by Vegas Writer
Saturday, Aug 02, 2025If you're looking to play some NFL futures, it's time to separate the pretenders and contenders, right?
Let's look at five teams to consider, other than the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the always-contending Kansas City Chiefs. No reason to list them, as we know both of them are in the mix, so I am removing them from the list.
Last month, I told you to be wary of five pretenders, so now I'm giving you five NFL contenders to be on the lookout for, in no particular order:
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Are the Packers the sleeper of all NFC contenders?
While the defense lost cornerback Jaire Alexander to the Baltimore Ravens, they added scrappy Nate Hobbs, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders. I honestly don't believe the defense to take a step back. The biggest question is at the quarterback spot with Jordan Love's consistency. Can he stay healthy and show us for a full season what we saw at the end of the 2023 campaign? He's got a young offensive core, the Packers added receiver Matthew Golden to be a No. 1 guy, they won 11 games last year with Love being injured and the team not being as great as we expected them to be. Also, the Packers have gone over their win total in five of the past six seasons. Add in a big season from Josh Jacobs and this offense could lead the Packers to challenging for the NFC North, and if they do that, I could see them making a run at the Super Bowl.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Yeah, I'm saying it and putting the onus on Pete Carroll. Listen, when you have Tom Brady walking around the practice-facility fields, watching Geno Smith throw dimes to Jakobi Meyers, and Maxx Crosby leading a fired-up defensive line, there is a lot of promise to what we're seeing in Henderson, Nevada. Music has been blaring, the public has been welcome, and this is unlike anything we've seen this the team arrived from Oakland years ago. The biggest hitch with this team is rookie Ashton Jeanty, whose maturity takes a lot off Smith's shoulders, and makes this team dangerous. If the Raiders can contend for the AFC West title, and can sneak into the postseason, watch out.
DETROIT LIONS
I know they lost their offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, to the Chicago Bears, and yes, they lost their defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, to the New York Jets. But I have always believed in what Dan Campbell has built in Detroit, and think the Lions are going to be right back in the mix after a 15-2 season. My analysis is backed by Aiden Hutchinson being healthy this season. He posted 7.5 sacks in five games before he suffered a leg injury that cut his year short with a season-ending injury. Detroit is back-to-back NFC North champs and I expect it to contend for a Super Bowl berth, and title.
BUFFALO BILLS
Let's face it, then Bills have been knocking on the door for a while. They fell short yet again to the cheese in the AFC Championship game. But this year could be different. Why? Josh Allen finally found the formula last season, and he now has an MVP under his belt. With confidence in his back pocket, knowing how to win games, he should be able to lead the Bills to another AFC East title. On the other side of the ball, they addressed the defense this offseason. With the luxury of continuity, thanks to returning players in certain units - including the offensive line and both coordinators - and a healthy Joey Bosa, I am convinced the Bills' best shot at winning the AFC.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Lamar Jackson might be the best overall athlete in the NFL. It's his time to shine. The Ravens are looking to become the first team to win three straight AFC North titles, and I don't see the other three teams getting in their way. It's time to get to, and win, a Super Bowl when it comes to the Ravens, who had the NFL's number one offense last season, anchored by the two-time MVP in Jackson, and accompanied by running back Derrick Henry. Baltimore also improved its defense in the offseason. It's go time for the Ravens.
Let's look at five teams to consider, other than the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the always-contending Kansas City Chiefs. No reason to list them, as we know both of them are in the mix, so I am removing them from the list.
Last month, I told you to be wary of five pretenders, so now I'm giving you five NFL contenders to be on the lookout for, in no particular order:
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Are the Packers the sleeper of all NFC contenders?
While the defense lost cornerback Jaire Alexander to the Baltimore Ravens, they added scrappy Nate Hobbs, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders. I honestly don't believe the defense to take a step back. The biggest question is at the quarterback spot with Jordan Love's consistency. Can he stay healthy and show us for a full season what we saw at the end of the 2023 campaign? He's got a young offensive core, the Packers added receiver Matthew Golden to be a No. 1 guy, they won 11 games last year with Love being injured and the team not being as great as we expected them to be. Also, the Packers have gone over their win total in five of the past six seasons. Add in a big season from Josh Jacobs and this offense could lead the Packers to challenging for the NFC North, and if they do that, I could see them making a run at the Super Bowl.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Yeah, I'm saying it and putting the onus on Pete Carroll. Listen, when you have Tom Brady walking around the practice-facility fields, watching Geno Smith throw dimes to Jakobi Meyers, and Maxx Crosby leading a fired-up defensive line, there is a lot of promise to what we're seeing in Henderson, Nevada. Music has been blaring, the public has been welcome, and this is unlike anything we've seen this the team arrived from Oakland years ago. The biggest hitch with this team is rookie Ashton Jeanty, whose maturity takes a lot off Smith's shoulders, and makes this team dangerous. If the Raiders can contend for the AFC West title, and can sneak into the postseason, watch out.
DETROIT LIONS
I know they lost their offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, to the Chicago Bears, and yes, they lost their defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, to the New York Jets. But I have always believed in what Dan Campbell has built in Detroit, and think the Lions are going to be right back in the mix after a 15-2 season. My analysis is backed by Aiden Hutchinson being healthy this season. He posted 7.5 sacks in five games before he suffered a leg injury that cut his year short with a season-ending injury. Detroit is back-to-back NFC North champs and I expect it to contend for a Super Bowl berth, and title.
BUFFALO BILLS
Let's face it, then Bills have been knocking on the door for a while. They fell short yet again to the cheese in the AFC Championship game. But this year could be different. Why? Josh Allen finally found the formula last season, and he now has an MVP under his belt. With confidence in his back pocket, knowing how to win games, he should be able to lead the Bills to another AFC East title. On the other side of the ball, they addressed the defense this offseason. With the luxury of continuity, thanks to returning players in certain units - including the offensive line and both coordinators - and a healthy Joey Bosa, I am convinced the Bills' best shot at winning the AFC.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Lamar Jackson might be the best overall athlete in the NFL. It's his time to shine. The Ravens are looking to become the first team to win three straight AFC North titles, and I don't see the other three teams getting in their way. It's time to get to, and win, a Super Bowl when it comes to the Ravens, who had the NFL's number one offense last season, anchored by the two-time MVP in Jackson, and accompanied by running back Derrick Henry. Baltimore also improved its defense in the offseason. It's go time for the Ravens.
