There will likely be one team in 2025 that defies expectations and wins its division. Our staff makes some bold season-long picks ahead of Week 1.
The latest: Will we finally see a changing of the guard in the AFC West? Can the Detroit Lions keep their throne in an incredibly difficult NFC North? Will Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills extend their dominance over a soft division? These are all questions we'll try to answer.
Check out our top NFL division winner predictions for the upcoming season, featuring a +4,558 parlay.
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NFL division winner predictions
Parlay: Bills to win AFC East + Ravens to win AFC North (+123)
Bills to win AFC East (-286): The Jets and Patriots are improving, but they don’t have the firepower to match what Josh Allen brings.
Miami is always interesting, but an injury-prone Tua Tagovailoa and aging Tyreek Hill make it harder to trust them as the seasons pass.
The Bills are the only team in this division with a shot at the Super Bowl, and they should once again be the only team with more than 10 wins in the AFC East.
Ravens to win AFC North (-155): The Bengals made no marked improvements to their defence, meaning the unit should be brutal once again.
Meanwhile, the Steelers are experimenting with a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and the Browns have no aspirations of winning the AFC North anytime soon.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are the most well-rounded team in the division. They are coming off a 12-win season and could even improve on that if everyone stays healthy.
-Spencer Closs
Denver has value in AFC West
Broncos to win AFC West (+300): When it comes to competing for a Super Bowl, I still think the Chiefs are the most threatening team from the AFC West.
But this could be a let-down regular season for the Chiefs, who have every reason to be on cruise control.
Patrick Mahomes is coming off arguably his worst season in the NFL, while Travis Kelce creeps one step closer to retirement.
The Chiefs have played a significant amount of extra football in the playoffs over the years, and there are more question marks than ever with the current roster.
With Bo Nix hopefully building on his outstanding rookie season, I like the value on the Broncos, who should have both a top-10 offence and defence in the league.
An experienced head coach like Sean Payton at the helm doesn't hurt either.
-Closs
Best bet to win NFC South
Falcons to win NFC South (+225): Two things need to go right for Atlanta to win the NFC South.
Michael Penix Jr. needs to be a baller, and rookie pass rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. need to be effective.
I’m dubious of the Buccaneers. Mike Evans showed signs of decline in 2024, and Chris Godwin will miss time to open the season.
The Falcons have a young, improving offence that should be among the best in the NFC. If the defence can keep pace, this is a pick to consider over the favoured Buccaneers.
-Steven Psihogios
Long shot NFL division winner parlay predictions
Bengals, Texans, Lions and 49ers (+4,458): On a surface level, this seems like a lot to ask.
But in reality, I'm picking three divisional favourites, two at plus-money, and a team two years removed from winning their division at 12-4.
The latter squad is the Cincinnati Bengals, who come in at a healthy +240 price point.
The squad's offence will be undeniable this year, led by Joe Burrow and the best one-two punch at receiver in the NFL, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Cincy has always started slow, but Burrow has gotten more preseason reps than ever and seems hellbent on starting the year hot. The AFC North is always a blood bath, but this is a battle-tested group that can come out on top.
The Detroit Lions will also have their work cut out for them, but they just ripped off a 15-2 season with the most electric offence in football and a defence that couldn't stay off the injury report.
Assuming everyone stays healthy, I expect Detroit to win the division for a third straight year.
On to the San Francisco 49ers, who are flying dangerously under the radar. In my opinion, the NFC West is a two-horse race with the Los Angeles Rams.
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for San Fran last year, but the squad still has immense skill on both sides of the ball and one of the best coaches in football.
Kyle Shanahan should have his group prepared against the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL.
Finally, I'll touch on the Houston Texans. C.J. Stroud had a down year, and the squad's receiving room was riddled with injuries, but Houston still cruised to a divisional title.
I'll back the Texans any day against the Daniel Jones-led Indianapolis Colts and a Jacksonville Jaguars team with plenty of holes.
-Avery Perri
NFL division winner picks made on Aug. 31, 2025.
