{"id":108537,"date":"2025-08-31T10:54:45","date_gmt":"2025-08-31T10:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/108537\/"},"modified":"2025-08-31T10:54:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-31T10:54:45","slug":"2025-nfl-projections-power-rankings-super-bowl-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/108537\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 NFL projections, power rankings, Super Bowl predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637682_746_clay_mike.png&#038;h=80&#038;w=80&#038;scale=crop.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mike ClayAug 31, 2025, 08:35 PM<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"icon-font-after icon-close-solid-after\" href=\"#\">Close<\/a>Mike Clay is a senior writer for fantasy football and the NFL at ESPN. Mike is a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame. His projections power the ESPN Fantasy Football game, and he also appears on &#8220;Fantasy Football Now&#8221; and the Fantasy Focus Football podcast.<\/p>\n<p>Week 1 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/standings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2025 NFL season<\/a> is around the corner. What better way to raise (or temper) expectations than with a complete breakdown of predictions and projections?<\/p>\n<p>Below is a guide of what to expect once the season kicks off Thursday &#8212; including power rankings of all 32 teams, a list of teams that will score the most points and defenses that will allow the fewest, and a look at the toughest and easiest schedules. We also make predictions for the playoffs and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772988\/tbd-tbd\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl LX<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking for even more in-depth content, check my rankings and assessments of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45908900\/2025-nfl-season-positional-group-best-worst-quarterbacks-cornerbacks-receivers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best and worst positional units<\/a> across the league, as well as my <a href=\"https:\/\/g.espncdn.com\/s\/ffldraftkit\/25\/NFLDK2025_CS_ClayProjections2025.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">80-page projections PDF<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">Jump ahead to &#8230;<br \/>Schedule: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#easiest\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Easiest<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#toughest\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Toughest<\/a><br \/>Offense projections: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#bestoffense\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#worstoffense\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Worst<\/a><br \/>Defense projections: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#bestdefense\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#worstdefense\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Worst<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#powerranks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Power rankings<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46095037\/2025-nfl-season-predictions-power-rankings-super-bowl-pick#superbowl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl pick<\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/_end_rule.png\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Easiest schedule<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_344_sf.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The 49ers are coming off a last-place finish in the NFC West, but that set them up with the league&#8217;s easiest projected 2025 schedule. They do not play any of the league&#8217;s eight Super Bowl favorites, per ESPN Bet odds (Ravens, Lions, Eagles, Bills, Chiefs, Packers, Bengals, Commanders), and have many attractive matchups against underwhelming NFC South and AFC South teams.<\/p>\n<p>San Francisco&#8217;s unique games are versus the Bears, Giants and Browns &#8212; the latter two are projected to finish in the bottom seven of the league, per ESPN&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/fpi\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Football Power Index<\/a>. The Titans, Colts, Jaguars and Cardinals round out the top-five easiest schedules.<\/p>\n<p>Editor&#8217;s Picks<\/p>\n<p>2 Related<\/p>\n<p>Toughest schedule<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_679_det.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>No surprise here, as the Lions are the defending champions of the tough NFC North. In addition to the six games against the Vikings, Packers and the improved Bears, the Lions will face NFC East and AFC North teams. Detroit&#8217;s trio of unique games is also about as hard as you can get: Buccaneers, Chiefs and Rams.<\/p>\n<p>The good news for Detroit is that the rest of the division (and several No. 1-seed contenders) will also face a tough slate. The Eagles, Vikings, Giants and Browns round out the top-five toughest schedules.<\/p>\n<p>Projected highest-scoring teams<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_679_buf.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Bills haven&#8217;t led the NFL in scoring since 1990, but they&#8217;ve been close during the <a data-player-guid=\"237b9f2a-4701-8fc3-60eb-250978af9893\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3918298\/josh-allen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Allen<\/a> era, ranking no lower than sixth each of the past five seasons (top-three four times). This season, the reigning NFL MVP is set up with a solid (and perhaps improved) supporting cast, led by RB <a data-player-guid=\"cdce4094-c5b8-d8ee-8849-810e285a6323\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4379399\/james-cook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Cook<\/a>, WR <a data-player-guid=\"5a44a894-8c06-ad6f-6e7a-eacb100671bb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4373678\/khalil-shakir\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Khalil Shakir<\/a>, second-year WR <a data-player-guid=\"55041575-ba08-38c9-9261-b55db2c39071\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4635008\/keon-coleman\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Keon Coleman<\/a>, TE <a data-player-guid=\"d4652b30-6ba5-b261-e946-eb83b36a9b88\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4385690\/dalton-kincaid\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dalton Kincaid<\/a> and newcomer WR <a data-player-guid=\"9cca6401-3c43-0d5f-a97e-cbb699771196\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4242433\/joshua-palmer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joshua Palmer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>2. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"38248455-3da4-84e4-8090-98b5cc38ffdc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/bal\/baltimore-ravens\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Baltimore Ravens<\/a>, 473 points<br \/>3. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"d1a9b001-1df7-fbd7-ae4c-6ca7065286ec\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/phi\/philadelphia-eagles\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>, 452 points<\/p>\n<p>Projected lowest-scoring teams<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_434_cle.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Browns were last in scoring in 2024 and haven&#8217;t finished better than 10th since 2007. They should be a strong bet to finish at or near the bottom in 2025, especially with so much uncertainty at quarterback (some mix of <a data-player-guid=\"cfd567df-191e-29cf-0dc6-0bcf84085135\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/11252\/joe-flacco\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Flacco<\/a>, third-round pick <a data-player-guid=\"2126efde-bc9b-0168-dd5a-49fe11331807\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4427238\/dillon-gabriel\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dillon Gabriel<\/a> and fifth-round pick <a data-player-guid=\"fecbc03c-f8bf-342e-82be-991901cf6449\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4432762\/shedeur-sanders\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Shedeur Sanders<\/a>). Additionally, the once-elite offensive line isn&#8217;t as good as years past, and there are no established needle-moving pass catchers behind WR <a data-player-guid=\"a6f54531-6f5b-5d5d-2026-28a308e5cb59\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4241463\/jerry-jeudy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jerry Jeudy<\/a> and TE <a data-player-guid=\"792d89f8-09a7-3009-63cc-09f2df5f947d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3123076\/david-njoku\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">David Njoku<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>2. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"97d2f6c9-2f22-459c-306a-046941ccab2a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/no\/new-orleans-saints\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New Orleans Saints<\/a>, 314 points<br \/>3. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"378600ea-2397-8364-8399-b7c1606a49a7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/nyg\/new-york-giants\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York Giants<\/a>, 332 points<\/p>\n<p>Projected defenses to allow the fewest points<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_890_hou.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Though the Texans ranked in the middle of the pack in points allowed last season, their defense finished top five in sacks (49) and forced turnovers (29). They were also first in pass rush win rate (48.7%). Thirteen of the unit&#8217;s top 14 players who got the most snaps return this season, including standout edge rushers <a data-player-guid=\"258aad67-a3d9-14d7-ae74-1eafcb1069dc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2976560\/danielle-hunter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Danielle Hunter<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"d08ac2e7-518c-3ca3-b3b8-9262906e6a27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4685724\/will-anderson-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Will Anderson Jr<\/a>., cornerbacks <a data-player-guid=\"20a10a50-95ee-3243-52da-67eeb2286eb2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426434\/derek-stingley-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Derek Stingley Jr<\/a>. and <a data-player-guid=\"67e6616b-c75f-3103-8d03-dd4b24b55824\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4602699\/kamari-lassiter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kamari Lassiter<\/a>, safety <a data-player-guid=\"29f072f3-b213-84a4-cb4e-e8d85bb8f40b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4241223\/jalen-pitre\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Pitre<\/a> and linebacker <a data-player-guid=\"3ce75e87-2c6d-5a79-e349-2caa21b3cb07\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3919117\/azeez-al-shaair\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Azeez Al-Shaair<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>2. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"51042145-e3c1-0694-ae0d-f720342ff8fc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/den\/denver-broncos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denver Broncos<\/a>, 357 points<br \/>3. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"debcd592-8d53-71f1-fc15-5c8b8ef9df6e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/pit\/pittsburgh-steelers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>, 358 points<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>1:13<\/p>\n<p>Why C.J. Stroud &#8216;feels great&#8217; about new O-line<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">C.J. Stroud joins &#8220;First Take&#8221; to discuss how the Texans&#8217; offensive line has improved as a unit to protect him better in the 2025 NFL season.<\/p>\n<p>Projected defenses to allow the most points<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_639_dal.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Cowboys allowed the second-most points last season, and that was with <a data-player-guid=\"19e0d5a6-9c4e-83d1-c9c2-5cfa322727f5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4361423\/micah-parsons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Micah Parsons<\/a> for 13 games. Parsons was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46098144\/sources-micah-parsons-traded-packers-gets-record-contract\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">traded<\/a> to Green Bay on Thursday for defensive tackle <a data-player-guid=\"99fef066-3b7b-f035-c202-879446d10d7c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3122752\/kenny-clark\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kenny Clark<\/a> and two first-round picks. Linebacker <a data-player-guid=\"f27bfa4a-ac7b-be13-722f-a944dc61fa5f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2510863\/eric-kendricks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Eric Kendricks<\/a>, nickel corner <a data-player-guid=\"3b6c4e02-f67e-c84f-d950-46505e92a244\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3045207\/jourdan-lewis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jourdan Lewis<\/a> and edge rusher <a data-player-guid=\"6d360205-4207-123b-ec26-66fec01b2ef3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4036132\/chauncey-golston\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chauncey Golston<\/a> are also gone.<\/p>\n<p>Sprinkle in a few lingering injuries (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/42893482\/jerry-jones-demarvion-overshown-right-knee-surgery\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">including<\/a> top linebacker <a data-player-guid=\"64944dd8-160f-0726-2b9d-4e82e22db36e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4362088\/demarvion-overshown\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DeMarvion Overshown<\/a>), and the Cowboys have the shakiest defense in the league. Facing the Eagles and Commanders twice will only boost their points allowed.<\/p>\n<p>2. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"b18540eb-6f2b-534c-e7f9-9bd930518da9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/lv\/las-vegas-raiders\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Las Vegas Raiders<\/a>, 428 points<br \/>3. <a data-clubhouse-guid=\"647c27bf-ab86-550e-5b83-91c29e73e4a9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/team\/_\/name\/car\/carolina-panthers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carolina Panthers<\/a>, 427 points<\/p>\n<p>Team-by-team rankings<\/p>\n<p>Asterisks indicate my projected playoff teams.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_218_bal.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>This team has it all: an elite coach in John Harbaugh, perhaps the league&#8217;s best QB in two-time MVP <a data-player-guid=\"7d76fbb1-1c5e-d9f4-954f-cad43f720ae2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3916387\/lamar-jackson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lamar Jackson<\/a>, a terrific offensive supporting cast (led by RB <a data-player-guid=\"81c182a5-8981-2272-a00f-f8daf9533e07\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3043078\/derrick-henry\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Derrick Henry<\/a>, WR <a data-player-guid=\"04e6bfd5-ecba-2d02-bcac-087f32564877\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4429615\/zay-flowers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zay Flowers<\/a>, TE <a data-player-guid=\"eb0163cd-c488-df37-0418-93144048fba1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3116365\/mark-andrews\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Andrews<\/a>, OT <a data-player-guid=\"c5df5ed1-f2cf-aa90-d8ec-09b57cc7f711\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2980153\/ronnie-stanley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ronnie Stanley<\/a> and C <a data-player-guid=\"4dc51a6c-8f23-5c8a-2559-96cec58d5a8a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4360499\/tyler-linderbaum\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyler Linderbaum<\/a>) and a terrific defense that returns 10 of its top 11 snap-getters from 2024 (including stars in S <a data-player-guid=\"b528bb83-eea2-8d7f-db71-0fd0d32f8c2f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4575517\/kyle-hamilton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kyle Hamilton<\/a>, CB <a data-player-guid=\"c840224c-32fa-6d92-e3b8-827a24c49703\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3126356\/marlon-humphrey\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marlon Humphrey<\/a>, LB <a data-player-guid=\"4590969e-ef91-bd31-d08f-b62befbac912\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3915189\/roquan-smith\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Roquan Smith<\/a> and DT <a data-player-guid=\"a8afffbe-1ef7-d550-3682-2ab77ba91511\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035245\/nnamdi-madubuike\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nnamdi Madubuike<\/a>). They also strengthened their secondary by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45817046\/jaire-alexander-joining-lamar-jackson-baltimore-easy-call\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">signing<\/a> cornerback <a data-player-guid=\"23d53fbf-b932-d1db-7c5a-a49803a84c17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3895429\/jaire-alexander\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaire Alexander<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_679_buf.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>We already discussed Buffalo&#8217;s stellar offensive outlook, but Sean McDermott&#8217;s defense deserves some love, as well. Led by edge rusher <a data-player-guid=\"384e715e-cab9-29e2-23f5-bbee2c419456\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4362506\/greg-rousseau\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greg Rousseau<\/a>, corner <a data-player-guid=\"540fc1a9-bf7d-f24d-ae8a-dcbd8d365dcd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4379778\/christian-benford\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Christian Benford<\/a>, defensive tackle <a data-player-guid=\"0a4a252b-ac67-b6de-319b-7f7b39b25345\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4039303\/ed-oliver\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ed Oliver<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44402852\/buffalo-bills-add-joey-bosa-larry-ogunjobi-defensive-line-questions-remain-2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">new edge rusher<\/a> <a data-player-guid=\"591c8883-7eb1-633e-5283-7bfbb9dbf51e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3051389\/joey-bosa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joey Bosa<\/a>, this should be a solid unit. The Bills are equipped for another run at a title.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_679_det.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Injuries decimated the Lions&#8217; defense in 2024, which led to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401671885\/commanders-lions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">quick playoff exit<\/a> after a dominant 15-2 regular season. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45946801\/detroit-lions-2025-season-preseasonplayers-outlook-new-coordinators\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">departures of coordinators<\/a> Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, as well as new players on the interior offensive line, create notable uncertainties. But Detroit&#8217;s roster is still stacked with talent. I expect the Lions to contend for the top NFC seed again despite projecting them to have the toughest schedule.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_62_phi.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The reigning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401671889\/chiefs-eagles\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl champions<\/a> took a hit on defense during the offseason, losing edge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/13239\/brandon-graham\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brandon Graham<\/a>, cornerback <a data-player-guid=\"c140911d-2389-b320-d8ee-845096659546\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/15863\/darius-slay\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Darius Slay<\/a>, edge <a data-player-guid=\"46b307c5-8de4-5c72-0afd-297fdbe85737\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3693166\/josh-sweat\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Sweat<\/a>, defensive tackle <a data-player-guid=\"b723c7a2-93cd-295c-ea06-cbf0b55d61e0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4239699\/milton-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Milton Williams<\/a> and safety <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4034953\/cj-gardner-johnson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">C.J. Gardner-Johnson<\/a>. But at its worst, this team is solid on paper because of its elite offense with RB <a data-player-guid=\"94486c18-dd3e-6081-a3fe-4a26b71ddcdc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3929630\/saquon-barkley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Saquon Barkley<\/a>, QB <a data-player-guid=\"caceb80c-6350-a107-9fcf-7c7bd1b4edd8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4040715\/jalen-hurts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Hurts<\/a> and WR <a data-player-guid=\"53cf1afe-22f9-ea1f-7d9b-a992d25c8ac5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4047646\/aj-brown\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A.J. Brown<\/a>. The Eagles have a legitimate shot to repeat.<\/p>\n<p>All of ESPN. All in one place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/plus.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"imageLoaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/r1531432_1296x729_16-9.jpg\" width=\"100%\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/plus.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sign Up Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_861_kc.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the Chiefs are headed for some regression after they had so many close wins last season but suffered a shellacking against the Eagles for the title. But it&#8217;s hard to doubt a franchise that has reached five of the past six Super Bowls, including three in a row. Quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"37d87523-280a-9d4a-0adb-22cfc6d3619c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3139477\/patrick-mahomes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a> appears to have more offensive support this season, even with wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"48cfbe28-2b59-e0df-3ce3-2e981cd56c7e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4428331\/rashee-rice\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rashee Rice<\/a> being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46087680\/sources-nfl-wants-rashee-rice-suspension-least-6-games\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">suspended<\/a> for the first six games. Their strong defense also returns 13 of its top 15 snap-getters from 2024.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_275_tb.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Tampa Bay has found its franchise quarterback in <a data-player-guid=\"5bb4376a-d089-e3e4-e49a-44f1d709a012\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3052587\/baker-mayfield\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Baker Mayfield<\/a> and he&#8217;ll have one of the league&#8217;s top supporting casts, which now includes first-round wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"48fb595b-ecda-3de2-9c05-fcc8090c4b84\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4567750\/emeka-egbuka\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Emeka Egbuka<\/a>. The defense still has concerns at certain positions, but the unit can be good enough to give the Bucs a shot at their fifth consecutive division title and sixth straight trip to the postseason.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_980_den.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sean Payton turned Denver into a playoff team last season, and he&#8217;ll have an even better squad on paper this season. A defense led by cornerback <a data-player-guid=\"1e86c395-b340-8084-cacb-61d1eb0fa424\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4372012\/pat-surtain-ii\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pat Surtain II<\/a>, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and defensive tackle <a data-player-guid=\"be61e311-bf3b-9128-5dc2-b791c5e15e47\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3915282\/zach-allen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zach Allen<\/a> is outstanding, and it added more playmakers in two former 49ers (LB <a data-player-guid=\"22bed4b5-a5ad-ccac-e96e-4ba5bd7d1173\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3916903\/dre-greenlaw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dre Greenlaw<\/a> and S <a data-player-guid=\"379f2aa6-c5f8-b840-c0e3-e7f8ef5a8d2b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4360853\/talanoa-hufanga\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Talanoa Hufanga<\/a>). Second-year QB <a data-player-guid=\"f9de7512-a950-3317-816b-abe094068409\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426338\/bo-nix\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bo Nix<\/a> will benefit from a terrific offensive line and skill-position upgrades like tight end <a data-player-guid=\"9e0efe52-174f-d361-6d08-4886592d9038\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3051876\/evan-engram\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Evan Engram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_534_lar.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"20c41c33-a33f-6dc2-7e1f-0771e39ce49a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/12483\/matthew-stafford\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Matthew Stafford<\/a>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45980515\/matthew-stafford-work-rams-saturday\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">back injury<\/a> could derail things, but the Rams have constructed one of their best rosters in several years. They struck gold with edge rusher <a data-player-guid=\"766e5e7b-7a10-7546-f027-91f35983a982\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4578085\/jared-verse\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jared Verse<\/a>, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and we know they&#8217;re well-coached under Sean McVay. On offense, they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44183784\/rams-sign-former-all-pro-wr-davante-adams-two-year-deal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">replaced<\/a> wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"7884c02e-8370-0452-1d6b-a9979a1a214b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2977187\/cooper-kupp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cooper Kupp<\/a> with <a data-player-guid=\"d287bc03-47c2-c7f6-6160-e4280c80d2e2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/16800\/davante-adams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Davante Adams<\/a>, who tied for 15th in <a href=\"https:\/\/espnanalytics.com\/receivers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ESPN&#8217;s open receiver score<\/a> last season.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_733_min.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Vikings remain elite in a lot of areas, including offensive line, pass catchers (led by WR <a data-player-guid=\"c7fb1996-2530-7f98-9f2f-572debf989f4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4262921\/justin-jefferson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Jefferson<\/a>) and defense (a unit that includes defensive tackles <a data-player-guid=\"2ae24478-555a-120e-32f7-8408a43a24d6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3054840\/jonathan-allen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Allen<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"b3b4a21e-8a12-8875-aab4-3c5080dbc5d4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2983055\/javon-hargrave\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Javon Hargrave<\/a>). The big question, of course, is how well quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"460fbf74-c64d-3862-b942-852d104e94dd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4433970\/jj-mccarthy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">J.J. McCarthy<\/a> plays after the 2024 first-round pick missed his rookie season because of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/42371436\/source-vikings-qb-jj-mccarthy-undergoes-2nd-knee-surgery\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">knee injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_342_gb.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Packers are solid on both sides of the ball, and the offense could be even better with improved targets, including first-round receiver <a data-player-guid=\"c5e38ead-375e-3df1-8989-1d7b334915a7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4701936\/matthew-golden\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Matthew Golden<\/a>, and a fully healthy QB in <a data-player-guid=\"f19ea9a5-ca4d-79b9-3e49-543e438cd336\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4036378\/jordan-love\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jordan Love<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46098144\/sources-micah-parsons-traded-packers-gets-record-contract\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">blockbuster trade<\/a> for edge rusher <a data-player-guid=\"19e0d5a6-9c4e-83d1-c9c2-5cfa322727f5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4361423\/micah-parsons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Micah Parsons<\/a> revamps their defensive line and could be enough to cement Green Bay as a playoff contender.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_26_wsh.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Second-year quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"f03f3238-b035-6f0e-5844-1529ca021c3a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426348\/jayden-daniels\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jayden Daniels<\/a> appears to be the real deal and can carry this team far, especially with more veterans on offense, such as left tackle <a data-player-guid=\"0634573a-c005-bef4-552c-bc7dfd85b082\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3051890\/laremy-tunsil\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Laremy Tunsil<\/a> and wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"7f300cb7-f0a1-a43a-d0b0-f8a57bf04eb3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3126486\/deebo-samuel\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Deebo Samuel<\/a>. The defense remains a major red flag, but defensive mastermind Dan Quinn could again coach it into a competent unit.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_198_cin.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Bengals have missed the playoffs in back-to-back years despite winning nine-plus games in four consecutive seasons. It&#8217;s hard to imagine a team that has quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"e6957db5-5b2e-a82d-c788-d889115d9772\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3915511\/joe-burrow\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Burrow<\/a> and wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"f9be91fa-7d8d-811b-6452-b14d1a1feb2c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4362628\/jamarr-chase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ja&#8217;Marr Chase<\/a> (both in the top 10 of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46043463\/nfl-rank-2025-ranking-top-100-players-predictions-stats\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">top 100 players<\/a>) missing the postseason again, but giant questions loom along the offensive line and defense.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_153_chi.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Bears are one of the league&#8217;s most fascinating teams. New coach\/offensive mastermind Ben Johnson will look to get the most out of second-year quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"dd15176c-3004-333f-beaa-149216c42968\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4431611\/caleb-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Caleb Williams<\/a>, who will have the benefit of a terrific young group of pass catchers and a much-improved offensive line. The defense is, at worst, solid and helps give Chicago a legit shot at the postseason.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>2:00<\/p>\n<p>Why Mina Kimes expects a big turnaround from Caleb Williams<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Mina Kimes and Chris Canty discuss whether they expect a bigger turnaround from Caleb Williams or Bryce Young this NFL season.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_691_lac.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Losing elite left tackle <a data-player-guid=\"3ee99e70-0895-225c-d16b-feaaeddc3a0f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4242283\/rashawn-slater\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rashawn Slater<\/a> for the season is brutal, and the Chargers&#8217; defense certainly has several concerning areas &#8212; the unit ranked in the bottom 10 at linebacker and cornerback in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45908900\/2025-nfl-season-positional-group-best-worst-quarterbacks-cornerbacks-receivers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">positional group rankings<\/a>. Still, the <a data-player-guid=\"ec880cbc-1490-cdae-548f-f844104974ae\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4038941\/justin-herbert\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Herbert<\/a>-led offense looks good, and Jim Harbaugh&#8217;s record speaks for itself (55-25-1 in five seasons as an NFL head coach).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_295_pit.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A <a data-player-guid=\"fa239d3e-e2c0-2e06-6856-2a52abea3f2c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3045282\/tj-watt\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">T.J. Watt<\/a>-led defense that added cornerback <a data-player-guid=\"a5623fce-1fb1-d273-2b6e-61ac583303c3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3045373\/jalen-ramsey\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalen Ramsey<\/a> this offseason is perhaps the league&#8217;s best on paper, but the big question is how much the team will get out of 41-year-old quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"5fbab03e-2816-55ab-ae10-83b132803d9e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/8439\/aaron-rodgers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Aaron Rodgers<\/a>. Rodgers couldn&#8217;t move the needle for a talented Jets roster last season, and this offensive supporting cast is below average. Mike Tomlin&#8217;s leadership should keep this team in the wild-card mix, though.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_692_ne.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>AFC sleeper alert! The Patriots are much better in nearly all areas compared with last season. After finishing with the fewest sacks in the NFL last season (28), the defense improved by signing DT <a data-player-guid=\"b723c7a2-93cd-295c-ea06-cbf0b55d61e0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4239699\/milton-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Milton Williams<\/a>, edge <a data-player-guid=\"b1065a6e-ee40-a2f6-faf1-65eaf396ddf7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3122793\/harold-landry\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Harold Landry III<\/a>, LB <a data-player-guid=\"43a7cb2e-55d4-7888-23a0-105966f4d326\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3129446\/robert-spillane\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Robert Spillane<\/a> and CB <a data-player-guid=\"96c9630b-edc2-9b22-c7f3-0b5487d35ac1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3916923\/carlton-davis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carlton Davis III<\/a>. Second-year QB <a data-player-guid=\"2fbd2f9e-624d-3e63-9bb5-9bb965782b68\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4431452\/drake-maye\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Drake Maye<\/a> will have wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"d6ba7023-458c-f59a-4af2-638770067518\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2976212\/stefon-diggs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stefon Diggs<\/a> and rookie running back <a data-player-guid=\"714eed1f-95d7-3242-83da-3b34074b4424\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4432710\/treveyon-henderson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TreVeyon Henderson<\/a> as options. And Mike Vrabel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/43300017\/patriots-fire-jerod-mayo-finishing-4-13-lone-season\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">replaced<\/a> Jerod Mayo as head coach.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_890_hou.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Houston remains the favorite in the AFC South, with an aforementioned terrific defense and a solid offense. There are some lingering offensive line concerns, as the unit could have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45869283\/houston-texans-offense-ups-downs-cj-stroud-nico-collins-joe-mixon\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">four new starters<\/a> this season, but third-year QB <a data-player-guid=\"147e6862-2ac0-3a97-8f36-e3b1c0147320\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4432577\/cj-stroud\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">C.J. Stroud<\/a> and standout wideout <a data-player-guid=\"338aa0be-bd63-1a24-1929-796af121cefb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4258173\/nico-collins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nico Collins<\/a> give this team a higher floor.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_459_ari.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>NFC sleeper alert! Jonathan Gannon&#8217;s defense is much improved after investing heavily up front. The Cardinals signed edge <a data-player-guid=\"46b307c5-8de4-5c72-0afd-297fdbe85737\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3693166\/josh-sweat\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Sweat<\/a>, along with defensive tackles <a data-player-guid=\"554e0b9e-fc77-cd9c-d9d8-e29ff23919b0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2979860\/dalvin-tomlinson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dalvin Tomlinson<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"91ff5c77-5177-02bd-cc67-d131f591941b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/11284\/calais-campbell\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Calais Campbell<\/a> in free agency. And in the draft, they took defensive tackle <a data-player-guid=\"35a230ec-6654-3950-be41-643098f81fd1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4685503\/walter-nolen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Walter Nolen III<\/a> in the first round, though he will start the season on the reserve\/PUP list because of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45806557\/cardinals-1st-rounder-walter-nolen-iii-sidelined-calf-injury\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">calf issue<\/a>. The <a data-player-guid=\"9bef707d-d33f-266b-3020-81900d735915\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3917315\/kyler-murray\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kyler Murray<\/a>-led offense could also be better if wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"7a24e799-fc0e-395e-b740-4ecee71a3c53\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4432708\/marvin-harrison-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marvin Harrison Jr<\/a>. makes a Year 2 leap.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_344_sf.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As usual, Kyle Shanahan&#8217;s offense figures to be very good, but injuries at wide receiver are already piling up &#8212; the 49ers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46090429\/49ers-trade-wr-jauan-jennings-gm-john-lynch-says\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">aren&#8217;t sure<\/a> if <a data-player-guid=\"3abf6eac-14c3-1c87-1bbf-346234d9af21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3886598\/jauan-jennings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jauan Jennings<\/a> will be available for Week 1. The big red flag here is a defense that had many notable departures, leaving the 49ers with big concerns at defensive tackle, corner and safety. Edge rusher <a data-player-guid=\"6a5ec871-ae65-1fde-4664-f513284ad1ba\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4040605\/nick-bosa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nick Bosa<\/a> and new coordinator Robert Saleh will have their work cut out for them.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_797_ind.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Quarterback aside, the Colts arguably have a top-10 roster. The defense looks pretty good (cornerback <a data-player-guid=\"f7a5bacd-6839-3572-debe-1296fc7aeb1c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4037361\/charvarius-ward\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Charvarius Ward<\/a> and safety <a data-player-guid=\"ce31187e-2a38-cfcd-f93d-ba91af1638f1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035861\/cam-bynum\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cam Bynum<\/a> were much-needed upgrades in the secondary), and the offense includes several difference-makers (RB <a data-player-guid=\"ddd8786c-fd5a-4e55-ccc8-6ddf6f1ede33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4242335\/jonathan-taylor\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Taylor<\/a>, WR <a data-player-guid=\"f9ac7a55-5934-2bf7-e70a-9c1d04cac2eb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035687\/michael-pittman-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Pittman Jr<\/a>., G <a data-player-guid=\"5440a19a-279d-152d-7563-78259559e503\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3129308\/quenton-nelson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quenton Nelson<\/a>, OT <a data-player-guid=\"f4e18fdd-0655-aa84-42f7-14598d60e3e4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3121595\/braden-smith\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Braden Smith<\/a> and first-round rookie TE <a data-player-guid=\"0f413f35-0856-304f-8a14-953ee7532190\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4431459\/tyler-warren\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyler Warren<\/a>). If <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46015804\/sources-colts-name-daniel-jones-starting-qb-anthony-richardson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">new starting QB<\/a> <a data-player-guid=\"5ad1bcc2-57bc-bb72-bcd0-0cdd0d945444\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3917792\/daniel-jones\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Daniel Jones<\/a> can give the team somewhat competent play, the Colts might surprise the league.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_942_sea.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mike McDonald&#8217;s defense looks to have the league&#8217;s best interior line, including <a data-player-guid=\"4ea23eac-ad50-dfe7-6864-0cf74b7cf6b1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2971622\/leonard-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Leonard Williams<\/a>, second-year <a data-player-guid=\"4d80e833-e4f3-3887-b4c6-8ffacef00c8a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4570040\/byron-murphy-ii\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Byron Murphy II<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"f76b9d91-4fd4-23b9-7737-acd1f4c3169a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3115312\/jarran-reed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jarran Reed<\/a>. The offense is more of a wild card, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44194464\/sam-darnold-seahawks-3-year-1005m-deal-sources-say\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">new quarterback<\/a> <a data-player-guid=\"938f19a1-ef9b-618c-2365-d55291e0fcc6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3912547\/sam-darnold\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sam Darnold<\/a> will need to sustain his improved play from 2024. Wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"7884c02e-8370-0452-1d6b-a9979a1a214b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2977187\/cooper-kupp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cooper Kupp<\/a> and running back <a data-player-guid=\"c0a76b7f-7b5d-be73-5e81-258439651478\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4567048\/kenneth-walker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kenneth Walker III<\/a> will need to stay healthy, too.<\/p>\n<p>Breaking News from Adam Schefter<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/contributor\/adam-schefter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/schefter_adam.png\" width=\"40%\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Download the ESPN app and enable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/contributor\/adam-schefter\" target=\"new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Adam Schefter&#8217;s news alerts<\/a> to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/espn\/story\/_\/id\/43511398\/introducing-espn-reporter-breaking-news-alerts-faq-fans\" target=\"new\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_512_mia.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>With <a data-player-guid=\"3858bbe0-6348-e3ef-5d9f-2dd2acb46f44\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4241479\/tua-tagovailoa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> under center, the Dolphins&#8217; offense has a ton of upside, but it also struggled to make the most of receivers <a data-player-guid=\"a3ef592c-a48e-d761-be9c-b81819cfe0ea\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3116406\/tyreek-hill\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyreek Hill<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"db4bf6c9-e27d-8382-372f-120b3da89bd6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4372016\/jaylen-waddle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaylen Waddle<\/a> last season. The offensive line is concerning. The defense is even shakier, especially with all five secondary starters from 2024 gone and little done to replace them. There&#8217;s also uncertainty at edge rusher after <a data-player-guid=\"62014322-3951-79ca-75a8-b393ae96732e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3116733\/bradley-chubb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bradley Chubb<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"ab9c9a20-5a41-25e0-b9d1-51a589d4e5bc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4242975\/jaelan-phillips\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaelan Phillips<\/a> missed most of the past two seasons. This is a career-defining year for coach Mike McDaniel.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637684_682_atl.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Falcons&#8217; defense finished with the second-fewest sacks last season (31), but there&#8217;s potential for a step forward if first-round edge rushers <a data-player-guid=\"046f3cb8-d17d-3fc5-b2b6-82615dadde28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4685597\/jalon-walker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jalon Walker<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"87402464-c2ff-30bc-8742-23aaaf9ba9ba\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/5081394\/james-pearce-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Pearce Jr<\/a>. are the real deal. The offense has a much brighter outlook, but second-year quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"28022fa1-9050-eee1-5160-c77a6a379ec2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4360423\/michael-penix-jr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Penix Jr<\/a>. started only three games last season and threw an interception in each one. He has a good supporting cast, led by WR <a data-player-guid=\"4eb7948a-431b-ee11-32de-2f4044548c60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426502\/drake-london\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Drake London<\/a>, RB <a data-player-guid=\"6667bcb0-dad1-3345-8e5a-a67ed4b010b0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4430807\/bijan-robinson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bijan Robinson<\/a> and a quality line, but Penix will need a Year 2 leap for Atlanta to enter the playoff discussion.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_639_dal.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas&#8217; offseason had more headlines than impact additions. A healthy <a data-player-guid=\"5f09781b-6b0b-7325-049b-a91e60d794e6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2577417\/dak-prescott\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dak Prescott<\/a>\/<a data-player-guid=\"2994891b-8927-33cb-6999-e809560d0545\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4241389\/ceedee-lamb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CeeDee Lamb<\/a> duo will be a big boost in the right direction, but an offensive line already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46066014\/dallas-cowboys-release-lineman-lael-collins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">battling injuries<\/a> isn&#8217;t what it was a few years ago. The defense also has to figure out its identity without Micah Parsons on the edge.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637685_157_nyg.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Giants have clear weak spots, but there&#8217;s potential for them to outperform this ranking. The defense is quietly very good on paper after the additions of cornerback <a data-player-guid=\"cbca26cb-ef4a-4fc2-fc8a-06d88b893e0c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4242547\/paulson-adebo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Paulson Adebo<\/a>, safety <a data-player-guid=\"2cf22ebb-92ff-7bcc-8827-f5bacd2d1994\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4373809\/jevon-holland\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jevon Holland<\/a> and first-round edge rusher <a data-player-guid=\"df4ecbf0-8676-3fbd-8563-25721d12b4ba\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4725996\/abdul-carter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Abdul Carter<\/a> to a group that already included DT <a data-player-guid=\"ac126158-4522-b807-e3bc-bc4256320611\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035483\/dexter-lawrence-ii\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dexter Lawrence II<\/a>, edge <a data-player-guid=\"ce3ca19e-f098-3c39-f922-18cad8eafb5e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035631\/brian-burns\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brian Burns<\/a> and LB <a data-player-guid=\"2c5e7ba5-3477-6e44-1925-2a2b431b7447\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3117253\/bobby-okereke\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bobby Okereke<\/a>. The offense, led by WR <a data-player-guid=\"44a2174b-1d11-3acf-8e75-fe0c13db47a6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4595348\/malik-nabers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Malik Nabers<\/a>, has questions along the line, but competent QB play from <a data-player-guid=\"f0610946-ceb6-9a99-3bcc-cf110b2078b5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/14881\/russell-wilson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Russell Wilson<\/a> or first-round pick <a data-player-guid=\"13e97d3e-2171-371b-9a7a-2c44670b5a62\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4689114\/jaxson-dart\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaxson Dart<\/a> can get this team into the wild-card discussion.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637685_45_nyj.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Jets fumbled away a stacked roster last season, and the outlook doesn&#8217;t appear bright now. A defense that includes DT <a data-player-guid=\"b299da3f-168e-d279-dc79-8d7b0d926def\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4040982\/quinnen-williams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Quinnen Williams<\/a>, edge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4567962\/jermaine-johnson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jermaine Johnson<\/a> and CB <a data-player-guid=\"4a3e8bb3-8d6a-7208-dc0f-7cf148b34c1b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4427250\/sauce-gardner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sauce Gardner<\/a> should be above average, but an offense led by quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"7e9fbd60-951e-2d9a-8d8c-b3f1ab6c4a4d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4362887\/justin-fields\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Justin Fields<\/a> and unproven skill players beyond wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"da106063-995d-eaf0-54e4-ccecd5e90767\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4569618\/garrett-wilson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Garrett Wilson<\/a> figures to be very limited.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637685_322_jax.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Jaguars drafted one of the league&#8217;s most interesting players in <a data-player-guid=\"c39cf8be-f94e-3db4-9c3a-fcc72135a03f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4685415\/travis-hunter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Travis Hunter<\/a>, but the rookie will be hard-pressed to make up for this roster&#8217;s voids at wide receiver and cornerback. Little (no pun intended, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4242554\/walker-little\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Walker Little<\/a>) was done to address perhaps the league&#8217;s shakiest offensive line, which puts added pressure on quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"76111495-d1d9-2333-170d-4206eebe673f\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4360310\/trevor-lawrence\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Trevor Lawrence<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/43551022\/tampa-bay-buccaneers-liam-coen-jacksonville-jaguars-head-coach-happened\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">new coach<\/a> Liam Coen. The defense should be solid, with edge <a data-player-guid=\"b4b45558-b798-eb94-942b-9603e34c6b39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3915239\/josh-hines-allen\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Hines-Allen<\/a>, LB <a data-player-guid=\"a95ee0df-7287-18ed-a5a2-b1ad7f63f8ea\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3050073\/foyesade-oluokun\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Foyesade Oluokun<\/a> and CB <a data-player-guid=\"5235f9a5-e8e2-d876-2ed4-83deb390b1b3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4379397\/tyson-campbell\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyson Campbell<\/a> among the impact players.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637685_8_ten.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Titans are entering a new era with No. 1 overall pick <a data-player-guid=\"9f4e87b5-5da8-38c0-9951-e3496b55b3c8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4688380\/cam-ward\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cam Ward<\/a> at quarterback. Tennessee improved its offensive line, but growing pains are probable and the skill positions are still a work in progress. And besides the great defensive tackle duo of <a data-player-guid=\"3d2c970c-ba26-bcf9-3e98-bd833dd57be6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035369\/jeffery-simmons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jeffery Simmons<\/a> and <a data-player-guid=\"b347c47e-a092-e20d-1c83-89419ea643bf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4428617\/tvondre-sweat\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">T&#8217;Vondre Sweat<\/a>, the defense doesn&#8217;t have much for opponents to fear.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637685_571_car.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Quarterback <a data-player-guid=\"975cc6da-01e5-3dcc-8a1a-1c9ecdb27d58\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4685720\/bryce-young\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bryce Young<\/a> started to show some life late last season and another step forward will be the key to Carolina outproducing this ranking. He&#8217;ll have a better supporting cast after the team selected wide receiver <a data-player-guid=\"5b060a16-d491-3595-b199-6ba05b4d9391\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4685472\/tetairoa-mcmillan\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tetairoa McMillan<\/a> in the first round. But the league&#8217;s worst scoring defense in 2024 could still be shaky &#8212; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/41209956\/panthers-pro-bowl-dl-derrick-brown-knee-year\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">return to health<\/a> for star defensive tackle <a data-player-guid=\"98f03c33-73b9-11c9-326d-44d028b6ff7d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035495\/derrick-brown\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Derrick Brown<\/a> will be a big help.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637685_687_lv.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps Pete Carroll can coach this team out of the basement, but even with the additions of QB <a data-player-guid=\"593e3c58-2b92-e0f1-f4a8-84215e27f023\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/15864\/geno-smith\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Geno Smith<\/a> and RB <a data-player-guid=\"fb81ea34-8566-3bda-9997-f9bf0a4ba991\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4890973\/ashton-jeanty\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ashton Jeanty<\/a> on offense and the presence of edge <a data-player-guid=\"edb9517c-ee97-3c68-ce94-2d1309042d04\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3916655\/maxx-crosby\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maxx Crosby<\/a> on an otherwise shaky defense, this roster has too many weak points. I had them ranked last at wide receiver and 30th overall in my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45908900\/2025-nfl-season-positional-group-best-worst-quarterbacks-cornerbacks-receivers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">positional group rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\" lazyload lazyload\"\/>play<\/p>\n<p>0:47<\/p>\n<p>Dopp: Ashton Jeanty can be an anchor RB for fantasy managers<\/p>\n<p class=\"contentItem__subhead\">Daniel Dopp breaks down why Ashton Jeanty can be an anchor RB for fantasy managers.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_434_cle.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Browns&#8217; defense took a giant step back last season and now looks like a bottom-10 unit on paper (even with edge rusher <a data-player-guid=\"031d8156-6271-ea30-409f-137309621805\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3122132\/myles-garrett\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Myles Garrett<\/a> and cornerback <a data-player-guid=\"95f2a31d-db2e-076e-b5a9-26005a9bdfd6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3915535\/denzel-ward\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denzel Ward<\/a>). The offense is in flux and might not improve until Cleveland takes another flier on a franchise quarterback in the 2026 draft.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637685_690_no.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Derek Carr&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45456062\/derek-carr-right-thing-saints-choose-retirement\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">sudden retirement<\/a> cemented this one, as <a data-player-guid=\"8a3a5113-e81b-582c-e5a2-e097ed7a1813\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4426339\/spencer-rattler\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Spencer Rattler<\/a> and rookie <a data-player-guid=\"0eb2837a-e6ed-bbd7-d7d5-cbeb2cd7ab11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4360689\/tyler-shough\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyler Shough<\/a> will have to step up at quarterback this season. If that&#8217;s not enough, the cornerback group might be shakiest in the NFL, and there are age and\/or injury concerns with RB <a data-player-guid=\"488f79c1-5040-ac01-30bb-aa9c200d3c92\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3054850\/alvin-kamara\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alvin Kamara<\/a>, LB <a data-player-guid=\"87e9c42b-e44f-e088-fce0-cae06ba20349\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/14958\/demario-davis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Demario Davis<\/a>, edge <a data-player-guid=\"cfd6d317-0d17-cb31-2766-cd6062d001e4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/13971\/cameron-jordan\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cameron Jordan<\/a>, WR <a data-player-guid=\"b36899c0-cd91-5c48-6b32-ec65159c9bb3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4361370\/chris-olave\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chris Olave<\/a> and TE <a data-player-guid=\"b4348fe9-fd28-0531-ad90-dbc8d5e0d11e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/2468609\/taysom-hill\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Taysom Hill<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_218_bal.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"floatleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756637683_679_det.png&#038;h=110&#038;w=110.png\" width=\"31\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Super Bowl LX prediction: Ravens over Lions<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s no secret that the Ravens have yet to register a Super Bowl appearance during the Lamar Jackson era (or since 2012), but that could change this season. Baltimore has perhaps its best roster on paper since it defeated the 49ers in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com.au\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/330203025\/ravens-49ers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Super Bowl XLVII<\/a>, sitting at No. 1 in my overall positional group rankings.<\/p>\n<p>The Lions were the best team in the NFL last season before being derailed by a ridiculous stretch of defensive injuries. Now (mostly) healthy, they have a good shot to fend off the defending champion Eagles in the NFC playoffs, reaching their first Super Bowl in franchise history.<\/p>\n<p>Offensive unit grade rankingsRankTeamQBRBWRTEOL1Ravens1097972Eagles81097103Chiefs1076774Bills1048965Bengals679576Buccaneers459897Lions1049628Commanders686679Rams5588910Chargers486441149ers4554712Bears71088613Packers5466314Vikings7783615Cowboys4564316Dolphins4349417Falcons5657518Cardinals8386519Broncos7795720Patriots3966721Colts5437922Titans4839523Texans71048724Panthers51065625Seahawks6784326Raiders3743527Steelers6748528Giants4574228Jaguars4564530Jets6386631Saints2863532Browns24485*Units are graded on a 1-10 scaleDefensive unit grade rankingsRankTeamDTEdgeLBCBS1Steelers8106852Lions578793Broncos858784Giants896655Vikings896475Ravens656987Texans495968Seahawks964769Patriots7668510Jets6588511Colts9647512Packers3964913Bears5478714Eagles6398515Cardinals9534916Bills6668317Chiefs6478318Rams7724619Jaguars4784420Buccaneers5457521Chargers2744822Dolphins5772423Saints3772624Titans9335424Browns5754326Bengals5753426Commanders4310622849ers2774329Falcons4464530Cowboys6335531Panthers6426332Raiders38523*Units are graded on a 1-10 scale<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mike ClayAug 31, 2025, 08:35 PM CloseMike Clay is a senior writer for fantasy football and the NFL&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":108538,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":["post-108537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108537\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}