The Big 5: NFL’s greatest surprises of the 2025 season — for higher or worse

The 2025 NFL season has already produced surprising plot twists, with projected playoff groups struggling and preseason afterthoughts turning into the speak of the city.

For higher or worse, listed here are the NFL’s most stunning groups coming into Week 6.

1. Baltimore Ravens (1-4)

When issues cannot presumably worsen for the Ravens, they attain new depths. By dropping 44-10 in Week 5 to the Houston Texans, a workforce it has traditionally dominated, Baltimore tied for its worst house loss in franchise historical past.

The Ravens made strikes this week to enhance a putrid secondary, buying security Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers for edge-rusher Odafe Oweh and signing free-agent security C.J. Gardner-Johnson, however that is unlikely to offer speedy reduction. In Week 6, Baltimore hosts the Los Angeles Rams, who’ve the league’s second-ranked move offense, so QB Matthew Stafford ought to carve up the defensive backfield with wideouts Puka Nacua (who’s on a tempo for a record-shattering season) and Davante Adams.

Baltimore’s offense, which is prone to be with out two-time MVP beginning quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) for the second consecutive week, will not be capable of sustain in a shootout. Oddsmakers agree, with Los Angeles an 8.5-point favourite, per ESPN BET. 

The Ravens seem headed for a 1-5 file coming into their Week 7 bye, however they’ve a way more favorable schedule after they return. According to ESPN’s NFL Football Power Index, Baltimore ranks No. 25 in remaining energy of schedule. With a wholesome Jackson and an AFC North up for grabs, do not rule out a second-half surge. Yet it is simply as seemingly Baltimore spends all season in a gap it will probably’t get out of.

2. Indianapolis Colts (4-1)

The most stunning success story of the season is in Indianapolis, which has surpassed all expectations. Quarterback Daniel Jones, who entered 2025 3-13 in his previous 16 begins, is enjoying like an MVP candidate. Through 5 video games, the No. 6 total decide of the 2019 NFL Draft is 107-of-150 (71.3 %) for 1,290 yards, 9 complete touchdowns and two interceptions.

The offense has generated a lot of the headlines, and for good motive, however the protection has been a revelation as nicely. The unit has held three of its first 5 opponents underneath 300 yards and compelled a turnover in every recreation. Indy’s fortune may not change in Week 6 because it hosts the Arizona Cardinals, who’re coming off one of the crucial embarrassing collapses in latest historical past, blowing an 18-point lead at house to the beforehand winless Tennessee Titans. Arizona (2-3) has turned the ball over 5 occasions in its previous two video games.

With highway video games remaining towards the Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks, the Colts will quickly present a extra correct gauge on the place they stand. But somewhat than being a Week 1 flash within the pan, Indianapolis seems to be constructed for the lengthy haul.

3. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s major competitors for Coach of the Year needs to be Kyle Shanahan, who has achieved a masterful job of main a hobbled 49ers squad to the highest of the NFC West. San Francisco is 3-0 with out beginning quarterback Brock Purdy, with Mac Jones becoming a member of Daniel Jones as one of many 12 months’s nice reclamation initiatives. The Niners are additionally thriving with out elite manufacturing within the run recreation from Christian McCaffrey, who’s averaging 3.1 yards per carry.

San Francisco is already 3-0 in division video games, however to keep up its edge within the NFC West, the offense should change into extra balanced. Through Week 5, the Niners are first in move offense (290.6 yards per recreation) however rank final in yards per rush try (3.1) and are the league’s solely workforce with no speeding landing. (Every different workforce has no less than two.)

The Jaguars made the AFC South the one NFL division with two one-loss groups after coming again to win at house towards the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs in Week 5.

Jacksonville ranks within the prime 10 within the NFL in each scoring offense and scoring protection. The Jaguars have ascending expertise on either side of the ball, with working again Travis Etienne (443 speeding yards) averaging profession highs in yards per carry (5.8) and rush yards per recreation (88.6). First-year head coach Liam Coen has achieved a superb job of working him in advantageous conditions, with Etienne solely dealing with a stacked field (eight or extra defenders close to the road of scrimmage) on 13 % of his carries, the sixth-lowest fee amongst qualifying working backs, per NFL Pro.

The protection, led by first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, a former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach/run recreation coordinator, has greater than held up on its finish, forcing an NFL-high 14 turnovers. Linebacker Devin Lloyd (4 interceptions, one fumble restoration) is among the league’s most improved gamers. ESPN’s FPI offers the Jaguars a 75.4 % likelihood to succeed in the playoffs, the third-highest odds within the AFC, trailing the Buffalo Bills (92.2 %) and Colts (85 %).

5. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

“I’m processing it poorly to tell you the truth,” first-year Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, 74, advised reporters after his workforce’s 40-6 trouncing on the Colts final Sunday.

“I did expect to win right out of the chutes,” Carroll added. Technically, Las Vegas did, defeating the New England Patriots (3-2) in Week 1. But 4 consecutive losses have dimmed hopes of a playoff run and as an alternative raised vital questions, notably at quarterback.

Geno Smith, acquired in a commerce with the Seattle Seahawks within the offseason, has regressed considerably after a powerful three-year run as Seahawks starter. Through 5 video games, Smith leads the NFL in interceptions (9), throwing one on 5.5 % of his move makes an attempt, greater than double his fee from 2022-24 (2.1 %).

Instead of contending for a postseason spot, the Raiders, a longtime doormat,  are nearer to the No. 1 decide. Las Vegas is projected to finish the season with the league’s fifth-worst file, per ESPN. The extra issues change, the extra they keep the identical.