The Raiders-Broncos matchup on Thursday evening marked the commencement of Week 10, officially placing us past the halfway mark of the 2025 NFL season. After completing nine weeks, the Colts, Patriots, and Broncos astonishingly found themselves tied for the best record in the AFC, although Denver’s latest victory secured their lead. Concurrently, the Buccaneers, Eagles, and Seahawks are at the forefront of the NFC. However, the second half of the season holds significant potential for change.
Therefore, we reached out to 15 of our NFL analysts for their insights on the upcoming half of the season. Which teams will clinch their divisions and advance deep into the playoffs? Which might find themselves vying for the Super Bowl? Who’s stepping forward in the race for the league’s awards? Is there a possibility for a record-breaking performance? Moreover, how will these developments influence the 2026 NFL draft hierarchy?
Let’s forecast the remainder of the season, beginning with our predictions for the divisional races.
Jump to:
AFC | NFC | Award winners
Record-breakers | NFL draft
Analyzing the AFC races
Denver Broncos poised to win the AFC West
Fueled by an impressive defensive lineup, the Broncos are set to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West. Kansas City, having won nine straight division titles—including seven since Patrick Mahomes took the helm as quarterback—faces stiff competition. The Patriots own the record for the most consecutive division titles, securing 11 straight AFC East championships from 2009 to 2019. — Jason Reid, senior Andscape writer
Kansas City Chiefs will claim the AFC West
Currently trailing the Broncos by two and a half games, the Chiefs still have two matchups left against them. Following a subpar outing from Mahomes in a loss against the Bills (where he completed merely 15 of 34 passes), the Chiefs are expected to regain form with the return of offensive tackle Josh Simmons and the increasing comfort of wide receiver Rashee Rice within the scheme. Although Denver’s defense is strong, their offense is lacking. The Chargers are contenders in the AFC West, but injuries could hinder their chances as the season progresses. — Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst
Baltimore Ravens will take the AFC North
Despite a rocky 1-5 start, the Ravens are positioned to surge back to the top of a competitive division, likely landing them against the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s defense showed strength in their Week 9 win against Indianapolis, but maintaining such performance week in and week out may prove challenging. Baltimore’s margin for error is slim; however, with two critical games against Pittsburgh and four against teams presently under .500, I foresee a revival. — Field Yates, NFL analyst
Buffalo Bills unlikely to win the AFC East
Though Buffalo is the current favorite to capture the division at -165 (ESPN BET), New England is at +135—albeit the Patriots are leading the standings. This indicates a market expectation for Buffalo’s regression. Last season, the Bills secured 13 victories driven by extraordinary turnover and injury luck, both of which are normalizing this year. They face a tough schedule ahead, with five games against well-rested teams, as well as challenging away games in Houston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New England. Even if they excel, they could fall short of lofty expectations. — Pamela Maldonado, NFL betting analyst
Insights into the NFC
Tampa Bay Buccaneers eyeing the Super Bowl
Unassumingly sitting at 6-2, the Bucs are battling injuries akin to the 49ers, yet remain under the radar. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, despite playing without a fully healthy offensive line and receiving corps, showcased MVP-caliber performance just weeks ago. Furthermore, the Buccaneers boast a strong defensive presence, ranking in the top tier for defensive efficiency and expected points added. They are positioned to secure their fifth consecutive AFC South title, and as the team regains health, they’ll become a formidable playoff contender. — Dan Graziano, national NFL reporter
Los Angeles Rams aiming for the Super Bowl
While the Rams have kept a low profile this season, their 6-2 record sets them up well for a strong finish. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s synergy with rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, combined with his emerging connection with Davante Adams, makes their offense a significant threat. Recent performances show that Stafford and Adams have combined for five touchdowns in the past two games. — Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter
0:30
Orlovsky: Matthew Stafford is NFL’s best thrower right now
Dan Orlovsky and Will Compton discuss quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ passing game.
Potential award winners
Matthew Stafford favored for MVP
After throwing four touchdown passes against the Saints, Stafford joined the ranks of Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Aaron Rodgers as one of the few quarterbacks with at least 20 touchdown passes and under two interceptions in their team’s initial eight games, as noted by ESPN Research. Brady and Rodgers went on to claim the MVP title in their respective seasons. — Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst
I concur with Orlovsky. It’s remarkable that Stafford has never positioned better than eighth in MVP voting. Although he possesses credibility within the industry, public perception may not align. This season is transforming into a standout year for the seasoned pro, projected to surpass 4,500 yards, leading a versatile Rams offense capable of success via both running and passing. The NFC playoff race is highly competitive, and this appears to be his opportunity. — Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter
Offensive Player of the Year contender: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Leading the league with an impressive 118.5 receiving yards per game, Smith-Njigba’s involvement in Klint Kubiak’s offense is consistent (averaging 10.0 targets per game). His acute route-running ability enables him to create separation effectively. While he might need to increase his touchdown tally (currently at four) to remain OPOY competitive against Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (14 touchdowns), his receiving performance remains strong enough to position himself well over the season’s latter half. — Matt Bowen, NFL analyst
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Myles Garrett as the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year
Garrett maintains an impressive history, including eight consecutive seasons achieving double-digit sacks, yet he has never topped the sack leaderboard in a single season. Notably, during his Defensive Player of the Year win in 2023, he was tied for seventh in sacks. Thus, he does not need to lead to secure a second DPOY accolade; however, he’s on track with 10.0 sacks already this season.
Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that he’s performing admirably even while on a struggling team, as accumulating sacks can be more challenging when trailing. His advanced metrics are equally impressive, ranking fourth in pass rush win rate and eighth in run stop win rate among edge rushers. — Seth Walder, NFL analyst
Shane Steichen: Coach of the Year candidate
The Giants were quick to part ways with quarterback Daniel Jones, yet Steichen has embraced Jones over Anthony Richardson Sr. As a result, the Colts boast the top scoring offense with 32.2 points per game, while Jones is in contention for Comeback Player of the Year with a 70% completion rate. I predict the Colts are poised for at least 12 wins and will host a playoff game. With cornerback Sauce Gardner joining the ranks, it’s not far-fetched to envision Indy contending for both the AFC championship and the Super Bowl. #IndianaJones. — Anita Marks, sports betting and fantasy football analyst
Mike Vrabel: Another Coach of the Year contender
In his inaugural season as head coach of the franchise that elevated him to fame as a player, Vrabel has the Patriots vying for the AFC East title, despite steering a young roster that’s highlighted by second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots, currently at the summit of their division with a 7-2 record, felt confident enough to trade defensive end Keion White and safety Kyle Dugger for draft stock. A swift turnaround for New England would secure Vrabel an earned postseason accolade. — Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst
1:01
Why Will Compton is backing Drake Maye for NFL MVP
Will Compton explains why he believes Drake Maye will be named MVP and why his stats stack up with Aaron Rodgers’, Tom Brady’s and Peyton Manning’s.
Potential record-breaking events
Christian McCaffrey may surpass Marshall Faulk’s single-season receiving yard record for running backs
Faulk’s record of 1,048 receiving yards for the «Greatest Show on Turf» Rams in 1999 is at risk as McCaffrey currently sits at 626 receiving yards, translating to 1,182 yards for a complete 17-game season. With injuries plaguing San Francisco, McCaffrey’s role in the offense has intensified, boasting a personal-best average of 10.3 yards per reception. As the 49ers likely strive for playoff positioning until the season’s concluding week, I anticipate McCaffrey maintaining his momentum, consistently recording 69.6 receiving yards per game. With around 55.0 receiving the rest of the way, he should comfortably exceed the record. — Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst
Cam Little’s 68-yard field goal record is at risk
There’s a strong likelihood that someone—possibly Little, who has already accomplished this during the preseason—will set a new record with a 70-yard field goal, outpacing his recent achievement. The alterations regarding kickoffs (touchback moved to the 35-yard line, boosting kickoff returns) and the advancements in kicker accuracy are resulting in shorter offensive fields than before.
This year, the new «K-ball» regulations have instilled confidence in kickers, allowing them to practice with game balls and ensuring optimal break-in time. Bengals’ kicker Evan McPherson noted that he feels capable of achieving ten additional yards on kicks due to the improved quality of the balls. The significance of kickers is set to grow exponentially. — Kalyn Kahler, senior NFL reporter
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2026 NFL draft preview
Atlanta Falcons to yield a top-eight pick for the Rams
After a four-year streak of drafting within the top eight selections spanning from 2021 to 2024, the Falcons might be on course to repeat that trend. Currently on a three-game losing streak, their upcoming matchups against the Colts and Panthers pose challenges. Given that the Colts are formidable, and the Panthers recently triumphed twice over the Falcons, a drop to 3-7 could trigger a crisis for Atlanta’s management, particularly with a promising yet inexperienced offense. Additionally, Atlanta will face two games against the Saints and one versus the Jets, raising the stakes for securing a top-eight pick, which would be disastrous.
Importantly, this pick belongs to the Rams as part of the trade-up to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. last April. — Ben Solak, NFL analyst
