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There is no exact halfway point in the 17-game NFL schedule, but with nine down and eight to go, we’ll call it good enough. This season has seen its fair share of surprises, and is setting up for a wild finish. The AFC is flooded with new top tier-teams, and the NFC is very deep. Today I’ll take a stab at identifying which teams are powerhouses, whose stock will rise after a slow start, and those that could crumble down the stretch.

Powerhouses

After long consideration, I just can’t definitively say that there are any true powerhouses. Every team in the league has at least two losses and have shown vulnerability. If we’re being honest, it’s more fun this way. A case can be made for nearly every team that currently holds a playoff spot to make a Super Bowl run, and even some that don’t. The NFL has perhaps never had this level of competitive balance and unpredictability.

Risers

Kansas City Chiefs: As crazy as it sounds, if the postseason began this week, the Chiefs would not be a part of it. However, do we really believe that is going to remain the case through 17 weeks? They may be a wild-card team for the first time since Patrick Mahomes took over as the team’s starting quarterback, but they’ll find a way to get in the tournament.

Baltimore Ravens: After an injury-riddled 1-5 start, the Ravens have won back-to-back games to pull to 3-5, and are only two games out of first place in the AFC North. They also still have both of their matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals still to come, meaning they very much still control their destiny. Baltimore can very realistically rally to win the division.

Carolina Panthers: Yes, you read that right. The Panthers really do have a winning record this deep into the season (5-4) and are only 1.5 games back of the NFC South lead. They are already 1-0 in the division, and have three games left against the struggling New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. If Carolina can also steal just one matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it could shock the world and make the postseason.

Fallers

Pittsburgh Steelers: It’s been tough to get an accurate gauge on the Steelers thus far. Coach Mike Tomlin and QB Aaron Rodgers are good enough to keep them in the mix until the end, but Pittsburgh’s defense isn’t the daunting unit that we’re used to it being. Combine that with my expected reemergence of Baltimore, I can see the Steelers coming up short of the postseason yet again.

San Francisco 49ers: I have a ton of respect for the 49ers’ coaching staff having their team sitting at 6-3 with the ridiculous amount of injuries they’ve had to deal with. Because of those injuries, however, I’m not sure they can maintain their success for two more months. Playing in the incredibly competitive NFC West makes matters even tougher for San Francisco.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags have definitely exceeded expectations up to this point, but they’re certainly the weakest among all the AFC teams that currently hold a playoff spot. Even though it has beaten both of them, I wouldn’t consider Jacksonville better than the Chiefs or Houston Texans either. As Kansas City and the Ravens get hot, the Jags will fade out.

See you next year

No team is officially eliminated from postseason contention yet, but it’s safe to say that the Saints, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders won’t be contending this season. For kicks and giggles, I’ll give the Giants the best odds of making an improbable turnaround.

Best remaining games of 2025

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Week 10: This is a potential NFC Championship Game preview. The Eagles currently sit atop the NFC at 6-2, and Green Bay is in the thick of things at 5-2-1. Whoever loses this game will take a big blow toward getting the No. 1 seed for the playoffs.

Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, Christmas Night: Kansas City’s streak of nine consecutive AFC West division titles is in real jeopardy, and it will likely come down to this matchup. The Broncos are off to a great 7-2 start so far, and will look to win their first division championship since 2015.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions, Week 15: Another potential NFC Championship Game preview, the Lions and Rams are attempting to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl after disappointing divisional round losses in 2024. The No. 1 seed could also be in play here.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts, Week 15: This would have been a wild statement back in September, but we could have a potential Super Bowl preview with this matchup. Each are among the six NFL teams that currently only have two losses, and both have very well-rounded rosters.

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots, Week 16: This is a bit of a dark horse, but I expect Baltimore to be back in the postseason mix by this point of the season. It will be a great litmus test for the young Patriots, who currently sit at 7-2 and are trying to prove themselves as legitimate contenders again.

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