NFL: Three Teams in Disarray as 2025 Season Begins to Loom

NFL: Three Teams in Disarray as 2025 Season Begins to Loom

The 2025 NFL season is just a matter of weeks away. Following their demolition of the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans back in February, the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles will kick off the new campaign on September 4th as they host the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. But that isn't the only mouth-watering clash in week one. 

The opening weekend boasts several heavyweight bouts. The Buffalo Bills will square off against the Baltimore Ravens in a blockbuster rematch of last season's Divisional Round game, a game in which Josh Allen reigned supreme over Lamar Jackson. Meanwhile, the Lambeau Field faithful will witness the Green Bay Packers battling their division-rival Detroit Lions in a contest sure to have NFC North ramifications. 

Even so, though, it's the aforementioned champion Eagles that online gambling sites make the team to beat. The latest odds from the popular Bovada gambling site have Nick Sirriani's men listed as the +700 joint favorite to claim the Lombardi again next season, as well as making them a 6.5-point favorite to beat Dallas on the opening day. 

But while the champs are certainly in good standing, some teams head into 2025 in disarray. Here are three teams that need to get their acts together fast if they are to hit the ground running in the new season. 

Bengals

For a franchise with Super Bowl ambitions, the Bengals’ situation is far from plain sailing. Joe Burrow dazzled last season, leading the NFL in both passing yards and touchdowns despite being protected by statistically the worst O-line in the entire league. With his superstar wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins tied down to new, money-spinning contracts, Cincy’s aerial attack will strike fear across the league. But football is a game of two sides, and on the defensive front, cracks are showing.

40 TD’s on the year now for Joe Burrow ✅ pic.twitter.com/hhiOAyAotI

— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) December 28, 2024

Last season's sack leader, Trey Hendrickson, is entrenched in a holdout, demanding either a new contract or a trade. The timing couldn’t be worse, and it doesn't look like the situation will be resolved any time soon. Meanwhile, prized rookie Shemar Stewart, drafted in the first round to bolster the defensive line, should difficulties arise with Hendrickson, remains unsigned due to disputes over contractual language. 

Team president Mike Brown described the situation as “foolishness,” yet mismanagement of these two key defensive players threatens to turn the Bengals’ title desire into a distant dream. Can Burrow and the offense shoulder the load? They came close to doing exactly that last season before missing out on the playoffs on the final day. Or will the defensive disruptions - which have rendered the defense looking even weaker than it was last season - unravel a golden opportunity?

Jets

It’s hard to sugarcoat the struggles of the Jets. A 14-year playoff drought has become an unwelcome tradition, and despite hopes of change, ESPN ranks the team’s 2025 roster as the third weakest in the entire league. The Aaron Rodgers experiment was supposed to end that decade-plus barren spell, but the four-time MVP's two-year stint at MetLife Stadium ended up being an unmitigated disaster. 

Still, hope springs eternal in Gang Green, primarily because of quarterback Justin Fields. After a rocky tenure in Chicago, the mobile QB arrives in the Big Apple somewhat rejuvenated after a decent year in Pittsburgh last term. Yet, even if he can somehow find his best form and remain consistent, his supporting cast is undeniably thin, and his success hinges on carrying the franchise’s offensive spark alone. 

The Jets have locked in emerging talents like All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, reassuring fans that foundational pieces remain intact. However, does this team have enough firepower to snap their tormenting playoff drought? Early signs say… almost certainly not.

Falcons

Quarterback controversies are season killers, and the Falcons find themselves embroiled in one before the regular-season drumbeat begins. Established veteran Kirk Cousins is rumored as potential trade bait, signaling diminishing confidence in his leadership following a disappointing debut campaign in Georgia. Now, all eyes are on Michael Penix Jr., who enters his second year with plenty to prove. 

Rumbled whispers of dissatisfaction within the Falcons’ coaching ranks exacerbate the issue. Consistency, a hallmark of playoff-worthy sides, remains glaringly absent from Atlanta’s locker room. Even the usually dependable kicker Younghoe Koo finds himself battling for his starting role in camp. 

While undisputed talent exists across the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a muddled vision is apparent. Add to that the fact that they crumbled throughout the back end of last season, losing six of their last eight games to fall from 6-3 to 8-9 and missing the playoffs altogether. With rivals ready to exploit every weakness, Atlanta must regroup quickly or risk another wayward campaign, especially with their divisional rival, Carolina Panthers, looking much improved throughout the last three games of last term.