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Fox Sports
5 hours ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
New NFL contenders? Ranking 18 teams' playoff chances after missing postseason
We know the turnover is coming, we just don't know where. Clichés become clichés for a reason, and the NFL playoff field proves it every January. The old adage was that half the field flips over every year, lending credence to the idea that every team has hope heading into the season. The numbers don't quite bear that out since the league switched to a 14-team postseason in 2020. In those five years, the turnover is slightly more modest, with the average field sitting at five new teams every year. As many as seven teams have managed the feat in 2022, but the number dipped to four in 2024. Still, the point stands:tha As confident as we might feel about the league's elite in June, there will be shakeups in the pecking order. Who is most likely to break through? Of the 18 teams that didn't make last year's playoffs, there are plenty of choices. Talented teams that came oh-so close, or maybe fun young newcomers. Let's sort it out, in order of probability (along with odds from DraftKings Sportsbook). 18. New York Giants Double whammy for the Giants: a roster that needs work and a schedule that looks unforgiving. New York plays 10 games against 2024 playoff teams this season, with six of those coming in the first eight weeks. Playing the AFC West and NFC North on top of six division games is absolutely brutal. And if that wasn't bad enough, two of the games it drew as a "reward" for finishing fourth are against San Francisco and Las Vegas. Not exactly the cellar dwellers you'd expect. It's a tough break, because I really don't think the roster is that bad. If the Giants had an easier road in front of them, I'd be tempted to think Russell Wilson, Malik Nabers and this fierce pass rush could get them to nine wins. But against this slate, I don't know. It's tough to see. Playoff odds: +650 17. Cleveland Browns I'm conflicted with the Browns, because it's not as if this is an awful roster. Led by Myles Garrett, the Cleveland defense that was such a force in 2023 is largely intact. The offensive line could still be a strength, provided those guys can stay healthy. David Njoku and Jerry Jeudy are good players, and the Browns just drafted a pair of fun, young running backs. Hell, we even know that Joe Flacco is capable of piloting this team to the playoffs. So, why's everyone so down on the Browns? Mainly just playing the odds. What are the chances that the necessary veterans stay healthy? What are the chances that Flacco can deliver 12 or 13 quality starts, instead of five or six? What are the chances that Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel is ready to capably start if need be? And even if all of that works out, what are the chances they can eke out a playoff spot in the AFC North? They don't seem good from here. Playoff odds: +800 16. New York Jets I really like where the Jets stand in the big picture. This looks like a team that's ready to make patient decisions after the impulsiveness of the Aaron Rodgers era. The offensive line looks like it will be a strength of the team after back-to-back tackle picks in the first round of the draft. The defense is still littered with young talent for Aaron Glenn to work with in his first year as head coach. The main problem is just that I don't think there's enough juice yet on offense, headlined by the fact that we don't know if Justin Fields can finally become a franchise guy or if he's just a placeholder. I think the Jets' collective arrow is pointing up right now. I just don't think I see this as anything more than a developmental year for Glenn and his core players. Playoff odds: +475 15. New Orleans Saints Some teams on this list were punished by the tough draw of the schedule. The Saints got pushed up a bit for the opposite reason. I think the NFC South is a bit better than it gets credit for, but it's still one of the divisions that could make a surprise playoff run more manageable for its teams. New Orleans opens its season with a tough run of Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle and Buffalo in September. But after that stretch, the Saints play only three games against 2024 playoff teams. It's a favorable schedule for a roster that isn't as bad as people make it out to be. The one big caveat, obviously, is that this all depends on an unproven quarterback making the most of his opportunity. Whether it's Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener, it's undeniable that the Saints are going to be starting the least experienced quarterback in the NFL this season. On the bright side, the supporting cast is solid, and the schedule isn't as scary as it could be. I don't think that's quite good enough, but it's at least something to think about. Playoff odds: +600 14. New England Patriots There's a world where it all comes together for the Pats in one year. It's so easy to imagine a scenario where we get to November and these young upstarts are sitting on a 7-2 record. Will Campbell is a Day 1 star at left tackle; Morgan Moses has stayed healthy at right tackle. TreVeyon Henderson is on pace for a 1,000-yard rookie season. Robert Spillane and Carlton Davis are playing like Pro Bowlers in their first fall with the team. Mike Vrabel is finding an edge on the margins and outmaneuvering opposing coaches. And with all that added help, Drake Maye looks like the franchise quarterback we all hope he can be. It's all possible, but in my experience, things rarely work out that beautifully all at once. Especially not in a division featuring a true Super Bowl favorite in the Buffalo Bills. I think this will be a vastly improved group in 2025 — and a really fun one. If I had to bet, I think 2026 is more likely for a playoff breakout. But you just never know. Maybe this is one of those rare occasions where it all clicks at once. Playoff odds: +120 13. Las Vegas Raiders Full disclosure: I'm one of those Geno Smith stans. I think he's a good quarterback who's worth building around for at least a few more years. He had a winning record all three years he started in Seattle, and now he's stepping into an offense that already has a few quality pieces in Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty and Jakobi Meyers. I'd have the Raiders much higher on this list if they didn't play in such a loaded division. It's hard to imagine the division title is up for grabs, since the Kansas City Chiefs haven't let it slip in nearly a literal decade. And we know the wild-card competition should be fierce, since the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos were good enough to snag playoff spots last year. Crazier things have happened, though. This isn't a team you should be overlooking. Playoff odds: +330 12. Indianapolis Colts Another team that will see its ceiling heavily impacted by its investments at quarterback. The Colts quietly have a nice roster. I love the additions they made in the secondary and the offensive skill positions are deep. The offensive line concerns me a bit, but it's not a deal-breaker. Much like the Jaguars and Titans, the Colts have to view taking the AFC South from the Houston Texans as a realistic possibility. Of course, realism could look like pure fantasy by November, if Indianapolis doesn't find some reliable quarterback play. Anthony Richardson is entering a make-or-break Year 3 after a rough 2024. Should he break, Daniel Jones is eager to prove he can be the next big quarterback reclamation project, à la Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold. If either one of those guys plays like a franchise quarterback, it's easy to sell the Colts as a playoff team. Otherwise, it will be a turbulent 2025 for Indy. Playoff odds: +200 11. Tennessee Titans We have a precedent for how the Titans might quickly turn things around, because we've seen it in each of the past two years. C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels have provided the blueprint for how the right rookie quarterback can lead a playoff charge. It's a tough standard to hold Cam Ward to, but we know that it's possible. The Titans have done an admirable job building a capable offense around him. The offensive line should be far better than your average No. 1 overall pick is working with. The defense was not the issue in Nashville last year. As I've already said, the AFC South isn't quite the gauntlet as some of the other divisions Ward could have landed in. It might not happen, but a playoff spot is worth daydreaming about — if Ward plays up to his draft slot. Playoff odds: +370 10. Carolina Panthers There's a strong case to be made for the Panthers as a big-time sleeper team this fall. Bryce Young was so fun during his second-half surge last year. Carolina's offensive line is good. Its skill groups have some added juice, highlighted by first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan. Its defense, which was one of the most untalented groups in the league last season, spent a small fortune on upgrades. The Panthers play in the manageable NFC South, and they don't play a game against a 2024 playoff team until Halloween. It's all there for them to turn some heads. Playoff odds: +250 9. Chicago Bears The Bears are an exciting, interesting team, so it feels harsh to place them so far down this list. My concern is not with Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson or any of the wonderful additions that have been made this offseason. The problem is mainly that reaching the playoffs looks like one hell of a Mt. Everest-sized task in 2025. For starters, we know the Bears play in the NFC North — the division that produced three 11-win teams last year. Bumping up against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers six times promises to be a slog. If that wasn't enough, the Bears will also be seeing the likes of Philadelphia, Washington, Dallas, Baltimore, Cincinnati and San Francisco. This is a meat grinder of a schedule. So, while I am a Williams believer, and I am excited to watch him play for Johnson this season, I'm not ready to dive into the deep end just yet. Playoff odds: +160 8. Seattle Seahawks There sure was a lot of turnover in Seattle this offseason. Obviously, Sam Darnold is the big new name. Is drafting Grey Zabel in the first round enough to stabilize the offensive line? Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a star in the making, but do Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have enough gas in the tank to offset the loss of DK Metcalf? Can newly-signed DeMarcus Lawrence stay healthy enough to elevate the Seahawks' pass rush? Seattle has sneaky big potential if the answer to these questions is "yes," but I'm skeptical. Playoff odds: +150 7. Arizona Cardinals Most everything I said about the Seahawks applies to the Cardinals, only there's a lot more continuity in Arizona. I'm such a big fan of what general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon are building in the desert, I want to believe. Last year, it was the offense that got the offseason makeover; this year, it's the defense. This isn't the most star-studded roster in the NFC, but if these defensive upgrades pan out, the Cardinals should be a well-rounded team. The one problem with my plan is that the Cards play in the NFC West, which looks loaded again. They'll likely need to be better than 3-3 in division play if they want to make some noise. Playoff odds: +130 6. Miami Dolphins Miami and the next team on this list remind me of each other in that they're both getting overlooked a bit more than their talent level suggests. Yes, the Dolphins have flaws, and I would not pick them to win the Super Bowl. But we also know that they're usually in the playoff mix when Tua Tagovailoa is healthy. That's not to say Miami will steal the AFC East from the Bills. But if Tua's healthy and the offense is firing on all cylinders, that could be good enough for a 9-8 or 10-7 wild-card berth. Playoff odds: +155 5. Dallas Cowboys Dallas would be higher on the list if it played in another division. This is a talented roster, and the Cowboys are always in the playoff mix when Dak Prescott is healthy. It's just a tough, tough road. The reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles look as strong as ever, and the Washington Commanders are seeking to build on a 12-5 season. If that wasn't enough, there are games against the Chiefs, Lions and Packers to worry about. Prescott, Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb will have the Cowboys in the mix, but securing a playoff spot in the toughest NFC East we've seen in years will be a challenge. Playoff odds: +190 4. Atlanta Falcons Everyone's going to spend the spring and summer hyping up the Falcons. Will they finally deliver on it, or will they hand the division to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yet again? The answer completely depends on Michael Penix Jr. If he's ready to be a franchise quarterback, Atlanta just might win the NFC South for the first time since 2016. The offense has everything it could possibly need. The defense spent big-time resources on its pass rush during the draft. The Falcons only play two games against 2024 playoff teams after Week 6. If Penix is good, this team has serious potential to break out for 12-plus wins. If he's merely fine, or if he's shaky, it could be another frustrating season watching the guys down south hang another banner. Playoff odds: +155 3. Jacksonville Jaguars Same story as the Falcons, different city. One of these days, I'm going to stop believing in the Jags — but not today. It's just such a tempting combination. I firmly believe Trevor Lawrence is a good quarterback when he's healthy, and both his offensive line and his receiving corps should be improved in 2025. The defense made a few solid additions. Just as important: The path to the postseason is still unfairly forgiving, as the AFC South remains one of the least intimidating divisions in the league. The Jaguars do have to play the AFC West and NFC West, which will be tough. But, with all due respect to Houston, this is one of the easiest division schedules you're going to find. Stealing the division from the Texans is an attainable goal, even if I don't fully trust Jacksonville to do it. Playoff odds: +155 2. Cincinnati Bengals Honestly, the Bengals haven't given me a ton of reasons to think they've fixed last year's defensive issues. Trey Hendrickson remains in a contract stalemate with the team, and first-round pick Shemar Stewart is staging a rarely-seen rookie holdout. Those are scary problems when you have to play six games against the AFC North, as well as matchups with Buffalo, Detroit and Green Bay, among others. All of that said, I'm not willing to bet against Joe Burrow and this Cincy offense. They might need to average 34 points per game to reach the playoffs, but the crazy thing is they're capable of that. It's going to be stressful, because it's always stressful with the Bengals, but I still think they're capable of 10 wins and making the playoffs. Playoff odds: -160 1. San Francisco 49ers I think we're all writing the 49ers off a bit early. There's been some attrition in the Bay Area, and this is no longer the Infinity Gauntlet roster from 2022. It's still a quality roster, so long as the veterans can stay healthy. That is a gamble, to be fair, but it's one I'm willing to make. It feels a little less risky when you look at San Francisco's schedule. By virtue of finishing fourth in the NFC West last year, the Niners are facing about as forgiving a slate as you could hope to see. They only play four games against 2024 playoff teams — two games against the division rival Rams, along with road trips to Tampa Bay and Houston. They also play a whopping seven games against teams that drafted in the top 10 this spring. There are no guarantees, but I think a bounce back is coming. Playoff odds: -200 David Helman covers the NFL for FOX Sports and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He previously spent nine seasons covering the Cowboys for the team's official website. In 2018, he won a regional Emmy for his role in producing "Dak Prescott: A Family Reunion" about the quarterback's time at Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter at @davidhelman_ . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'This dude's a superstar': Russell Wilson credits Malik Nabers and Brian Daboll as major reasons for signing with New York Giants
Russell Wilson (via Getty Images) Seasoned quarterback Russell Wilson is taking on a new era with the New York Giants, citing wide receiver Malik Nabers and head coach Brian Daboll as top reasons for his move. Following short tenures with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, the onetime Seattle Seahawks legend is banking on Big Blue's upside — and he's convinced that the franchise has the proper components to succeed in 2025 and beyond. Russell Wilson confident that Malik Nabers' ability and Brian Daboll's command are key to New York Giants' future Russell Wilson Comes Clean About Playing for Mike Tomlin and Managing George Pickens Russell Wilson is familiar with transition. Since leaving the Seattle Seahawks in 2021, the Super Bowl quarterback has dressed for the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, he's signed with the New York Giants for 2025, and he's made one thing explicit: it wasn't geographic or about openings — it was people. On the '7 PM in Brooklyn' podcast with Carmelo Anthony, Russell Wilson analyzed what attracted him to the Giants and revealed that at his top list was second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers, whom Russell Wilson called 'a superstar.' 'I was just excited because, for me, New York and this opportunity here to play here, the world's biggest market, the toughest, one of the toughest divisions in football, a lot of odds against you, team that I played against last year when I was in Pittsburgh,' Wilson said. 'I just turned on the film and watching this guy Malik Nabers, man, this dude's a superstar.... I saw him, I was watching the film and just before I tried to make decisions, try to get a clear understanding of who the players are, this and that, and obviously you see the highlights and everything else, but when you watch every single catch and every single rep and every play, you get to see the kind of player he is, man, he's dynamic. He touches that football, he gone.' Also read: Russell Wilson believed in divine timing—says he manifested Ciara before their relationship even started Russell Wilson is wagering on the New York Giants' future and on the fresh stars and tough leadership that have impressed him from afar. With Malik Nabers looking like a potential franchise receiver and Brian Daboll steering the team with a veteran hand, Wilson sees more than a new jersey, he sees a genuine hope for resurgence in New York.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Named Giants' Breakout Candidate
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Named Giants' Breakout Candidate originally appeared on Athlon Sports. New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen was almost right. It's hard to grant the Giants a victory for how the Saquon Barkley decision went down. With the Philadelphia Eagles, he amassed over 2,000 yards and won a Super Bowl, trampling his former team in the process. But Schoen wanted to get starter-level production from a younger, cheaper back than Barkley. In Round 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft, he found his answer. Advertisement Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. got a late start behind Devin Singletary but was among New York's strong rookie class, taking the veteran's job by midseason and racing away with the opportunity. He'll start in 2025, armed with fourth-round rookie Cam Skattebo as a stylistic complement. The Giants' second-year starter was named a breakout candidate by Yardbarker as he looks to entrench himself in his role. 'New York's starting quarterback is unclear this season, but Tracy should see most of the work at running back,' Seth Trachtman wrote. 'The dynamic second-year player had over 1,100 yards from scrimmage last season and has more ability.' Advertisement Tracy ran 192 times for 839 yards and five scores in 2024. In the passing game, he generated an additional 284 yards and one touchdown. He and receiver Malik Nabers became the third pair of rookies to each cross 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Skattebo figures to take some of his third-down work away, given his competency as a pass-catcher and strength as a pass protector. Tracy, though, is a former college receiver and offers more big-play potential due to his elite athleticism. Tracy has earned the right to start, and barring excellence from Skattebo, his job is likely safe. Still, there is work to be done. His instincts looked better inside than most anticipated, but he was less effective rushing outside the tackles. He must take a step forward on passing downs, too, to truly hold off Skattebo. With that said, Tracy is one of New York's promising young talents and a solid reason for optimism heading into 2025. Advertisement Related: 3 Stats Define Giants' Newest Running Back Related: NFC East Running Back Rankings: Where Do Giants Land? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Russell Wilson says Malik Nabers, Brian Daboll are why he signed with Giants
Russell Wilson says Malik Nabers, Brian Daboll are why he signed with Giants Show Caption Hide Caption Greg Olsen believes Travis Kelce 'controls how he leaves the game' Former NFL tight end Greg Olsen has high praise for Travis Kelce and shares when he believes Travis Kelce will eventually retire from the NFL. Sports Seriously Russell Wilson has been no stranger to moving in the last few years. He has gone coast-to-coast since 2021, which was his final season with the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, he's made stops with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers before inking a deal with the New York Giants for the 2025 season. While the Steelers have made their intentions clear with their interest in Aaron Rodgers, Wilson is letting everyone know why he decided to play for "Big Blue" in the shadows of the Big Apple. During an appearance on the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast with Carmelo Anthony, the quarterback was asked about his offseason move to the Giants. He went on to list a number of reasons, but none appeared to be bigger than Malik Nabers. "I was just excited because, for me, New York and this opportunity here to play here, the world's biggest market, the toughest, one of the toughest divisions in football, a lot of odds against you, team that I played against last year when I was in Pittsburgh," Wilson said. "I just turned on the film and watching this guy Malik Nabers, man, this dude's a superstar." Wilson spoke glowingly of Nabers, who finished his rookie season with 109 catches, 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. "I saw him, I was watching the film and just before I tried to make decisions, try to get a clear understanding of who the players are, this and that, and obviously you see the highlights and everything else, but when you watch every single catch and every single rep and every play, you get to see the kind of player he is, man, he's dynamic. He touches that football, he gone," Wilson said. The quarterback also had praise for his new head coach. "I really liked [Brian] Daboll too," Wilson said. "Obviously watching Dabes over the years, the guy who was a coach of the year, I don't know, two, three years ago, brilliant mind spending time with him. I actually came out here last year before I signed with Pittsburgh last time too, and I just had a great appreciation of his mind for the game and how he saw the game." The veteran figures to be the starter heading into the 2025 season in what has quickly become a crowded quarterback room. New York signed Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency before drafting Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. There is also the presence of Tommy DeVito, who reached folk hero status over the last two years. Wilson pointed out that he doesn't shy away from challenges or the bright lights. Ultimately, he feels comfortable with the Giants, adding that they have the pieces for success going forward. Considering the Giants have made the playoffs in just two of the 13 seasons since winning the Super Bowl in 2011, the quarterback certainly has his work cut out for him.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots get primetime television spot for anticipated preseason game
Patriots get primetime television spot for anticipated preseason game The New England Patriots will face the New York Giants in a nationally televised game in Week 3 of the preseason. A listing of all of the televised 2025 preseason games was shared on social media on Thursday by NFL analyst Andrew Siciliano. The Patriots' matchup with the Giants will be featured on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, August 21 at 8 p.m. ET. The Patriots and Giants have seemingly made preseason matchups a tradition. They have met 30 times, with the Giants holding a 19-11 advantage in the preseason series. They played each other at least once a year from 2005-2019. The Patriots were defeated by the Giants 23-21 in the 2022 preseason game. There's some added intrigue to this matchup given the number of talented young stars from both teams. The Giants have second-year wideout Malik Nabers, rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, while the Patriots have second-year quarterback Drake Maye and rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell. Could we potentially see a tease of Campbell going head-to-head with Carter? If not in the preseason, then we could definitely see it later in the year, as the Patriots are also scheduled to meet the Giants in a regular-season Monday Night Football matchup in December. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
