2025 NFC Preview: One key storyline for each team

It’s officially that time of year when there won’t be a week without NFL football until February 2026.

The 2025 season kicks off with a bang on Thursday when the Dallas Cowboys head to Philadelphia and get to watch their division rivals raise a Super Bowl banner.

And unlike over in the AFC, where there is a legitimate argument that at least three different teams should be the conference favourite, there’s a clear top dog in the NFC.

After one of the most dominant runs through the NFL post-season, which ended with a shellacking of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the Philadelphia Eagles deserve to be the team to beat until we see otherwise.

But there are plenty of worthy challengers, and to get you set for another NFL season, we’re looking at one key storyline for each team. Yesterday, it was the AFC. Now, it’s the NFC’s turn.

Detroit Lions
2024 record: 15–2, lost in Divisional Round vs. Commanders

Storyline we’re watching: Dan Campbell’s biggest test yet.

The one problem that comes along with transitioning from perennial basement dweller to Super Bowl contender is that other teams will try and steal from that success. Detroit learned that the hard way this off-season when coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were both poached to lead teams of their own. Head coach Dan Campbell remains, but with the loss of both coordinators and the fact that his team plays in arguably the toughest division in football, the Lions’ fearless leader has his work cut out for him in 2025.

Minnesota Vikings
2024 record: 14–3, lost in Wild Card Round vs. Rams

Storyline we’re watching: J.J. McCarthy time.

The Vikings may very well be the hardest team to predict how they’ll do this season, based solely on the fact that their second-year QB has still not played a down of regular-season football. After losing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus, the Vikings are now 22-year-old JJ McCarthy’s team. It’s a pretty good situation to come into, as the Vikings have a loaded roster on both sides of the ball and a quarterback whisperer as their head coach. If Kevin O’Connell can work his magic with McCarthy, there’s no reason the Vikings shouldn’t be mixing it up at the top of the conference.

Green Bay Packers
2024 record: 11–6, lost in Wild Card Round vs. Eagles

Storyline we’re watching: No more excuses.

The Packers made arguably the biggest move of the off-season when they traded for superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons and addressed one of their most glaring needs. Add in the fact that they finally drafted a WR in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft to give Jordan Love another weapon, and anything less than a deep playoff run should be seen as a disappointment in Green Bay.

Chicago Bears
2024 record: 5–12, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Ben Johnson + Caleb Williams = ???

It’s safe to say Caleb Williams’ rookie season was a disappointment. But the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football and the Bears addressed that weakness in a major way this off-season. Even more importantly, Chicago was able to secure the top offensive mind on the head coaching market by bringing in Lions offensive architect Ben Johnson to run the team. There is massive pressure on Johnson to bring the best out of Williams and finally give Bears fans the franchise quarterback they’ve been waiting on for decades.

Philadelphia Eagles
2024 record: 14–3, won Super Bowl LIX vs. Chiefs

Storyline we’re watching: Super Bowl hangover?

It’s really hard to find a weakness in the team that Eagles GM Howie Roseman has built in Philadelphia. With probably the most complete roster in the entire league, there is a reason they are the betting favourites to repeat as Super Bowl champions. But heavy is the head that wears the crown, and along with having a target on their back all season, they also have the fourth-hardest schedule in the league. Oh, did we mention the NFC East also hasn’t had a repeat division winner since 2004? That streak should be in major jeopardy this season, but as we’ve learned far too often in the NFL, nothing is guaranteed, even for a team as talented as the Eagles.

Washington Commanders
2024 record: 12–5, lost in NFC Championship vs. Eagles

Storyline we’re watching: Jayden Daniels vs. sophomore slump

Unlike Williams in Chicago, Jayden Daniels had a rookie season most QBs can only dream about. Not only did he set numerous rookie records en route to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year, he also led the Commanders to their first conference title game since 1991. But the book is now out on the talented young signal caller, as teams now have a full year of Daniels tape to study. The sophomore slump is real, just ask C.J. Stroud, but if Daniels can even improve slightly in his rookie season, we might be talking about more than just a conference championship appearance in Washington.

Dallas Cowboys
2024 record: 7–10, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Prescott’s return

The Cowboys are another tough team to predict this season, as they have a roster riddled with question marks which was only amplified by their decision to trade Parsons to the Packers. But the best thing that the Cowboys have going for them is that franchise quarterback Dak Prescott is back after an injury ended his 2024 season early. When Prescott has played the entire season, Dallas has never had a losing record. But with Parsons gone, even more onus will be on Prescott to stay healthy and help the offence be the strength of the team.

New York Giants
2024 record: 3–14, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Dominant defensive front

The Giants have major questions on the offensive side of the ball, most notably at the quarterback position. But for all the concern on offence, the Giants might very well have the best positional grouping in the entire league on the other side of the ball. After drafting Abdul Carter No. 3 in the draft, the Giants now have a defensive front that boasts Carter, Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. It will be nearly impossible for opposing offences to contain those four, and the Giants could very well win a few games based solely on the strength of their defensive line.

SOUTH

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024 record: 10–7, lost in Wild Card round vs. Commanders

Storyline we’re watching: Can they withstand early injuries?

The Buccaneers bring back the core of the team that won a fourth straight NFC South title last season. The only problem is that a few of those key pieces won’t be playing to start the season. Tampa is expected to start the season without the services of All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, as well as wide receivers Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. If the early injuries prove too much to overcome, the NFC South crown could be changing hands.

Atlanta Falcons
2024 record: 8–9, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Is the Michael Penix Jr. hype legit?

After a season riddled with quarterback controversy, there’s no question about the starter in Atlanta this year. Second-year signal caller Michael Penix Jr. will start Week 1, where he will make just his fourth career start. The Falcons coaching staff has been raving about Penix all off-season, and with weapons like Bijan Robinson and Drake London around him, if Penix lives up to expectations, the Falcons should have a top-10 offence that can make some noise.

Carolina Panthers
2024 record: 5–12, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Bryce Young’s progression

It’s hard not to root for Bryce Young. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has had anything but a linear progression to date. After a rocky rookie season, Young was benched at one point in 2024 but then returned to the starting gig and finished last season playing the best football of his NFL career thus far. The Panthers then added WR Tetairoa McMillan in the draft to give Young a legitimate No. 1 option for the first time in his career. How Young progresses in Year 3 will have a huge impact on the direction of the Panthers franchise moving forward.

New Orleans Saints
2024 record: 5–12, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: From Hurts to Rattler and Shough

It could be a long year for new Saints head coach Kellen Moore. Fresh off winning a Super Bowl as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, Moore is now tasked with turning around a Saints team that won just five games last season. He also has to do it with major question marks at the most important position. Spencer Rattler won the No. 1 QB job over rookie Tyler Shough, but if neither of them looks the part, Saints fans could spend a lot of time watching college football this season and looking toward 2026.

WEST

Los Angeles Rams
2024 record: 10–7, lost in Divisional Round vs. Eagles

Storyline we’re watching: Stafford’s back, back again… no but seriously, how is his back?

The Rams’ entire season hinges on the health of their 37-year-old QB. Matthew Stafford missed nearly the entire first month of training camp dealing with an aggravated disk in his back, but is expected to start Week 1. If he stays upright all season, the Rams have a young, talented defensive line and a receiver duo in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams that can aid Stafford on his quest for a second Super Bowl. But if Stafford misses time, the season could get away from L.A. in a hurry.

Seattle Seahawks
2024 record: 10–7, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Darnold magic 2.0?

The Seahawks defence has a chance to be one of the top units in the league, but it’s the other side of the ball that will decide their season. Seattle’s offence underwent a major overhaul this off-season, headlined by the decision to trade QB Geno Smith and bring in Sam Darnold to call the shots. Darnold revived his career last season with the Vikings, but now he has to prove that 2024 was more than just a flash in the pan.

Arizona Cardinals
2024 record: 8–9, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Clock is ticking for Kyler Murray

Now entering his seventh NFL season, it’s still hard to pinpoint exactly what the Cardinals have in quarterback Kyler Murray. At times he plays like a top-10 QB, but then other times his decision-making goes by the wayside and he leaves you scratching your head. With Trey McBride at tight end and a second season with Marvin Harrison Jr., if Murray struggles in 2025, questions about his future in Arizona will rightfully begin to arise.

San Francisco 49ers
2024 record: 6–11, missed playoffs

Storyline we’re watching: Can core pillars buy revamped roster enough time to take shape?

Arguably no team had a more disappointing 2024 season than the 49ers. While some of that can be attributed to key injuries, GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan still decided to completely overhaul the roster this off-season. The 49ers will be relying heavily on their last two draft classes to step into new and bigger roles. But they also have a core that includes QB Brock Purdy, RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle, OL Trent Williams, LB Fred Warner and DE Nick Bosa to be a stabilizing force while the new faces get settled. Now they all just need to stay healthy…