We’re almost two months removed from the Philadelphia Eagles rolling to a historic Super Bowl LIX victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. And it wouldn’t be crazy to call the reigning champions the favorites to go the distance in 2025. They’ve retained much of their title-winning offensive core, including an all-world offensive line that saw star right tackle Lane Johnson land a contract extension this offseason.
Two months have also allowed the rest of the NFL to play catch-up. With the first big waves of free agency now in the rear view, quite a few clubs have undergone makeovers for the 2025 campaign, either via splashy signings, trades or coaching shakeups. Think the Chicago Bears, who reset their entire staff under new head coach Ben Johnson, then spent big to bolster Caleb Williams‘ offensive line.
That said, are any teams legitimately ready to challenge the Eagles? We’d still expect Philadelphia to be a top-tier contender coming off the Super Bowl run, but here are five candidates to challenge the Birds’ throne after the initial movement of the veteran market:
Honorable mention
Getty Images
- Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson is the NFL’s closest version of Superman, and Derrick Henry remained a runaway train in 2024. Certainly they’ve got the upside to go all the way. Once again, however, Jackson doesn’t have an eye-popping receiving corps; the aging DeAndre Hopkins is their “big-ticket” addition. The secondary has questions. And No. 8’s yet to have a defining January run.
- Green Bay Packers: They made the playoffs in 2024 despite Jordan Love and basically his entire receiving corps playing through injuries all year. Matt LaFleur is a virtual lock to have this group playing January football, especially with Josh Jacobs‘ bruising ground game in tow. The only reason they’re not in the top five? Their biggest “reinforcement” for Love’s arsenal is Mecole Hardman.
- Houston Texans: The 2024 season was a real downer for C.J. Stroud, who went from sterling rookie to disheveled veteran in a hurry. Swapping Christian Kirk in for Stefon Diggs, then shuffling the majority of the O-line, isn’t gonna win back many skeptics of the Texans’ attack. But Stroud’s poise should drive a rebound, and DeMeco Ryans‘ defense could be nasty with C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the back end.
- Minnesota Vikings: We’re not talking enough about the complete lineup that surrounds their quarterback. J.J. McCarthy is obviously an unknown under center, provided the Vikings actually proceed with the 2024 first-rounder as their guy, but Kevin O’Connell now has a fortified front on both sides of the ball, with Will Fries and Javon Hargrave helping beef up the trenches.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Maybe it’s time we start giving Baker Mayfield some legitimate respect, now that he’s thrown a combined 69 (!) touchdowns in two seasons with the Bucs. Yes, he’s also gutsy in a dangerous way, with 26 picks over that same span. But he elevated an injury-riddled lineup in 2024, and if Chris Godwin can stay on the field this time, maybe they can steal the NFC South yet again.
Getty Images
Barring a surprise trade or blockbuster draft pick, Josh Allen is once again set to rely on a so-so receiver group, which is betting on ex-Los Angeles Chargers reserve Joshua Palmer as the speed threat. Still, as long as Allen is upright, this team should be feisty. Sean McDermott’s defensive front also has the potential to take a big leap if Joey Bosa can stay healthy as Greg Rousseau’s new running mate off the edge.
Getty Images
Sturdy as he’s been in Motown, Jared Goff had a couple of concerning outings as the Lions failed to capitalize on the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed in 2024, including a turnover spree in the conference title game. Could the magic run out there, with coordinator Ben Johnson now gone? Possibly. Yet he’s still got arguably the NFL’s most explosive weaponry, plus a Grade-A front and ultra-aggressive head coach.
Imagn Images
Fluctuating between rebuild and reload in recent years, the Rams are pretty dependent on Matthew Stafford staying healthy and productive at 37, or else it’s Jimmy Garoppolo’s show. The supporting cast is very enticing, though. Fresh off a scrappy playoff bid that almost saw their young, tenacious defense knock off the Eagles on the road, Davante Adams gives Stafford a savvy safety valve opposite Puka Nacua.
Imagn Images
This is all about Joe Burrow, really. He was MVP-caliber in 2024, but a porous defense basically overshadowed every one of his gargantuan aerial performances. That lineup remains iffy, but the “D” also can’t be much worse than it was a year ago. Now that both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are locked up financially, perhaps their elite offensive tandem will be more at ease, ready to return to a big stage.
Getty Images
They got trounced in the 2024 NFC title game, but the fact they made it there at all speaks to the franchise-altering talent of Jayden Daniels, whose rookie-year dynamism was even more pronounced than, say, that of C.J. Stroud the year prior. Now Daniels has a sturdier left tackle in Laremy Tunsil and a Swiss Army knife in Deebo Samuel to help fill out Dan Quinn’s veteran-infused lineup.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Rozsáhlý blackout ve Španělsku ovlivnil i turnaj v Madridu. Dvě utkání jsou rozehraná
„Výpadek proudu znemožňuje používání elektronických čárových rozhodčí. A také nad kurtem na stadionu Manuela Santany zůstala viset kamera,“ uvedla tenisová asociace ATP.Před výpadkem elektřiny vedl Bulhar Gregor Dimitrov nad Američanem Jacobem Fearneym 6:4, 5:4 a o game dříve měl mečbol. Duel museli přerušit i bosenský tenista Damir Džumhur s Italem Matteem Arnaldim. Na čtyřhru čekají Češi Jakub Menšík s Adamem Pavláskem.Widespread power outages in large parts of Spain, Portugal and France have left play at the Madrid Open suspended and fans in the dark 👀As of now, it's unclear what caused the blackout.pic.twitter.com/HDtGIzmZYE— DW Sports (@dw_sports) April 28, 2025 Výpadek proudu zastavil mimo jiné metro, semafory nebo provoz na železnicích a letištích. Příčina blackoutu není známa.
Rogério Ceni exalta time do futebol brasileiro: “Equipe de respeito”
Rogério Ceni em coletiva no comando técnico do Bahia (Letícia Martins - Divulgação) Rogério Ceni espera dois confrontos equilibrados e difíceis para o Bahia diante do Paysandu, nas próximas semanas, valendo vaga nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, em batalha de 180 minutos que já se inicia nesta quarta-feira (30). Na coletiva após o importante triunfo sobre o Palmeiras, o treinador do Esquadrão foi questionado sobre o próximo oponente, e disse que vai dedicar as próximas horas nos estudos para entender os pontos fortes da equipe nortista, que atualmente disputa a Série B do Brasileirão. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Vi Paysandu x Goiás, hoje empataram com o CRB por 1 a 1. Mas não acompanhei, só escalação. Não vi nada ainda, vou ver à noite. Equipe de respeito, torcida de peso, Norte-Nordeste, está numa Série B com investimento, bons jogadores […]
Commanders set to return to Washington, D.C., with new stadium deal; potential $3B complex could open in 2030
Getty Images Almost 30 years after leaving Washington, D.C., to play in Landover, Maryland, the Commanders are prepared to return to their roots. This week the team struck a deal with the District of Columbia to construct an all-new stadium complex, as the Commanders confirmed Monday, and could open the venue as soon as 2030.Rumors have swirled regarding the Commanders' stadium plans for years, as the club is only contracted to use the Northwest Stadium branding at its current Landover venue until 2027. Team owner Josh Harris, who acquired the franchise from Dan Snyder in 2023, had also been vocal about an interest in relocating the team back to D.C., where it famously played at RFK Stadium from 1961-1996.The Commanders' new deal is set to do just that, as ESPN first reported, with Washington now cleared to plan construction of […]
College baseball week in review: NC State surges into ACC lead, Texas sweeps Texas A&M
On Feb. 25, NC State lost for the fifth consecutive time, a 5-1 decision at home to Richmond on a Tuesday afternoon. The Wolfpack were 3-5 overall and had scored a total of seven runs in their previous four games.Not great — but also not time to panic.They’ve lost only seven times since.On Saturday, they completed an emphatic three-game sweep over Clemson, ranked No. 2 at the time, with a 4-1 victory in Raleigh. They outscored the Tigers 26-8 in the three games and are now 30-12 overall and alone in first place in the ACC at 15-6.AdvertisementNC State did just about everything well in the series, but the Pack’s relief pitching was especially impressive. They used only three relievers (one in each game), with Anderson Nance, Andrew Shaffner and Jacob Dudan combining to give up only six hits and […]
When will Liverpool get the Premier League trophy and will there be a parade?
Liverpool are Premier League title winners.They only required one point from their final five league games to earn their second Premier League trophy, and English record-equalling 20th title overall, but got the job done in style by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 on Sunday to round off a remarkable first season in charge for head coach Arne Slot.AdvertisementThe celebrations began well before the final whistle and will continue long after the campaign and trophy parade are over.Here’s The Athletic’s recap on what happened and what comes next.How big a surprise was it that Liverpool won the title?On Sunday? Not at all. Few expected anything other than a Liverpool title party against Spurs, whose focus was firmly fixed on their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt. After an early wobble, which saw Slot’s team fall behind to Dominic Solanke’s header, they seized control […]
Marcus Rashford expected to miss remainder of season with hamstring injury
Marcus Rashford is expected to miss the remainder of Aston Villa’s season with a hamstring injury.Further tests will be done to establish the severity of Rashford’s injury but it is not anticipated that he will need surgery.Villa have only four Premier League games to go in their season and the last of those is against Rashford’s parent club Manchester United on May 25, where he is ineligible to feature, meaning it is highly likely his club campaign is over. It is not completely out of the question that he is fit in time for Villa’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur on May 18, though that is complicated by the discussions over moving that fixture.AdvertisementRashford is now focussing on getting fit in time for England’s fixtures in June and then pre-season. The 27-year-old will do his rehabilitation at Villa but his […]
Related
Rozsáhlý blackout ve Španělsku ovlivnil i turnaj v Madridu. Dvě utkání jsou rozehraná
„Výpadek proudu znemožňuje používání elektronických čárových rozhodčí. A také nad kurtem na stadionu Manuela Santany zůstala viset kamera,“ uvedla tenisová asociace ATP.Před výpadkem elektřiny vedl Bulhar Gregor Dimitrov nad Američanem Jacobem Fearneym 6:4, 5:4 a o game dříve měl mečbol. Duel museli přerušit i bosenský tenista Damir Džumhur s Italem Matteem Arnaldim. Na čtyřhru čekají Češi Jakub Menšík s Adamem Pavláskem.Widespread power outages in large parts of Spain, Portugal and France have left play at the Madrid Open suspended and fans in the dark 👀As of now, it's unclear what caused the blackout.pic.twitter.com/HDtGIzmZYE— DW Sports (@dw_sports) April 28, 2025 Výpadek proudu zastavil mimo jiné metro, semafory nebo provoz na železnicích a letištích. Příčina blackoutu není známa.
Rogério Ceni exalta time do futebol brasileiro: “Equipe de respeito”
Rogério Ceni em coletiva no comando técnico do Bahia (Letícia Martins - Divulgação) Rogério Ceni espera dois confrontos equilibrados e difíceis para o Bahia diante do Paysandu, nas próximas semanas, valendo vaga nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, em batalha de 180 minutos que já se inicia nesta quarta-feira (30). Na coletiva após o importante triunfo sobre o Palmeiras, o treinador do Esquadrão foi questionado sobre o próximo oponente, e disse que vai dedicar as próximas horas nos estudos para entender os pontos fortes da equipe nortista, que atualmente disputa a Série B do Brasileirão. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Vi Paysandu x Goiás, hoje empataram com o CRB por 1 a 1. Mas não acompanhei, só escalação. Não vi nada ainda, vou ver à noite. Equipe de respeito, torcida de peso, Norte-Nordeste, está numa Série B com investimento, bons jogadores […]
Commanders set to return to Washington, D.C., with new stadium deal; potential $3B complex could open in 2030
Getty Images Almost 30 years after leaving Washington, D.C., to play in Landover, Maryland, the Commanders are prepared to return to their roots. This week the team struck a deal with the District of Columbia to construct an all-new stadium complex, as the Commanders confirmed Monday, and could open the venue as soon as 2030.Rumors have swirled regarding the Commanders' stadium plans for years, as the club is only contracted to use the Northwest Stadium branding at its current Landover venue until 2027. Team owner Josh Harris, who acquired the franchise from Dan Snyder in 2023, had also been vocal about an interest in relocating the team back to D.C., where it famously played at RFK Stadium from 1961-1996.The Commanders' new deal is set to do just that, as ESPN first reported, with Washington now cleared to plan construction of […]
College baseball week in review: NC State surges into ACC lead, Texas sweeps Texas A&M
On Feb. 25, NC State lost for the fifth consecutive time, a 5-1 decision at home to Richmond on a Tuesday afternoon. The Wolfpack were 3-5 overall and had scored a total of seven runs in their previous four games.Not great — but also not time to panic.They’ve lost only seven times since.On Saturday, they completed an emphatic three-game sweep over Clemson, ranked No. 2 at the time, with a 4-1 victory in Raleigh. They outscored the Tigers 26-8 in the three games and are now 30-12 overall and alone in first place in the ACC at 15-6.AdvertisementNC State did just about everything well in the series, but the Pack’s relief pitching was especially impressive. They used only three relievers (one in each game), with Anderson Nance, Andrew Shaffner and Jacob Dudan combining to give up only six hits and […]
When will Liverpool get the Premier League trophy and will there be a parade?
Liverpool are Premier League title winners.They only required one point from their final five league games to earn their second Premier League trophy, and English record-equalling 20th title overall, but got the job done in style by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 on Sunday to round off a remarkable first season in charge for head coach Arne Slot.AdvertisementThe celebrations began well before the final whistle and will continue long after the campaign and trophy parade are over.Here’s The Athletic’s recap on what happened and what comes next.How big a surprise was it that Liverpool won the title?On Sunday? Not at all. Few expected anything other than a Liverpool title party against Spurs, whose focus was firmly fixed on their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt. After an early wobble, which saw Slot’s team fall behind to Dominic Solanke’s header, they seized control […]
Marcus Rashford expected to miss remainder of season with hamstring injury
Marcus Rashford is expected to miss the remainder of Aston Villa’s season with a hamstring injury.Further tests will be done to establish the severity of Rashford’s injury but it is not anticipated that he will need surgery.Villa have only four Premier League games to go in their season and the last of those is against Rashford’s parent club Manchester United on May 25, where he is ineligible to feature, meaning it is highly likely his club campaign is over. It is not completely out of the question that he is fit in time for Villa’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur on May 18, though that is complicated by the discussions over moving that fixture.AdvertisementRashford is now focussing on getting fit in time for England’s fixtures in June and then pre-season. The 27-year-old will do his rehabilitation at Villa but his […]
Be the first to leave a comment