We’re removing almost two months from the Philadelphia Eagles, lying in a historic Super Bowl LIX victory over the Chiefs in Kansas City. And to keep our distance in 2025, it’s not crazy to call reality champions a favorite. They hold many of the offensive cores that won the title, including the global offensive line that saw the star right tackle lane Johnson expand his contract this offseason.
In two months, the rest of the NFL managed to catch up. With the first big wave of free agency currently in the rearview, a considerable number of clubs have transformed through flashy signatures, deals and coaching shake-ups for the 2025 campaign. I think the Chicago Bears, who reset their entire staff under new head coach Ben Johnson, have spent a lot to strengthen Caleb Williams’ offensive line.
That said, is there a team ready to legally challenge the Eagles? We were hoping that Philadelphia would become the finest candidate coming out of the Super Bowl run, but after the first move in the veteran market, there are five candidates here to challenge the birds throne.
Honorable mention
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Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson is the closest version of the NFL Superman, and Derrick Henry remained a runaway train in 2024. Again, Jackson doesn’t have an eye-opening receiver. Aging Deandre Hopkins is their “big ticket” addition. Secondary has a question. No. 8 has not yet defined January. GreenBayPackers: They made the playoffs in 2024 despite the love of Jordan and essentially the entire host playing wounded all year round. Matt Lafleur is the virtual lock for the group to play soccer in January. Especially at Josh Jacobs’ Bruising Ground Game in Tow. What is the only reason they aren’t in the top five? Their biggest “strengthening” against the Archive of Love is Mecor Hardman. Houston Texans: The 2024 season was a real downer for CJ Stroud, who rushed from a Sterling rookie to a disorganized veteran. They’re not going to trade Christian Kirk for Stefon Diggs and shuffle most of the O-Line to regain many skeptics of the Texans’ attacks. However, Stroud’s calm should drive rebounds, and DeMeco Ryan’s defense could be awkward with CJ Gardner Johnson on the back end. Since that loss, when Mahomes had valuable space to operate, the Chiefs held Trey Smith, but abandoned Joe Sunny’s most skilled interior blocker. Can Steve Spagnuolo’s defenses drive them again? Can a healthy rashi rice reactivate crime? of course. But this generation of dynasties suddenly feel a little more crude than special. Minnesota Vikings: We’re not talking enough about the full lineup surrounding quarterbacks. JJ McCarthy is clearly unknown under the center if the Vikings actually go on to move forward as the 2024 first rounder as a man, but Kevin O’Connell has a strengthening front on both sides of the ball. Two seasons of touchdowns with Bucs. Yes, he is brave in a dangerous way, with 26 picks in the same span. However, he increased his injured lineup in 2024. If Chris Godwin can stay on the field this time, they could probably steal the NFC south again.
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With the exception of surprise trades or blockbuster draft picks, Joshua Allen is set to rely on the so-called receiver group betting on Joshua Palmer’s former Los Angeles Chargers Reserve as a speed threat. Still, as long as Allen is upright, this team must be fine. Sean McDermott’s defensive front could also make a big leap if Joey Bosa can stay healthy as Greg Ruso’s new running mate is off the edge.
Pete Prisco 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Steelers get QB and deal with defense in round 1 for the rest of AFC North
Pete Prisco
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He’s sturdy because he’s in Motown, and Jared Goff had some concerns as the Lions were unable to take advantage of the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed in 2024. With coordinator Ben Johnson, could the magic escape there? probably. But he has arguably the most explosive weapon in the NFL, as well as an ultra-offensive head coach on the Grade A front.
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The Rams, which fluctuate between reconstructions and reloads in recent years, rely heavily on Matthew Stafford’s 37 healthy and productive. Otherwise it’s a Jimmy Garoppolo show. However, the supporting cast is very appealing. Davante Adams is fresh from the crude playoff bids that saw the young, tenacious defense knock the Eagles off the road, giving Stafford a savvy safety valve on the other side of Puka Naquah.
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This is everything about Joe Burrow. He was an MVP caliber in 2024, but essentially a massive defense overshadowed his huge aviation performance. The lineup remains unclear, but the “D” won’t be much worse than it was a year ago. With both Tee Higgins and Ja’marr Chase both financially locked in, perhaps their elite offensive tandems are more secure and ready to go back to the big stage.
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They were shot in the 2024 NFC title game, but the fact that they made it there speaks to the talent that transforms the Jaden Daniels franchise, where rookie dynamism was even more prominent than that of CJ last year. Daniels has Remy Tonsil’s sturdy left tackle and Deebo Samuel’s Swiss military knife to fill the Dan Quinn veteran-infused lineup.
