Jake Majka here with 10 BOLD NFL predictions for the NFL season. Let’s get it started.
Josh Allen wins MVP again.
Let’s start with the most fun prediction. While Ravens fans and national media are skeptical of Allen’s MVP run in 2024, he will leave no doubt in 2025. Consistency with the offensive line, the addition of Josh Palmer and healthy Dalton Kincaid + Keon Coleman will make one of the most efficient offenses in football one of the most explosive. Josh Allen gets above 4,000 yards and over 35 TDs and cruises to back-to-back MVPs.
Green Bay wins the NFC.
I believe in Jordan Love. He’s a gamer. Last year, they were hampered by injuries to Love and the WR corps. It was dire at times. Now, Love is healthy. They added Matthew Golden in the first round and, oh yeah… Micah Parsons on the defensive side of the ball. The NFC is going to be a war (more on that later), and the Packers have found a way to compete in years past with young teams. This is the year they take the next step.
Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey fall off.
One of these years, the old guard of NFL RBs will fall off. CMC has shown signs, but Derrick Henry hasn’t slowed a bit, putting up a historic season last year with Baltimore. I just have a hard time thinking he’ll replicate that. He’s an alien, but the wheels will fall off eventually. This year, the RB hierarchy officially turns over to Barkley and Bijan.
Justin Jefferson turns on JJ McCarthy.
Justin Jefferson hasn’t ever played with an elite QB, yet he is one of the best WRs this game has ever seen. This might be the year the Vikings push him too far. Yes, they believe in JJ McCarthy, but this is a risky endeavor to take on after being 14-3 a year prior. I’m taking the bet that it doesn’t end up going well.
Jayden Daniels enters the top tier of QBs.
He might already be there, but he will surpass Burrow and move into the Allen/Jackson/Mahomes tier.
Aidan Hutchinson wins DPOY and Detroit leads the league in defense.
Hutch was on a tear last year before his injury. The Detroit defense was winning them games as much as the offense. With both coordinators taking head coaching jobs, there are a lot of unknowns with the Lions. But the personnel on the defensive side of the ball is no joke, and Dan Campbell will get back to his roots, leaning on that side of the ball becoming a force to compete again in the NFC.
The Dolphins finish 4th in the AFC East.
I mean, has there been any good news out of Miami since last year? New England and New York have both taken steps to bring more stability to their franchises, while Mike McDaniel is just trying to get his players to show up on time. The lack of discipline and culture will cost the Dolphins because the division floor has been raised over their heads.
The NFC’s best team will finish with 12 wins.
The NFC will not have a dominant team. The Eagles and Commanders will end up a game apart, but have a tougher go in the division this year. Same for the NFC North, who could have 3 playoff teams again + the improving Bears (more on them shortly). The South and West divisions don’t have a runaway favorite for the conference. MAYBE the Rams can get to 13 wins if things break right, but I think the NFC wild card picture ends up a jumbled mess of some good to great teams.
Ben Johnson will fix Caleb Williams.
Caleb Williams had three offensive coordinators in his first season, and no one would watch film with him. The organization failed him in his first year. Enter Ben Johnson, the league’s current offensive wunderkind, who will bring structure, stability and confidence to the offense and the young quarterback. I expect a new Caleb Williams this year.
The Bengals implode.
Even with Trey Hendrickson back (for this year), the defensive questions are still a major focal point for my lack of faith in Cincy. They are paying a lot for Burrow/Chase/Higgins and it’s not something you see from any other contender in the league. They have a high ceiling, but the volatility of their top-heavy roster worries me. Plus, the league has trended away from Air Raid-style offenses, while Cincy remains effective there, it hasn’t translated to winning the last two years. I expect Cincy to battle for a wild card spot again and tensions to rise because they expect much better than that.