2025 NFL Predictions Roundtable: Awards, Playoffs, and More!

There seems to be consensus among the Two Point Conversion staff on one particular AFC team...

Aug 25, 2025

Dylan Jackson, Jacob Lequire, Akil Guruparan, Evan Campos, Chandler Gallimore, and Stephen Sears contributed to this post.

The NFL season is just under two weeks away - which means it’s time to make some predictions! The Two-Point Conversion Staff came together to give their picks for each award, some playoff races, and more.

Seeding Prediction - NFC Playoff Picture

Dylan Jackson (DJ): Eagles (1), Packers (2), Buccaneers (3), Rams (4), Lions (5), Vikings (6), Cowboys (7)

The best team that just missed out for me was the Washington Commanders. I’m very hesitant on their team, which I think over-performed relative to talent last year, and continues to age. The most difficult division to predict was the NFC West, though. The 49ers already have a ton of injuries and uncertainty. The Matthew Stafford injury has complicated things for me. I’m not 100% sold on the Cardinals, and Sam Darnold really does scare me for Seattle.

Jacob Lequire (JL): Packers (1), 49ers (2), Eagles (3), Buccaneers (4), Vikings (5), Lions (6), Cardinals (7)

I find myself going back and forth on the NFC North standings every single day this offseason. I think all three of the teams I mentioned have a claim at the Division Title, and today I just so happened to be Packers-pilled. I think the Packers can continue to ascend if they turn their division record around. The Vikings and Lions are both strong teams as well. I think Minnesota's roster is high-end, and Detroit should bounce back from all the defensive injuries, despite losing multiple coaches. The most interesting teams to me are from the NFC West, the division I feel is the most wide open. The 49ers have an extremely easy schedule, and when writing about the Cardinals, I was surprised at how effective and efficient the offense was, despite Kyler Murray not getting the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. I think that the defensive investment on the Cardinals end can force a turnaround on that side of the ball, leading to them snagging the last Wild Card spot.

Chandler Gallimore (CG): Eagles (1), 49ers (2), Lions (3), Buccaneers (4), Packers (5), Cowboys (6), Rams (7)

In my projected NFC playoff seeding, I have the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, and Buccaneers winning their divisions, in that order. I expect the Eagles and Lions to remain dominant forces in the conference. Tampa Bay still looks like the strongest team in the NFC South, but I anticipate a tight race at the top with three teams finishing in the 8–10 win range. The 49ers should bounce back this year with a healthy Christian McCaffrey, setting them up for a strong season.

In the fifth seed, I have the Packers, who I expect to fall just short of the Lions but still outperform the Vikings. Dallas takes the sixth seed, with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb putting together a standout season. Rounding out the playoff picture, I have Matthew Stafford and the Rams returning to the postseason—where I believe they could win a couple of games.

Akil Guruparan (AG): Eagles (1), Lions (2), Rams (3), Panthers (4), Packers (5), Commanders (6), Buccaneers (7)

The Panthers are probably the only real surprise pick here - part of it is me being a homer, but the other part is that the NFCS is so weak, and the Bucs' profile from last year points to so much room for regression, that I think the return of Derrick Brown, a league-average pass rush, and Bryce Young playing at down-the-stretch levels for a whole season will give the Panthers enough juice to sneak a winning record and take the division. I do think there's a massive, massive gap between the top 2 in this conference and everybody else right now. Ordering 3-7 in about any order wouldn't really surprise me.

Evan Campos (EC): Eagles (1), Packers (2), 49ers (3), Buccaneers (4), Commanders (5), Lions (6), Rams (7)

For the NFC, my predicted seeding is the Eagles at No. 1, followed by the Packers at No. 2, the 49ers at No. 3, the Buccaneers at No. 4, the Commanders at No. 5, the Lions at No. 6 and the Rams at No. 7. The 49ers should bounce back after a season wrecked by injuries, missed kicks and late-game collapses, as they were more competitive than their record suggested and now face one of the league’s softest schedules. The Packers, meanwhile, have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL after winning every game they were supposed to last year but failing to notch a single quality win, something I believe will change this season. With key additions in free agency, a retained core, and a historically young roster still ascending, Green Bay should win the NFC North.

Stephen Sears (SS): Eagles (1), Lions (2), Rams (3), Buccaneers (4), 49ers (5), Bears (6), Packers (7)

I believe the NFC is set up to be a 2-horse race at the top with the Eagles and Lions leading the pack. Speaking of the pack, I’m probably the lowest here on the Packers, but I do believe that they have all the potential to take that next step and win the NFC North. I just don’t fully buy into their offense and think the rest of that division is so strong they’ll end up taking some hits to the record. However, I think the Bears are poised to make a big jump this season with Caleb Williams having a bounce-back season and Ben Johnson steadying that ship. The Commanders just missed out after a “sophomore slump” type of year from an organization that exceeded everyone’s expectations last season.

Seeding Prediction - AFC Playoff Picture

DJ: Ravens (1), Broncos (2), Bills (3), Texans (4), Chiefs (5), Bengals (6), Chargers (7)

I think the Denver Broncos have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL - and the most talented defense by a significant margin. Combine that with an offense led by Sean Payton, and I think the Broncos are in a spot to really make a run. I really thought about the last two seeds in the AFC, but I just don’t think any of Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, New England, or Vegas are close enough to these two teams.

JL: Ravens (1), Bills (2), Broncos (3), Texans (4), Chiefs (5), Steelers (6), Bengals (7)

For the first time in a long time, I am compelled to think that the Chiefs aren't the de facto favorites in their own division. The Broncos may have the best roster in the NFL outside of the QB position, and Sean Payton's team looks to be fully loaded. The AFC North and AFC West both have multiple teams here for me. With the last two Wild Card spots, I think the Steelers, with a presumed upgrade at QB, will work themselves into a lot of regular-season wins, like they always do. As for the Bengals, they have to go all out this season if Zac Taylor wants his job to be safe. I think that if a few more plays go their way (a tall ask with that defense, I know), this is a team that can sneak into that seventh spot.

CG: Ravens (1), Bills (2), Chiefs (3), Jaguars (4), Bengals (5), Chargers (6), Texans (7)

In the AFC, I have the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and Jaguars winning their divisions. I expect Jacksonville’s offense to hit its stride with the addition of Travis Hunter. In the fifth seed, the Bengals return to the playoffs behind a monster year from Ja’Marr Chase. At six, the Chargers lean on a strong ground game and keep pace with the Chiefs in the AFC West. Finally, the Texans sneak into the postseason, powered by a healthy C.J. Stroud and Nico Williams.

AG: Ravens (1), Bills (2), Chiefs (3), Texans (4), Chargers (5), Patriots (6), Jaguars (7)

I was super high on the Chargers this year before the Rashawn Slater injury news - with Ladd McConkey ready to take the reins as the alpha pass-catcher to go with support in the run game with Hampton and Harris, I thought this could be the year that Justin Herbert turned theory into practice, at least as a regular-season performer. Slater is a huge loss, though, so I've dampened those expectations a little bit. Jacksonville sneaks into the playoff picture as well, thanks to a laughable division and Trevor Lawrence elevating his play in what feels like his last make-or-break year.

EC: Ravens (1), Bills (2), Chiefs (3), Texans (4), Broncos (5), Bengals (6), Chargers (7)

For the AFC, my predicted seeding is the Ravens at No. 1, followed by the Bills at No. 2, the Chiefs at No. 3, the Texans at No. 4, Denver at No. 5, the Bengals at No. 6 and the Chargers at No. 7. This is pretty chalk and fairly easy to see happening because of division races.

SS: Ravens (1), Bills (2), Chiefs (3), Texans (4), Broncos (5), Chargers (6), Bengals (7)

I’ve got the Big 3 keeping their places at the top of the AFC. If one were to lose that spot, I would expect it to be the Chiefs in a loaded AFC West division. The Broncos are legit good, and my only question is if Bo Nix is also legit good. I thought long and hard about Jacksonville or Pittsburgh sneaking into that 7th seed but the offensive power that the Bengals bring to the table is just too much to pass up on.

Super Bowl Prediction

Leaders: Baltimore Ravens (5), Philadelphia Eagles (1)

DJ: Baltimore Ravens 35, Green Bay Packers 31, SB MVP Lamar Jackson

I just think the Ravens are too good not to win it at some point, right? Lamar Jackson, in my opinion, should have won MVP last year - this team has a top-2 running attack in the league, an incredible defense, and should finish with no less than 12 wins this season. I also believe the Packers are in line for a pretty massive season. Jordan Love is a game-winning quarterback. I love the addition of Matthew Golden in that offense, and I think the defense has more than enough talent to compete for a title.

JL: Baltimore Ravens 34, Detroit Lions 24, SB MVP Lamar Jackson

For the AFC team, it came down to the Ravens and the Bills. Both teams are the favorites in the AFC, and while both teams have fallen to the Chiefs in recent years, I think the rosters for Buffalo and Baltimore are far superior to that of Kansas City's this season. I chose Baltimore because Lamar Jackson is the best player in the league. He was the best quarterback last season, and the Ravens were on the cusp of beating Baltimore in Buffalo, despite a poor game from the entire team. For the NFC team, it came down to San Francisco and Detroit, two teams that met in the NFC Championship game in the 2023 season. I think that, despite losing so many coaches, the Detroit Lions have a strong roster that won 15 games last season while enduring an inordinate amount of injuries. If you balance the brain drain with positive health regression, the Lions are still one of the top teams in the league. As far as the Super Bowl matchup goes, it comes down to Lamar Jackson being a better quarterback and playmaker than Jared Goff. With two strong rosters, Jackson will just make more plays, bringing his team the win.

CG: Baltimore Ravens 37, Philadelphia Eagles 34, SB MVP Lamar Jackson

I’m picking Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to win the Super Bowl, edging the Eagles 37–34 in a thriller. Philadelphia will be dominant once again and enter the game looking to repeat, but this time, Lamar delivers a string of special playoff performances, capping it off with a championship. In this scenario, Jackson takes home Super Bowl MVP honors.

AG: Baltimore Ravens 29, Detroit Lions 22, SB MVP Lamar Jackson

He was playing well enough to be a championship winner and SB MVP last year and just didn't get a couple of bounces -- I think this window is still open and the ball bounces a little more favorably this time for the Ravens. I picked the Lions for the other side -- I don't know if it's harder to make the Super Bowl in back-to-back years or to make it with brand-new coordinators on both sides of the ball, but it'd be more exciting if Detroit made it, so I'm going with them. That newness of the coordinating staff will hold them back from winning it all, though.

EC: Baltimore Ravens 33, Philadelphia Eagles 28, SB MVP Lamar Jackson

I think Baltimore is due — they have one of the best rosters I’ve seen in recent years, and everything lines up for this to finally be their season.

SS: Philadelphia Eagles 28, Buffalo Bills 24, SB MVP Saquon Barkley

I actually picked the Ravens to win it all, but we can’t have them sweep this category on our first installment, so I’ll be the one to switch it up. I’ll go with Philly repeating, but this time they do it against Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills. I hope this doesn’t happen, so I won’t be going into any more detail.

Protector of the Year

Leaders: Penei Sewell (4), Lane Johnson (2)

DJ: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Lane Johnson has been one of the best tackles in football since he entered the NFL. I think at least early on, the “Protector of the Year” will be somewhat of a legacy award with how new it is, which makes me favor Johnson over Penei Sewell.

JL: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

With this being a brand-new award, there isn't much precedence to go off of. Penei Sewell is one of, if not the best tackle in the NFL at the moment. If Detroit makes the playoffs and makes a deep run, Sewell will have played an important role in doing so. With the Lions entire interior offensive line shuffling this offseason as well, Sewell will provide the stability necessary to keep this unit at the top of the league, ultimately earning him the award.

CG: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

I’m going with the safe pick and projecting Penei Sewell to win Protector of the Year. He owns one of the league’s top run-blocking grades and has earned First-Team All-Pro honors in each of the past two seasons. I expect another standout year from him.

AG: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

Penei Sewell is the best offensive lineman in football; I think that's pretty uncontroversial. I don't think he's a lock to win because the competition is pretty fierce, but I don't have a reason to pick against the likely betting favorite.

EC: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

My pick for Protector of the Year is Lane Johnson. For over a decade, he’s anchored Philadelphia’s line with the kind of consistency that rarely gets noticed but always wins games. While Jason Kelce and Jason Peters grabbed most of the spotlight, Johnson quietly put together a Hall of Fame resume, becoming one of only a handful of tackles in NFL history with six Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro nods, and three Super Bowl starts. Since 2019, he’s allowed just five sacks in more than 3,000 pass-blocking snaps — the kind of reliability that makes him the best right tackle in football.

SS: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

The best offensive lineman in the league. If the Lions are good again, Sewell will be a big reason why. I’ll back him to be the first player to win this award.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Leaders: Ashton Jeanty (3), Tetairoa McMillan (2), Cam Ward (1)

DJ: Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

I think Cam Ward could be really good. As a rookie, I’m unsure about the offensive skill talent that surrounds him, but I believe in Ward’s talent and the Titans offensive line. Maybe a league-average stat line at quarterback won’t be enough to beat whatever Ashton Jeanty does in Vegas, but I think Ward will do just enough to win this award.

JL: Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

This is probably a boring pick, but Jeanty was electric at the college level, landing as the runner-up in a contested Heisman race. He proved in college that no matter what defensive line was in front of him, that he was going to get his. Now at the NFL level, Jeanty lands in a spot with a veteran quarterback and an organization committed to running the ball; he has a green light to continue to rack up raw stats. At the end of the day, stats matter more than wins for these awards, and with the quarterback class lacking the firepower of years past, I will go with the star running back.

Chandler: Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

Another chalk pick, but I’m going with Ashton Jeanty for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s in an ideal situation with the Raiders to see plenty of snaps, and I expect him to top 1,000 rushing yards—more than enough to lock up the award.

AG: Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

The last two non-quarterback OROYs have been wide receivers, and this class looks like it's going to be near the levels of the historic '22 and '21 classes, while the quarterback class, with no disrespect to Cam Ward, doesn't look like it'll turn out a Stroud- or Daniels-like rookie season. Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan, and Emeka Egbuka all look to me to be leading the pack, and McMillan has the least fierce competition for targets among the three of them. As a bonus, I get to wear some homer goggles while making the pick.

EC: Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

My pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year is Ashton Jeanty. From the moment he stepped on the field as a teenager in Italy, it was obvious he was different, and that same mix of power and explosiveness carried him through high school, Boise State, and now to Las Vegas. The Raiders made him the sixth overall pick for a reason — they need someone to jolt the league’s worst rushing attack, and Jeanty is built for that workload. He’s walked into camp as the unquestioned starter, and with Pete Carroll intent on building around a run-heavy identity, the touches will be there from day one.

SS: Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

I was between McMillan and Jeanty for this pick. I like Cam Ward, but I think the impact that Jeanty and McMillan will have as rookies will surpass what happens in Tennessee. I’m going to lean McMillan because 1. I am allowed to get a homer pick in here, and 2. he is going to be the focal point of a passing attack that is hoping to take a huge step. If successful, he’ll produce big numbers for a rookie and have Carolina making a lot of noise.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Leaders: Abdul Carter (5), Mykel Williams (1)

DJ: Abdul Carter, New York Giants

Abdul Carter is one of my favorite EDGE prospects coming out of the draft in a very long time. I think he’s playing alongside an incredibly talented defensive line to the point where Carter is going to be able to take advantage of so many matchups. It’s a dream scenario for him. I see no issues with him reaching 10+ sacks as a rookie.

JL: Abdul Carter, New York Giants

This is another chalk pick, but for good reason. Of all the high-profile defenders drafted, Carter lands in one of the most favorable situations. Opposite him sits a Pro Bowl level player in Brian Burns, who will command attention. In the middle of his line sits Dexter Lawrence, who not only is the best nose tackle in the NFL but also excels at rushing the passer from that position. With multiple players around him that must account for at least 1.5 blockers, Carter has an easy runway to collecting a high number of sacks in his rookie season. Like with Jeanty, these awards are more about stats than wins, so the opportunity to collect a high number of sacks as a high-profile player lands Carter the award.

CG: Mykel Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Building on my pick for the 49ers to reclaim their division title, I expect Mykel Williams to play a major role in that success. Assuming the reports are correct and his injury isn’t serious, his physical talent and potential make him a future top defensive end. I believe he’ll have a standout rookie year and emerge as a frontrunner for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

AG: Abdul Carter, New York Giants

I'm a little hesitant to go with Abdul Carter here because he's going to have to rotate with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on that Giants defensive line, but DROYs have routinely been edge rushers for the past few years and I'm not comfortable projecting double-digit sacks g any of the guys who were picked after Carter in the draft to outperform him. His pathway to getting the award is likely more as a pass-rush specialist who hits 9-11 sacks rather than the more all-around dominance of Jared Verse last year.

EC: Abdul Carter, New York Giants

The former Penn State star enters the league with freakish pass-rush numbers — his win rate on true pass sets last season topped what Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and even Micah Parsons managed in college. Now he steps into a Giants front that already features Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence, giving him the chance to wreak havoc without drawing constant double teams. Few rookies walk into a situation this perfect, and with his talent and supporting cast, Carter is set up to be a problem from his first pro game.

SS: Abdul Carter, New York Giants

Chalk but the situation is just too perfect for Carter. The best pass rusher in this year’s draft class is going to be playing alongside Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence. He’s going to be put into some very favorable opportunities that will allow him to do what he does best. You can’t double-team all of those guys.

Offensive Player of the Year

Leaders: Jahmyr Gibbs (3), Ja’Marr Chase (2), Bijan Robinson (1)

DJ: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs was already incredible last year - but with a new offensive coordinator that will likely use him even more than before, I am hesitant to say any skill player will have more yards or touchdowns than Gibbs in 2025. He’s a special talent who is one of the most dynamic players I’ve ever seen, and should be in line for an All-Pro season.

JL: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons offense already was a sneakily good unit last season, and that was with Kirk Cousins throwing up ducks and Michael Penix still adjusting to the speed of the league. With a presumed upgrade at quarterback going into this season, Atlanta will look to take the lead and run the ball more, which will get Robinson his stats. Robinson is also more than adept at catching the ball, allowing him to rack up receiving yards and touchdowns as well. If he can get close to the 2000 scrimmage yard mark, Robinson has a good chance at taking home the award.

CG: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

I’m picking Jahmyr Gibbs to take home Offensive Player of the Year. With an increased workload and more snaps over David Montgomery, I expect him to surpass 1,000 rushing yards again and find the end zone 15-plus times, putting him in a prime position to secure the award.

AG: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

If I'm going to pick the Lions to secure the NFC's #2 seed and make the Super Bowl, Jahmyr Gibbs is going to be the engine behind it. He netted nearly 2000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns last year. Most of the time, that would have been enough for at least token consideration for OPOY, but he was overshadowed by Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley. I suspect that quarterback play will be a little more prominent this year for both of those guys' teams this year and stop them from repeating those numbers, but Gibbs is on an upward trajectory. I think he crosses that 2,000-yard mark from scrimmage and stakes his claim as one of the actual best backs in the league.

EC: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

My pick for Offensive Player of the Year is Ja’Marr Chase. He’s stepping into the season with the same elite quarterback, the same proven chemistry, and the same ability to overwhelm defenses that made him one of the league’s most dominant receivers. With Tee Higgins still pulling coverage on the other side and a shaky Bengals defense likely forcing Cincinnati into shootouts, Chase should see plenty of volume and big-play chances. Unlike some of his competition, there are no real questions about health, quarterback play, or role. Everything is in place for him to put up the massive numbers needed to win OPOY.

SS: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase is primed to have another incredible year. Coming off a triple-crown season, I expect him to keep the momentum going. Considering he didn’t win last year with what he did, it will be hard, very hard. But I’m giving him something.

Defensive Player of the Year

Leaders: Myles Garrett (2), Will Anderson (1), Micah Parsons (1), Jared Verse (1), Jalen Carter (1)

DJ: Will Anderson, Houston Texans

Will Anderson really came into his own last year, and I expect him to take another step this year. Opposite Danielle Hunter, I think Anderson should be able to take advantage of lesser matchups, potentially racking up near-20 sacks.

Anderson already had 11 sacks last season in only 14 games - I think he could take a similar step that Aidan Hutchinson did in 2024, before his injury.

JL: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

We all know how the contract standoff will go - the Cowboys will make Parsons the highest-paid player on the eve of the season-opener, and he'll be newly-paid and ready to wreak havoc. A full year of Parsons being healthy is part of the equation here, but Parsons is one of the most dynamic defenders in the entire league. If the Cowboys hit over .500 this season, Parsons’ defensive production will be a huge part of the reason why. Look for Parsons to have 15 or more sacks and bring home the award.

CG: Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Carter was recently voted the NFL’s third-best defensive tackle in a coaches’ poll, and I believe he’s poised for his best season yet in year three. With his continued development, I expect him to boost his sack and tackle numbers this season, putting him in a prime position to secure the award.

AG: Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm going to say Jared Verse builds on his DROY campaign from last year and has a monster season. The only thing he didn't have last year was explosive sack numbers, as he anchored a strong defensive line that should have taken a much bigger step back after losing Aaron Donald. With a full season under his belt, I'm betting on him having gained that finishing gear this year. If he does everything he did last year and can improve his sack count to 10+, he'll be right up there with the Watts and Parsons' and Garretts of the league.

EC: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

As rough as things might get for the Browns this season, their defense won’t be the problem — especially up front. Garrett is the best defensive player in the sport, and he looks primed for a monster year. He’ll have to be that dominant if Cleveland wants to win more than a handful of games, and I think he delivers the kind of season that makes him impossible to ignore for this award.

SS: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

I think Myles Garrett is the best player on the defensive side of the ball and that he should have won this award last season. I expect him to once again cause havoc all season long. The Browns won’t be good, which might hold him back, but this is an individual award, so I’m giving him his flowers.

Comeback Player of the Year

Leaders: Christian McCaffrey (3), Dak Prescott (2), Derrick Brown (1)

DJ: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

I feel more confident in this prediction than any other single prediction I’ve made in this piece. Dak Prescott will have the full narrative behind him as he returns to play for Dallas this season. I expect the Cowboys to be one of the top offenses in the league with an elite OL unit and two great receivers. If Prescott makes a Pro Bowl appearance (which, let’s face it, he will), I think he will be the favorite come January.

JL: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

Comeback Player of the Year is always a tricky award. With no major quarterback options outside of JJ McCarthy, who is essentially a rookie, I'm going with CMC, one of the most dynamic players with the ball in his hands. With McCaffrey healthy in 2023, the 49ers were setting records for offensive efficiency. If the 49ers are as successful as I think they'll be in 2025, CMC will have to have an award-worthy season.

CG: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

After last season’s injury, I expect Dak Prescott to bounce back strong and deliver a season comparable to his standout 2023 performance. With the Cowboys making the playoffs and having a solid year, Dak will be a crucial part of that success. I believe he’s poised to win the Comeback Player of the Year award.

AG: Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers

I'm actually stunned that Derrick Brown doesn't even have listed odds for CPOY. He was a borderline top-30 player going into last season, and he figures to do a lot more for his team upon his return than most of the guys I see listed as favorites or even long shots. The Panthers had one of the worst run defenses in league history last year, and it all stemmed from not having Brown as an enforcer up the middle. Early returns are that the Panthers' run defense has been much more competitive. If they have the season I've projected them to have, Brown is going to be a huge and hugely visible part of it.

EC: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

My pick for Comeback Player of the Year is Christian McCaffrey. After missing nearly all of last season with Achilles and knee injuries, he looks fully healthy again and has been one of the most consistent performers in 49ers camp. Just two years ago, he was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year after piling up more than 2,000 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns, and the early signs suggest he’s back in that form. San Francisco’s offense transforms when he’s on the field, and if he plays a full season, his impact will be undeniable.

SS: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

We cannot forget what CMC brings to the football field. I have the 49ers going to the playoffs, and if that happens, it will be because CMC has put together another incredible year. If he’s healthy, I think this is an easy pick to win the award.

Coach of the Year

Leaders: Matt LaFleur (2), Jonathan Gannon (1), Dave Canales (1), Kyle Shanahan (1), Ben Johnson (1)

DJ: Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers

Based on my playoff seeding predictions, this award would basically have to go to either LaFleur or Sean Payton - and my personal biases refuse to give Payton any credit. Regardless, the Packers overperform relative to expectations for me, and I think LaFleur’s offensive system, how he gets the most of his players, and his staffing choice defensively will lead Green Bay to a very high seed in 2025.

JL: Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals

The Coach of the Year award over the last decade or so hasn't necessarily gone to the best coach or the coach of the best team, but rather the coach who leads a team to an unexpected number of wins. As I laid out in my scenario above regarding the playoff seeding, I think there is a good chance that the Cardinals can rattle off double-digit wins in 2025. If that's the case, it will be because of the defensive improvement which has been overseen by Gannon.

CG: Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers

Along with my prediction for the 49ers to finish second in the NFC, I believe it’s time for Kyle Shanahan to win NFL Coach of the Year. He’s been a finalist multiple times, and with the 49ers returning to elite status, Shanahan has a strong case to finally claim the award.

AG: Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers

Coach of the Year picks are total crapshoots, but if the Panthers, with a win O/U at 6.5, can eke out the winning record I'm projecting, it'll be hard not to give Canales the award for overachieving.

EC: Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers

I think the Packers are going to finish as one of the top seeds in the NFC, and this award often goes to the coach of a team that overachieves without a clear top-five quarterback. Jordan Love may take another step forward this season, but the recognition would also serve as an acknowledgment of LaFleur’s steady hand and ability to get the most out of this offense and roster.

SS: Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears

This award usually goes to the coach of the team that exceeds everyone’s expectations. I have the Bears in the playoffs, and that’s really the only surprise team in there, so I’m going to go with Johnson to take home this award. Saving Caleb Williams and making the Bears, who looked pitiful at times last year, a playoff squad will make him a deserving winner.

Most Valuable Player

Leaders: Lamar Jackson (4), Joe Burrow (1), Justin Herbert (1)

DJ: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Yeah, man, he’s the one. Lamar Jackson is very quickly approaching “best-I’ve-ever-seen” territory - his pocket management might be the single-best trait for any quarterback in the league right now. Jackson is explosive, turnover-averse, and I think he will lead the Ravens to the first seed in the AFC. This was an easy pick to make.

JL: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

This is probably the least likely of all my picks, but if the Bengals are to be any better than they were last year, Joe Burrow will have to go above and beyond. Because I laid out the scenario of the Bengals making the playoffs, I expect this to happen. Burrow already was putting up MVP-caliber stats last season; the team just fell short of the playoffs in the end, which, let's be fair, takes you out of contention for the award. If the Bengals can make the playoffs, I think Burrow will be in heavy consideration, and given how some voters didn't want to give Jackson another MVP despite his performance, I think they'll look to give it to the new guy in the clubhouse: Joe Burrow.

CG: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

I believe Lamar Jackson was deserving of NFL MVP honors last season and will remain one of the league’s best quarterbacks. With my prediction of the Ravens winning the Super Bowl and Lamar taking home Super Bowl MVP, it only makes sense to have him as league MVP as well.

AG: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

This pick was stronger before the Slater injury, but let's get a little weird and do it anyway: Justin Herbert finally has the insulation he needs to be the surgeon he's supposed to be and puts up a Joe Burrow-like season with the help of a fully unleashed Ladd McConkey and a supportive run game. Maybe some voter fatigue against the trio of Allen/Mahomes/Jackson being so much better than everybody else will help, too.

EC: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

I’m rolling with Lamar Jackson for MVP. If the Ravens get through a brutal stretch that includes the Chiefs, Bills, Lions, Rams, Texans, and Dolphins, a lot of them on the road, it’s hard to see anyone else taking it. Baltimore has the roster, the coaching, and a quarterback in his prime who looked every bit like an MVP last season, even if the voters didn’t give it to him. If he cleans up blitz reads and the Ravens avoid sloppy penalties, this team should win at least 13 games — and if that happens, Jackson’s getting the award.

SS: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson delivered one of, maybe THE greatest statistical season from a quarterback that I think I have ever seen. All due respect to the year that Josh Allen put together, but Jackson should have won that MVP award. This year, I have the Ravens as the 1 seed in the AFC, meaning Jackson has done it again, and this time, he gets his award.

Individual Predictions

Below is a chart for every contributor in this article who made predictions.