected that late if his final year at Oklahoma State was more like the one prior, and he looked more like that version of himself this preseason. Crucially, Gordon's physicality makes him the most logical solution to Miami's short-yardage woes. He could be subbing in for De'Von Achane whenever the Dolphins are at the goal line.

TreVeyon Henderson sets rookie RB record: Henderson is a superstar in the making. He flashed game-changing ability in the preseason, and it likely won't be long before the Patriots feature him as the centerpiece of this new offense. A good chunk of that early production could come in the passing game. Considering the lack of top weapons in the receiving corps, as well as Josh McDaniels' history of using pass-catching backs, we shouldn't be surprised if Henderson chases Saquon Barkley's rookie RB record of 91 catches.

Travis Hunter finishes top three in both rookie awards: The Jaguars figure to use Hunter primarily as a receiver this season, and he could put up big numbers as a featured target alongside Brian Thomas Jr. But he'll play plenty of corner too. Even if he's limited to sub packages, his ability to create turnovers could easily produce the game-changing plays that also put him in the upper echelon of first-year defenders. He doesn't necessarily need to win either award to make this one of the most impressive rookie seasons we've ever seen.

Packers win Super Bowl LX: It's easy to get carried away with expectations after a big signing or trade, but it's absolutely warranted in this case. Micah Parsons really could be the final piece for the Packers. He almost single-handedly elevated an otherwise subpar defense during his four years with the Cowboys. In making the move to Green Bay, he now rounds out a unit that finished the 2024 campaign tied for fourth in EPA/play. The offense could be every bit as good if Jordan Love takes the step forward many expect. This team has everything it needs to win it all this year.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.