When someone makes predictions about an NFL team—whether about their season record, playoff chances, or individual player performances—it can significantly influence how they perceive that team moving forward. Once a person commits to a prediction, especially if it’s strong or public, they often begin to view the team’s actions and outcomes through the lens of their expectations.
Fans may find themselves rooting more for the success or failure of specific teams, not out of loyalty, but because it validates their preseason takes. This can shift the way they watch games, talk about the league, and connect with other fans, as personal predictions begin to intertwine with emotional investment and team loyalty. Over time, predictions can reshape fandom itself, turning what was once a neutral or casual interest into a more opinion-driven and emotionally charged experience.
Los Angeles Rams (16-1); #1 seed in NFC
In this prediction, the Rams only blemish comes in Week 3 at Philadelphia, a tough primetime game on the road. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles dynamic run-pass option offense overwhelms the Rams front seven, exposing some early-season kinks in the defensive game plan. The Eagles win 31-24 in a game that feels closer than the score suggests.
From that point on, the Rams don’t look back. They steamroll divisional rivals, sweep the 49ers for the first time in years, and dominate high-powered offenses in statement games throughout the season. Stafford plays at an MVP level, and McVay is widely considered Coach of the Year. By Week 16, they’ve already clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
They finish 16-1, setting franchise records for scoring and total yardage, and enter the playoffs as the most complete and balanced team in the league determined to prove that the Week 3 loss was a fluke, not a flaw.
New York Giants (1-16); #1 Draft Pick in 2026
According to preseason analysis, the Giants face one of the toughest schedules in the league, including an early stretch against top pass defenses: Chiefs, Chargers, Eagles twice, Broncos—all within the first 8 games.
The Giants rely on Russell Wilson to stabilize at QB, but their protection issues persist. Despite wiring over $50 million into the offensive line, the unit still ranked near the bottom in both pass and run-blocking metrics last season. Under heavy pressure, Wilson’s performance collapses, making him among the worst quarterbacks in EPA when rushed.
Offensive inconsistency, aging protection, rookie growing pains, injuries across multiple units, and a brutal schedule all intersect to drive the Giants to a historic low. While flashes of Nabers, Carter, and Burns offer hope, they’re overshadowed by structural flaws. In this scenario, 1–16 becomes not just bad luck. Still, the logical outcome of an underdeveloped roster facing league-wide elite competition week after week is overwhelming to me, and I do not see the New York Giants being a success in 2025.
Miami Dolphins (6-11); Last in Division
In the 2025 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins suffer a dramatic collapse, finishing with a disappointing 6-11 record that ultimately leads to the firing of head coach Mike McDaniel. The downfall begins with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who either regresses after signing a lucrative contract extension or suffers a mid-season injury, possibly another concussion or shoulder issue, that sidelines him for several games. The lack of protection leads to Tua taking more hits and making costly mistakes, while the run game stalls, rendering Miami’s offensive scheme one-dimensional.
On the defensive side, the departure of Vic Fangio continues to be felt. Despite offseason adjustments, the defense regresses significantly, ranking in the bottom 10 of the league. Not to mention the rash of injuries the Dolphins have received in their secondary during the 2025 offseason program.
Frustrations mount as the team loses several close games, and reports begin to surface of locker room tension and dissatisfaction with McDaniel’s leadership and in-game decision-making. In early January 2026, McDaniel is fired, officially labeled a “mutual parting of ways.” The Dolphins begin a new coaching search, eyeing candidates such as Arthur Smith, Mike McCarthy, or even Jon Gruden, if any make themselves available.
Atlanta Falcons (6-11); New Regime Incoming?
With a rising star, Michael Penix Jr., and explosive weapons like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, the playoffs seemed not just possible, but expected.
Instead, Atlanta‘s 2025 season will be remembered for what could have been and what went wrong. Penix opens the season with flashes of brilliance, slinging deep balls to London and Pitts and keeping defenses honest with his poise in the pocket. But after Week 6, the wheels come off. Penix begins forcing throws, especially on third downs, and struggles against disguised coverages.
Bijan Robinson, despite breaking the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season, he often disappeared for quarters at a time. The offensive line, featuring stalwarts Jake Matthews and Chris Lindstrom, struggled to stay healthy, and inconsistent run blocking forced the Falcons to lean on the passing game more than planned.
Finally, you have Drake London, whom everyone expects at least one thousand yards; however, the sub-par QB play significantly brings down the wow moments that London is capable of. Not to mention the supporting cast of Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCLoud do not leave much to be desired, and in my prediction, both lay and egg with less than productive seasons. This leaves the Falcons in an extremely tough spot and possibly looking for a new HC for the 2026 NFL season.
Pride in Your Predictions
Even if no one else takes your NFL predictions seriously, the act of making them and genuinely believing in them can deeply shape the way you experience the game. When you invest time into analyzing teams, projecting outcomes, and forming opinions, you naturally become more engaged with every snap, every score, and every storyline.
Wins feel like validation, losses sting a little more, and even neutral games take on new meaning because they tie back to your expectations. Your predictions become a personal lens through which you watch the season unfold, adding layers of excitement, frustration, and pride. In the end, whether you’re right or wrong, the process of investing in your take makes the game more immersive and ultimately more fun.
