Ranking the NFC Teams Heading into the 2025/26 NFL Season
The National Football Conference (NFC) and its teams have found winning Super Bowls tough over recent years.
Three of the previous seven seasons have seen an NFC side come out on top – the Eagles in 2024 and the Rams in 2022.
The NFC does retain a slim advantage over the AFC when it comes to the number of Super Bowls won by its franchises, leading 30-29.
But there are some big players in the mix this year. Can the defending champion Eagles go back-to-back? Will the 49ers build on a promising start to the season? Are the Buccaneers really Super Bowl contenders?
We have our say below…
Tier 1 NFC Teams
Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East)
The Eagles look built for another run.
Jalen Hurts has weapons everywhere, Saquon Barkley added firepower last year, and that O-line still bullies defenses.
Philly’s defense isn’t perfect but they’re physical enough to win slugfests and fast enough to hang in shootouts. If you’re betting on futures, it’s hard to ignore the team that marries star power with stability.
San Francisco 49ers (NFC West)
The Niners are never out of the mix.
Christian McCaffrey’s versatility, Brandon Aiyuk’s consistency and one of the NFL’s nastiest defenses make them dangerous every Sunday. Kyle Shanahan’s system keeps them in every matchup, and they’ve already shown they can handle big playoff moments. You only have to remember their huge win over the Lions back in 2024 as evidence of their big-play bravery.
Tier 2 NFC Teams
Detroit Lions (NFC North)
Detroit aren’t just fun anymore – they’re flat-out good.
Jared Goff runs the offense with balance, Amon-Ra St Brown is elite and the Gibbs/Montgomery combo grinds teams down.
The Lions are aggressive on both sides, but tougher schedules mean bumps are coming.
They’ll be popular in divisional and playoff markets, but whether they go all the way is another question.
Los Angeles Rams (NFC West)
Sean McVay doesn’t do rebuilds, he simply reloads.
With Matthew Stafford healthy and Puka Nacua emerging as a star, the Rams still have the firepower to hang in the NFC.
The defense is no longer elite, but the Rams are the type of team you don’t want to draw in January.
Keep an eye on them in playoff futures and weekly spreads.
Washington Commanders (NFC East)
Jayden Daniels has changed everything in Washington.
His athleticism opens up an offense that used to sputter and the defense is finally playing with swagger.
They’re not perfect but they’re a nightmare to scheme against and momentum is clearly in their corner.
A sneaky futures play could be wise if you believe they’re ahead of schedule.
Tier 3 NFC Teams
Green Bay Packers (NFC West)
Jordan Love proved he belongs but the Packers aren’t quite ready to dominate.
They’re young, talented and dangerous on any given Sunday – just not consistent enough yet.
They’re the classic “wildcard-or-bust” team, worth a flyer in individual games but risky in long-term markets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South)
The NFC South keeps them relevant but the Bucs feel capped.
Baker Mayfield is scrappy, Mike Evans is still reliable, and the defense plays hard. But they lack the depth of true contenders.
Worth watching in divisional bets but less exciting when it comes to Super Bowl tickets.
Dallas Cowboys (NFC East)
The Cowboys look like a team searching for its next identity. Losing Micah Parsons and key veterans shifts the balance while Dak Prescott hasn’t proved that he can carry them over the hump.
They’ll win games but bettors will want to fade them in futures until they prove otherwise.
Arizona Cardinals (NFC West)
Kyler Murray is healthy and Marvin Harrison Jr adds a spark, but the roster isn’t deep enough to scare top contenders.
Arizona will steal games and light up highlight reels, but a playoff push feels a year early.
Watch them for props, not long-term futures
Tier 4 NFC Teams
Seattle Seahawks (NFC West)
New coach, new system, fewer stars.
With Tyler Lockett and Geno Smith gone, Seattle are a team in transition.
In betting terms: fade them in divisional and win-total markets until proven otherwise.
New Orleans Saints (NFC South)
An ageing roster, no real quarterback plan and limited cap flexibility spell trouble.
The Saints feel like a team destined to bottom out in a division that’s passing them by.
Bettors will likely find more value betting against them than backing them.
Carolina Panthers (NFC South)
Still rebuilding with Bryce Young. Flashes of potential won’t make up for holes across the roster. Carolina should be treated as a week-to-week underdog, not a futures play.
Minnesota Vikings (NFC West)
JJ McCarthy has talent, but growing pains are inevitable.
Justin Jefferson can only do so much in a reset season. Minnesota feels like a fade candidate in futures and win totals until McCarthy settles in.