Can the Baltimore Ravens finally break through? In Lamar Jackson's tenure, they have made the playoffs every year but one, while only reaching the conference championship one time. The Ravens have not been to the Super Bowl since 2012, but head into the 2025 season with championship aspirations firmly in sight.
Coming off a 12-5 campaign, they enter the year with a projected win total of 11.5, fitting for a team that dominated statistically on both sides of the ball. They led the NFL in offensive yards per play (6.8) and ranked top five defensively (5.2 YPP), which displays a complete roster.
One of Baltimore’s biggest advantages is continuity. Head coach John Harbaugh returns alongside offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Zach Orr, preserving the schemes and systems that powered last season’s success. The team also reinforced an already strong defense through the draft, adding standout safety Malaki Starks, disruptive lineman Mike Green, and athletic linebacker Teddye Buchanan. Paired with rising star Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens' safety tandem is arguably among the NFL's elite.
While Baltimore faces the league’s 12th-toughest schedule, including the AFC East and NFC North, they’ve proven capable of handling adversity. Road trips to Minnesota, Green Bay on a short week, and division matchups at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh will test this aging roster.
Of course, everything hinges on Lamar Jackson’s health. When Jackson has played full seasons, the Ravens have gone 13-2, 11-4, 13-3, and 12-5, which is evidence of how high their ceiling is with him under center. His dual-threat ability, combined with a well-rounded offense and elite defensive pieces, has many analysts bullish on the Ravens surpassing their win total and making a deep postseason run.
The Bengals are easily one of the most polarizing teams heading into 2025. Their win total is lined at 9.5 and their offense is loaded behind Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and an undervalued Chase Brown. Burrow, Chase, and Higgins have all secured big contracts, looking to keep continuity with one of the best groups in the NFL.
This defense remains a large concern. Cincinnati went 9-8 last season, needing a five-game win streak to close the year after falling to 4-8. They set an NFL record, losing four games where they scored 33+ points. The defense was the worst in Joe Burrow’s tenure, and it must improve in numerous areas to give this offense a better chance.
They drafted edge rusher Shemar Stewart at 17th overall and brought back a new defensive coordinator, Al Golden, from Notre Dame. However, star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is holding out, and there have been no signs of an agreement coming. Roster depth is another issue for them, and if they do not have at least Stewart, it could be trouble. If somehow, they can get Stewart and Hendrickson under contract, QBs watch out!
Burrow is 1-9 in Weeks 1-2 as a starter, showing the slow starts this team is typically prone to having. Outside of their first two games, they have a very tough schedule in 2025. I believe they will improve on the defensive end, especially if they can get one of those guys in the building we discussed. The Bengals have won 9 in back-to-back years now. Before that, under Burrow, they won the division with 12 and 10 wins. They are due to have a better season.
The Browns are in trouble. After going 3-14 in 2024, they enter the 2025 season with a projected win total between 4.5 and 5.5. Their -22 turnover margin, roster mismanagement, and instability at the league's most important position could bring another terrible season. Some sources label them as having the second-toughest schedule based on opponent over/under win totals.
The Browns have always had a solid and respectable defense and rushing attack, but offensive issues remain a huge issue. They have youth at two very important positions, QB and RB, and they have one of the worst groups of WR in the NFL. They ranked 31st in yards per play last year, and I don’t expect to see much improvement there.
I do not think new OC Tommy Rees and DC Jim Schwartz will be enough to turn things around without better players. Their defense still ranks highly with Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, and the addition of DT Mason Graham, but I just don’t know how they move the ball with much consistent success.
To add to their offensive woes, they also face a brutal start to the season against CIN, BAL, GB, DET, and MIN. This team could start the season 0-7 before they see the New England Patriots, and that game is on the road, which is no guarantee.
Aaron Rodgers, welcome to Pittsburgh! In my opinion, the Steelers dominated the headlines all offseason. From draft day passing on Shedeur Sanders, rumors of Aaron Rodgers joining the team, to high-profile moves bringing in DK Metcalf and shipping off problem child George Pickens. I love what the Steelers did this offseason, and they are never a team to lay down behind Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers have a projected win total of 8.5, a number they’ve exceeded for five straight years. With Aaron Rodgers in the mix, the team added DK Metcalf, and bolstering the offensive line with Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, their offense could be much improved and, more importantly, more consistent!
They also improved their already strong defense with Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. TJ Watt returns after a massive payday, and kicker Chris Boswell made 13 field goals of 50+ yards last year. We also must remember that Head Coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season.
The start of the schedule is very soft with games against NYJ, SEA, NE, CLE, and IND, giving them momentum. Many sources like the Steelers to win double digits and while I am not that optimistic, I love + money for over 8.5. With this defense and a QB who can manage games without turning the ball over, they can go 10-7 or 11-6 if enough good breaks happen. This is a Mike Tomlin-led team; we cannot forget that.
Cashed in 2021 and 2022, and he had 908 in 2020 and 911 last season. Burrows is projected to have the most passing yards again, and if Higgins plays more than 12 games this season, he should surpass 75 receptions for the first time and 110 targets for the second time.
Chase had an amazing season last year, with 1,700 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, and I expect some regression back down to 1,400-1,500 and the ball to find Higgins a few more times!
Cashed last season on 74 receptions and 116 targets for 14.4 yards/rec avg, which was 3 yards more than his 11 he averaged in 2023, which he had 858 receiving yards. The addition of Henry pulls defenses in which helps Flowers find more space to run and avoid defenders.
He's played 16 and 17 games in the last 2 seasons, so he has shown to be durable. With teams looking to stop Henry and Andrews/Likely at the TE position, Flowers could see another 110+ targets and 70-80 receptions. He and Lamar have a very solid connection, as we saw last year.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said that running back Chase Brown will be a focal point on offense. They know they cannot sit back and pass it 5,000 times, with Burrow and Brown being able to prove themselves worthy last season.
Brown broke out in his second year in the NFL with 990 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 229 carries in 16 games (10 starts). He also added 54 receptions on 65 targets for 360 yards and four more touchdowns in the passing game.
Brown will be the top back in 2025 in one of the best offenses in football. With more starts this season, I expect volume to increase slightly more than last year.
TJ cashed this in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023, now he's due in 2025 to cash this every other season since 2021. With the resurgence of Rogers and Metcalf in the building, I expect Watt to crank it up even more.
The addition of Derrick Harmon will help keep pressure off him, as Harmon can be a disruptive force on the defensive line. Everyone is projecting his decline this season, but I think he knows people are doubting him, and I guarantee he will not waste his possible 1 season with Aaron Rodgers!
15+ sacks at +200 is a good look, this could be another great year for him, but he has only touched that 3 of 8 seasons in his career.
I have no doubt, unless a major injury, that Baltimore will finish in 1st, 2nd place is a toss-up between the Steelers and Bengals. If you only want one, I lean Pittsburgh to finish 2nd behind Rodgers and that incredible defense.
With these odds, we can profit by taking both and hope Pittsburgh pulls it off for a better pay day of 3x!
Chris Boswell is one of the most accurate kickers. Last season, he made one in every game except 1, at Washington, where he did not attempt a kick.
In 2023, he missed by 2 games, in 2022 and 2021, back-to-back seasons, he missed again by only 1 game each season and missed 2 games again in 2020. Now with Rogers, and the addition of Kaleb Johnson, Metcalf, and strong offensive line play, I expect Rogers to be able to move the ball and give the Steelers chances each game to put points on the board.