From unlikely division crowns to long-shot award winners, who knows what the NFL season will dish out this year. No matter what happens, it's good to remind everyone that bold predictions are ones unlikely to happen but have the slightest chance of proving everyone wrong.
And when you're done, be sure to check out of division winner predictions and top rookies to watch this season!
Now, let's get into the bold predictions.
10. Arizona Cardinals win the NFC West
The Cards haven't won the West since 2015. And even though the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams pose better teams on paper, it's not too much to say - don't overlook the Cardinals.
After leading the division in total points and second in points given up last season, the Cardinals only got better. However, since Kyler Murray became the starting quarterback in 2020, Arizona has only posted one winning record - in 2021 when they went 11-6.
Their 8-9 record in 2024 was just two games behind Seattle and Los Angeles, so it isn't like they were bottom feeders of the league either. It's also worth noting that six of their nine losses in 2024 were decided by 10 points or less.
Now, this year, they have the sixth-easiest strength of schedule. So be on the lookout for the Cardinals.
9. Bo Nix becomes a top 5 MVP candidate
Anyone who watched the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback last season knows the sky is the limit for Nix. If he can limit the interceptions, the potential is all there.
Nix was top 10 in touchdown rate last season, top five in sacks taken (24), which was better than Ravens star QB Lamar Jackson, and just over 200 yards away from a 4,000-yard season.
With a little more experience under his belt, Nix is only going to get better. Now, the problem is that the talent field is mighty crowded with Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and so forth. But a top-five candidate might not be too much of a stretch for some, especially Broncos fans. Either way, Nix deserves a little more credit.
8. Kyle Pitts reaches 1,000 receiving yards
The 24-year-old Atlanta Falcons tight end hasn't eclipsed 1,000 yards since his rookie season. In fact, he hasn't come close. His 667 yards during the 2023 season were the closest he's gotten to returning to that point in his career.
Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s few starts at the end of the year last season were underwhelming, and he didn't tend to favor Pitts either, with just 10 targets (six receptions), 66 yards, and one touchdown.
But players tend to put up career numbers in a contract year. And with Pitts set to become a free agent after this season, he needs to go all-out if he wants a big payday come the offseason.
7. Chicago Bears finish the year top 10 in yards per game
In 2024, the Bears were dead last (32nd) in yards per game (284.6), second-to-last in passing yards per game (181.5), and 28th in points per game (19.2), but I dare say the Bears do a complete turnaround this year.
With a revamped coaching system, playbook, and offensive line, the Bears have the talent to make them a top-10 offensive threat. It's a long shot, but definitely possible.
In 2022, the Los Angeles Rams were 32nd in yards per game. Then, a year later, they finished the season ranked 7th. Who's to say the Bears can't do the same?
6. Christian McCaffrey plays 15+ games
Since 2020, the San Francisco 49ers' star running back has only played in two full seasons. He played in only four games last season after dealing with multiple injuries, including Achilles tendonitis and a PCL injury in his right knee.
McCaffrey is the definition of an injury-prone running back. And with another year of taking hits and putting pressure on his body, added in with father time, even though he's 29 years old, it's a long shot to see McCaffrey play a full season without injuries.
However, he's got a lot to ride on his shoulders this season with the injuries and suspensions the 49ers' offensive players are facing heading into the new year. I think McCaffrey will shock everyone and rebound for a stellar year.
5. Ashton Jeanty rushes for over 1,500 yards
Only seven running backs in the entire history of the NFL have rushed for over 1,500 yards in their rookie seasons. Ezekiel Elliot, Alfred Morris, and Clinton Portis are the only three since 2000 to achieve the feat.
The Raiders' rushing attack ranked dead last (32nd) last season, and they're basically rolling out the same offensive line as well. So it's safe to say that Jeanty isn't going to have a walk-in-the-park rookie year. However, if someone could do it, it's Jeanty.
Perhaps Pete Carroll has brought new life to the Raiders system this season - who knows? It could be considered one of the biggest question marks of the year. But that's why it's a bold prediction.
4. Minnesota Vikings win the Super Bowl
Doesn't sound too much like a bold prediction for a team that made the playoffs last season with a defence that gave up the fifth-fewest points per game (19.5). But who knows how J.J. McCarthy will perform this season after Sam Darnold's resurgence in 2024.
If McCarthy proves his teammates and coaches right, showing that he's a bonafied franchise quarterback, then the Vikings undoubtedly have a chance to make a run. The problem is that there's also a massive chance the season could have a drastic turn for the worse - it all relies on McCarthy's shoulders.
But perhaps the team bringing back hometown favorite veteran Adam Thielen could help McCarthy and the offence even more this season.
With the way the Detroit Lions are stacked up, and now the Packers trading for one of the best defensive players in all of football, the NFC North just got that much more competitive, let alone the other teams in a rather stacked NFC this season. If the Vikings can stay healthy, and McCarthy proves to be even better than Darnold was last year - watch out.
3. Travis Hunter wins both Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year
Never in the history of the NFL has a rookie won both awards - but Travis Hunter could possibly make history if he stays healthy. Despite dealing with a nagging, insignificant injury during the preseason, the rookie is ready to go for Week 1.
In 2022, the New York Jets' rookies Sauce Gardner (CB) and Garrett Wilson (WR) took home the awards. Now, with Hunter listed as a starting wide receiver and second-string cornerback to start the year, he's got the best (long)shot at achieving what's never been done.
If we're basing what Hunter needs to do to achieve the award, Gardner posted 75 tackles, a league-leading 20 pass deflections, and two interceptions, while Wilson had 1,103 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns during their 2022 rookie campaigns.
So let's hope we get to witness something incredible this year.
2. New England Patriots earn a Wild Card spot
The Pats' offensive line received a much-needed boost with the signings of Garrett Bradbury (C) and Morgan Moses (RT), while also taking rookie Will Campbell (LT) with the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft.
Quarterback Drake Maye could see a lot more time to throw the ball this year, leading to much more promising results for the young QB.
It's not far-fetched to see one of the worst teams in the NFL have a turnaround year for the better. In 2023, the Washington Commanders went 4-13. Then, just this past season, they went to the NFC Championship under new head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, proving that a few right pieces can make all the difference.
They had one of the best offseasons overall and even beefed up their defense with signings such as DT Milton Williams and CB Carlton Davis III.
The Dolphins and the Jets are no real threat. The Chargers are already showing signs of the injury bug, which could potentially knock them out of Wild Card contention down the stretch. And the AFC South is the AFC South.
So while it might not be probable for one of the worst teams to do a complete 180 this year, it's undoubtedly possible.
1. Two players will have at least 10 interceptions
There are a couple of reasons why I listed this as my No. 1 bold prediction.
First is that only Trevon Diggs (11 in 2021) and Xavien Howard (10 in 2020) are the only ones since the start of the decade to have 10+ interceptions in a single season.
The last time a defensive back achieved that feat before them was Antonio Cromartie all the way back in 2007.
However, the last time the NFL saw two DBs have at least 10+ interceptions in the same season was in 2006 with Champ Bailey and Asante Samuel, who both had 10. The craziest part is that it made it back-to-back years in which this feat was achieved.
Ty Law (Patriots) and Deltha O'Neal (Bengals) also had 10 each in 2005, then Ronde Barber (Buccaneers) and Anthony Henry (Browns) in 2001.
Who will put it off? That, detective, is the right question.
In the past 10 years, only one player was in the top five in interceptions twice - C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2022, 2024). Every other year since 2016, the top five have always consisted of different players each season.
So this could be one of the best mysteries and podcast topics to be discussed for this season - who will rise to such an occasion?