2025 NFL season divisional best bets and predictions: Top tips for all eight divisions

NFL season start date, Super Bowl date & TV info 

Season start date Thursday, September 4
Super Bowl Sunday, February 8
Venue Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
UK TV details Matches shown on Sky Sports & Channel 5

AFC East predictions

Best odds
4-11 Buffalo, 11-2 New England, 8-1 Miami, 20-1 New York Jets

The Buffalo Bills have won five straight AFC East titles and that record should only improve in 2025.

Last year, the New England Patriots were 28-1 to finish top of the pile, so the hiring of Mike Vrabel has only aided their cause. However, he has a rebuild on his hands in Boston and the same can be said of Aaron Glenn and the Jets in New York.

Miami have not progressed under Mike McDaniel and they missed out on the playoffs in 2024. The Bills should walk the division barring any injury nightmares.

Buffalo Bills-New England Patriots straight forecast
1pt 6-4 bet365

AFC North predictions

Baltimore 8-13, Cincinnati 13-5, Pittsburgh 11-2, Cleveland 35-1

The Baltimore Ravens should defend their AFC North crown and win their third title in a row. The AFC North is famously the most competitive division in the NFL, but the Ravens look a level cut their rivals before the new season starts.

Cincinnati should be their closest challengers thanks to the brilliance of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, while the Pittsburgh Steelers may be up against it in their quest to reach the playoffs after turning to veteran Aaron Rodgers.

The Ravens added WR DeAndre Hopkins and CB Jaire Alexander to their roster in the offseason and the best offence from 2024 should give John Harbaugh every chance of winning the Super Bowl.

Baltimore Ravens 
3pts 8-13 Hills, Paddy Power

Houston Texans tight end Harrison Bryant Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images

AFC South predictions

Houston 11-10, Jacksonville 3-1, Indianapolis 4-1, Tennessee 8-1

The Jacksonville Jaguars may spring a surprise or two this season as they try to adapt to new head coach Liam Coen. Coen got the job after an impressive year in charge of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offence, and the arrival of wide receiver Travis Hunter adds a new dimension to their attack.

The Indianapolis Colts have too many issues at quarterback to mount a serious charge while it is too much to ask number one pick Cam Ward to guide Tennessee to the top of the standings.

Finally, the Houston Texans should be able to manager a double-figure win tally again, which should help them top the standings. Their offensive line needs to improve, but quarterback CJ.Stroud now has Christian Kirk and Nico Collins as his first two pass targets.

Houston Texans
1pt 11-10 Betfair, Paddy Power

AFC West predictions

Kansas City 10-11, Denver 31-10, LA Chargers 17-5, Las Vegas 16-1

Despite winning the AFC West every year since 2016, the Kansas City Chiefs are 10-11 this year to finish top of the pile under Andy Reid and that looks incredible value.

All three of their rivals - the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders - should improve after plenty of off-season changes, but none of them look capable of keeping pace with the Chiefs.

Both the Broncos and Chargers should be competitive due to their resolute defences, but the Chiefs finished 15-2 in 2024 and they have only improved their roster.

Backing against an Andy Reid-coached team is a brave proposition, and at 10-11, there's enough value for another Chief Kingdom domination.

Kansas City Chiefs 
3pts 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

NFL Special

4/5

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

Bet £10 Get £50 In Free Bets

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

• Request custom bets on Twitter with #WhatOddsPaddy

CLAIM OFFER

18+ T&Cs apply

New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on any NFL market at odds of min 1/2 (1.5) and get £50 in free bet builders & multiples. Free bet rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

NFC East predictions

Philadelphia 20-29, Washington 9-4, Dallas 15-2, NY Giants 25-1

The Dallas Cowboys' decision to trade away Micah Parsons on the eve of the new season is not going to help them compete even though quarterback Dak Prescott now has George Pickens in his armoury. 

Dallas look set to miss out on the playoffs once again while the New York Giants are only hoping to make positive strides after their 3-14 campaign in 2024. Both the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles won more than ten games last season but there should be no regression from the reigning champions in the race for the NFC East title.

Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Commanders straight forecast
2pts 6-4 bet365

NFC North predictions

Detroit 2-1, Green Bay 7-4, Minnesota 7-2, Chicago 6-1

There should be plenty of drama involving NFC North teams in 2025 and the Detroit Lions may not have it all their own way after losing both their coordinators in the offseason. One of them, offensive guru Ben Johnson, has become the Chicago Bears' head coach, but there are question marks over quarterback Caleb Williams in his second season.

The Minnesota Vikings finished 14-3 last year, but now they have youngster JJ McCarthy at quarterback and it is tough to see his side repeating last year's success. Detroit may have enough to win, but the value lies with the Green Bay Packers, who just bolstered their roster with the arrival of Parsons.

Green Bay Packers
1pt 7-4 Hills

Tez Johnson's Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a fifth straight divisional titleCredit: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NFC South predictions

Tampa Evs, Atlanta 9-4, Carolina 9-2, New Orleans 16-1

The New Orleans Saints should already be planning for next season as they need a new franchise quarterback and may struggle to win more than five games in 2025. Carolina gave Bryce Young more support in the offseason, but they are not expected to make too many strides forward.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to win their fifth-straight NFC South title and there's enough quality on their roster to mount a serious Super Bowl run.

Atlanta fans should expect more from their offence in 2025 and they should be able to finish hot on the heels of Todd Bowles' team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Atlanta Falcons straight forecast
2pts 11-4 bet365

NFC West predictions

San Francisco 6-4, Los Angeles Rams 2-1, Arizona 9-2, Seattle 5-1

The NFC West could be won by any of the four teams this season and it is tough to back the San Francisco 49ers with conviction after a disappointing campaign in 2024.While both the Seattle Seahawks and LA Rams should show signs of life, the Arizona Cardinals should give  backers a run for their money.

Arizona finished 8-9 last year and more should be expected from Marvin Harrison Jr, while running back James Conner is solid and reliable from the backfield.

The Cardinals had a tough schedule last season but with an easier run in 2025, they could spring a surprise.

Arizona Cardinals 
1pt 9-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

Super Bowl 60 betting odds

Sign up with Paddy Power to bet on the NFL. Here are the latest odds for the Super Bowl:

Odds correct at time of publishing

NFL Special

4/5

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

Bet £10 Get £50 In Free Bets

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

• Request custom bets on Twitter with #WhatOddsPaddy

CLAIM OFFER

18+ T&Cs apply

New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on any NFL market at odds of min 1/2 (1.5) and get £50 in free bet builders & multiples. Free bet rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.

2025 NFL season FAQs

When does the new NFL season start?

The 2025 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 4 with Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (1.20am Friday morning in the UK).

Where and when is Super Bowl 60?

Super Bowl 60 will take place at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the home of the San Francisco 49ers.

Who are the favourites for Super Bowl 60?

The Baltimore Ravens are the 13-2 Super Bowl favourites. The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles are both 7-1 shots with the Kansas City Chiefs next in at 17-2.

How can I watch the NFL in the UK

The 2025 NFL season is live on Sky Sports & Channel 5.

Read more NFL tips and predictions ...

2025 NFL season predictions, odds and betting tips: Super Bowl 60 outright tips at 13-2, 22-1 and 33-1 

2025 NFL season player specials predictions and betting tips: Bengals QB Joe Burrow can put up bold MVP bid 

Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.