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This NFL season has delivered loads of shocking turns, giving fan bases throughout the league a variety of feelings. A handful of groups — together with the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars — have surged past expectations, fueling actual optimism heading into the playoff stretch.
Then there are the Philadelphia Eagles, whose perpetually angst-ridden trustworthy are reeling after their group’s 22-19 extra time loss Monday to the Los Angeles Chargers.
As the postseason race intensifies, Yardbarker’s NFL writers price the satisfaction of every fan base — from 1 for thrilled to five for exasperated.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-6-1) | Satisfaction ranking: 3 | Cowboys followers have been exasperated when proprietor Jerry Jones dealt All-Pro defensive finish Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers earlier than the season. But with a high-powered offense, savvy defensive-minded trades and a first-time head coach outperforming expectations, the Cowboys are alive within the playoff hunt. Dallas followers are conscious the group is much from its glory days, however the 2025 Cowboys are an entertaining shock.
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-11) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 |
Rookie QB Jaxson Dart enjoying with a wholesome RB Cam Skattebo and WR Malik Nabers subsequent season is a light-weight on the finish of the lengthy tunnel for Giants followers. In the meantime, these banners flown demanding possession hearth everybody are apparently beginning to work, as HC Brian Daboll was fired halfway via the season. GM Joe Schoen might be part of him, however that’s little satisfaction for a fan base enduring its third consecutive double-digit loss season.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-5) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 | With the Super Bowl LIX champs underperforming in virtually each space — the once-best speeding assault within the league is now twenty second — stressed followers are again to questioning head coach Nick Sirianni’s personnel choices. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s time calling performs could also be short-lived; if he’s demoted or fired, fan satisfaction might improve dramatically.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-10) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 |
Even essentially the most cynical Commanders fan couldn’t have anticipated this snake-bitten season for the group that performed in NFC Championship Game a yr in the past. Second-year QB Jayden Daniels (below-par 60.6 completion proportion) hasn’t performed nicely and is hampered by an elbow harm. Head coach Dan Quinn needs to be given extra time to course-correct for this rebuilding group. – Conor Killmurray
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-10) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 |
After a 2-0 begin, the Cardinals have misplaced 9 of their previous 10 video games. QB Kyler Murray has been shut down for the season with a lingering foot harm, and the protection ranks twenty sixth in factors allowed (26.8 PPG). With head coach Jonathan Gannon on the recent seat and a fourth consecutive season with out a playoff look, Arizona is not giving followers a lot to cheer about.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-3) | Satisfaction ranking: 1 | Despite considerations about his again coming into the season, QB Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 35 TD passes for an offense as explosive as any within the league for the reason that addition of large receiver Davante Adams (league-best 14 TD catches). The protection offers up the third-fewest factors per sport (17.5 PPG), making this probably the most balanced groups within the NFL and a reputable Super Bowl contender.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9-4) | Satisfaction ranking: 3 | Injuries to key gamers have made this a attempting season for the 49ers, however they nonetheless discover themselves battling for a division title. QB Brock Purdy has been inconsistent in his 5 begins (9 TD passes, seven interceptions), however the stable play from backup Mac Jones in his absence and the 1,655 complete yards from RB Christian McCaffrey have saved this group within the playoff hunt.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-3) | Satisfaction ranking: 2 |
QB Sam Darnold, to the shock of many, has excelled, throwing for 22 TDs and posting a career-best completion proportion (68.1%). WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the league in receiving yards (1,428) and the protection ranks second in factors allowed (17.4 PPG), giving the Seattle fan base causes to be happy. — Colby Colwell
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (9-4) | Satisfaction ranking: 1 | The Bears have been the No. 1 seed within the NFC earlier than their Week 14 loss at Green Bay, so what’s to not like? HC Ben Johnson’s shirtless postgame celebrations are the discuss of the NFL. The first-time head coach is a revelation for Chicago, which has essentially the most improved offensive line within the league, is getting wholesome on protection and has reasonable Super Bowl hopes for the primary time in years.
DETROIT LIONS (8-5) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 |
This is perhaps a tad harsh, however Lions followers have to be pissed off that Ben Johnson has the Bears buzzing. Detroit ranks eighth within the NFL in offensive EPA per play and 14th in defensive EPA per play via 14 weeks, which is just too pedestrian for a group that thought of itself one of many elites heading into the season. If the Lions miss the playoffs, this could drop to a 5.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-3-1) | Satisfaction ranking: 2 | The Packers are the place they anticipated to be via 14 weeks, however there are regarding bullet factors on their resume. Green Bay misplaced to the Browns, Panthers and Eagles, scoring 13 or fewer factors in all three video games and making Packers followers marvel if an analogous offensive stinker is coming within the playoffs.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-8) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 | The Vikings is perhaps essentially the most disappointing group within the NFL based mostly on expectations heading into the season. Minnesota has a championship-caliber roster and training employees, however the play of beginning QB J.J. McCarthy has been abysmal. To make issues worse, 2024 Vikings beginning QB Sam Darnold is lighting it up with the Seahawks. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (4-9) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 | The Falcons have been eradicated from the winnable NFC South with a 37-9 Week 14 drubbing at residence in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks. QB Kirk Cousins is without doubt one of the worst big-money free-agent signings in NFL historical past, and QB Michael Penix, the group’s 2024 first-round decide, has been painfully inconsistent and won’t be prepared for the beginning of the 2026 season after present process reconstructive surgical procedure on his ACL in November. With no clear reply at QB and a head coach in Raheem Morris with a 33-56 report, Falcons trustworthy is perhaps the league’s most exasperated fan base.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-6) | Satisfaction ranking: 2 | After seasons spent within the wilderness, the Panthers have a reputable shot at successful the NFC South for the primary time in 10 years. Two of their last three video games are in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving the franchise its first significant December video games since Cam Newton was QB.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-10) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 | Rookie QB Tyler Shough’s first two wins got here on the street in opposition to the NFC South’s two greatest groups, offering a jolt for a floundering Saints group that has missed the playoffs in 5 consecutive seasons. New Orleans nonetheless has loads of floor to cowl to return to respectability, however as a substitute of being shrouded in darkness, there’s a light-weight on the finish of the tunnel for this group.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-6) | Satisfaction ranking: 3 |
Tampa Bay’s NFC South reign has been threatened beforehand — in 2023, it gained the division over New Orleans through tiebreaker — however by no means extra so than this season. The Bucs have misplaced 5 of their previous seven video games following a 5-1 begin and are tied with the Carolina Panthers atop the division with 4 video games left. — Eric Smithling
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (9-4) | Satisfaction ranking: 2 | Buffalo, winner of the previous 5 AFC East titles, has taken a backseat to the first-place New England Patriots. That’s not one thing that the majority Bills followers anticipated this late within the season. However, as QB Josh Allen as soon as once more proved in Sunday’s 39-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, you may by no means depend Buffalo out when he performs.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-7) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 | After beginning the season 0-3, head coach Mike McDaniel was on the recent seat. With 4 straight wins and 5 of their previous six video games, the Dolphins have quietly turned their season round. However, Miami has lower than a 1% likelihood to make the playoffs, in keeping with NFL.com’s playoff chance, and a tough schedule forward, making its slim playoff hopes that rather more unbelievable.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11-2) | Satisfaction ranking: 1 | How may this be something however a 1 for the Patriots? They have turned issues round below first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and second-year QB Drake Maye, who has the second-most passing yards (3,412) and fourth-most passing TDs (23). Riding a 10-game successful streak, the Patriots are a close to certainty to return to the playoffs for the primary time for the reason that 2021 season.
NEW YORK JETS (3-10) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 | The playoff drought is now at 15 years for the Jets after their 34-10 loss in Week 14 to the Dolphins, extending the longest lively drought within the NFL. There hasn’t been a lot to cheer about for Jets followers currently, and the 2025 season has solely added to the frustration for a franchise that at all times appears to be on this place. — Colby Colwell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (11-2) | Satisfaction ranking: 2 | The Broncos haven’t gained a playoff sport for the reason that 2015 season, however they might quickly finish that drought. If the playoffs began at the moment, Denver would personal the No. 1 seed within the AFC. The group might have additionally discovered The Guy in second-year QB Bo Nix, who ranks tenth within the league in passing yards (2,954).
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-7) | Satisfaction ranking: 3 | Since 2019, the Chiefs have gained three Super Bowls, however the basis of their dynasty clearly has cracks. Kansas City’s streak of 9 consecutive division titles has ended, and it’s on monitor to overlook the playoffs for the primary time since 2014. Per The Athletic, the Chiefs have a ten% likelihood of constructing the postseason.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-11) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 |
New minority proprietor and former QB Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, could also be regretting shopping for a stake within the Raiders. The membership is 6-24 over its previous 30 video games. Not even extremely touted rookie working again Ashton Jeanty has offered hope for Raiders followers. He’s averaging a subpar 3.5 yards per carry (665 yards, twenty first within the NFL).
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-4) | Satisfaction ranking: 2 |
Second-year head coach Jim Harbaugh could also be poised to steer the group to its first playoff win for the reason that 2018 season. The Chargers are discovering their groove on the proper time, having gained 5 of their previous six video games. If Denver goes chilly and L.A. stays scorching, it may make a late push for the division title.
— Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-7) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 | The Ravens are at risk of letting one other yr of QB Lamar Jackson’s prime slip away with out a journey to the Super Bowl. This season, Baltimore might not even make the playoffs. There is one thing to be stated for at all times being aggressive, however the lack of playoff success and near-misses are placing stress on all people in what’s changing into a stale group.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-9) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 | QB Joe Burrow is in his sixth season as Bengals beginning QB, however regardless of his brilliance, the group has simply two playoff appearances to indicate for it. All of the issues which have held the group again for many of his profession (protection, offensive line) stay.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-10) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 |
Since returning to the NFL in 1999, the Browns have made the playoffs thrice, gained one playoff sport and have gone via a revolving door of QBs that’s unmatched. The Browns are 6-24 over the previous two seasons, which isn’t even the worst two-year stretch this franchise has skilled prior to now decade.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-6) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 | Perhaps you’ve got heard: The Steelers haven’t gained a playoff sport for the reason that 2016 season and have had a number of late-season meltdowns in recent times. Steelers followers are usually not content material with barely ending over .500 every season. They wish to see postseason wins, and like their AFC North rivals in Baltimore, mediocrity and staleness have set in with the group and its longtime head coach, Mike Tomlin. — Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (8-5) | Satisfaction ranking: 2 | With an 0-3 begin, the Texans regarded like they have been headed for a significant step again, however they’ve gained six of their previous seven video games and will win the division. Five of these wins got here in opposition to groups which can be within the playoff hunt. Kudos to an elite protection that ranks first within the NFL in factors allowed (16 PPG) and yards allowed (266.3 YPG).
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-5) | Satisfaction ranking: 4 | The Colts stay within the playoff hunt, however a once-promising season is on the snapping point. Indy has misplaced 4 of its previous 5 video games after a 7-1 begin, and QB Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles harm within the group’s blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14. Rookie QB Riley Leonard appears unlikely to maintain the ship afloat. Could Philip Rivers?
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (9-4) | Satisfaction ranking: 1 |
Winners of 4 straight, the Jaguars have hit their stride offensively below first-year HC Liam Coen. Turnover-prone QB Trevor Lawrence has gone back-to-back video games with out an interception. Their current schedule hasn’t been attempting, however the Jags have gone from a 4-13 season in 2024 to a shot at internet hosting a first-round playoff sport.
TENNESSEE TITANS (2-11) | Satisfaction ranking: 5 | The Titans are coming off a Week 14 win over the Cleveland Browns, however there was little for Tennessee followers to be enthusiastic about. Brian Callahan was the primary head coach fired this season, and the Titans haven’t performed higher with out him. No. 1 total decide Cam Ward has thrown for greater than 200 yards in simply six video games and has 9 landing passes and 7 interceptions. — Steve DelVecchio
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