1 Roster Flaw That Can Derail the 2025 Season for Each NFL Super Bowl Contender
Even in an offseason filled with optimism, fanbases should also consider what could go wrong with their NFL teams.
Every year, fans' hopes turn into despair when their team can't overcome its flaws. Sometimes, clubs are able to correct those issues early with personnel changes, roster moves and tweaks to game plans.
Other times, a team's downfall seems inevitable.
Usually, the mediocre and bottom-tier clubs have clear weaknesses. So, we have highlighted the worst-case scenario for each Super Bowl contender.
Using DraftKings, these 10 teams have the best odds to win Super Bowl LX, and we'll tell you the biggest issue each could face in 2025.
Philadelphia Eagles: Offense Struggles Under New Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo
1 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +650
The Philadelphia Eagles offense could have a rocky start or finish with a first-time pro offensive play-caller.
Remember, following the 2022 campaign, the Eagles lost offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.
After a strong start in the first half of the 2023 campaign, the Philadelphia offense sputtered in several games following a Week 10 bye. It averaged 21.1 points for the remainder of the term and scored fewer than 20 points in five of those games, including a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs.
The Eagles relieved Brian Johnson of his offensive play-caller duties last offseason.
Yes, the defense deserves much blame for a disappointing 2023 term, giving up the third-most points, but Jalen Hurts regressed slightly, and the offense was ineffective in the most important stretch of the season.
This offseason, the Eagles lost Kellen Moore, who accepted the offer for the New Orleans Saints head coaching position, and promoted Kevin Patullo to fill the offensive coordinator role.
Like Johnson in 2023, Patullo will call plays for the first time in his NFL career. Perhaps his experience as a passing game coordinator bodes well for the Eagles' aerial attack, but he must be able to set the game flow and make critical decisions as the offensive coordinator.
The Eagles defense should remain stout with Vic Fangio still in place, but one has to wonder if Patullo can optimize the talent on the offensive side of the ball.
Baltimore Ravens: Developing Guards Limit Derrick Henry's Impact In Run Game
2 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +700
On the other side of 30, Derrick Henry has shown he can still carry a heavy workload. He finished with the second-most carries (325) last season.
Except for an injury-riddled 2021 campaign, the 31-year-old has finished within the top two in rush attempts.
With all the wear and tear on Henry's legs, he may need more help from his offensive line than in years past.
The Baltimore Ravens lost versatile offensive lineman Patrick Mekari in free agency. Last year, he started at left guard in most of the games.
This year, Andrew Vorhees is in line to start at left guard, while Daniel Faalele looks to improve in his second full year as a starter.
Vorhees only started in three games last season. Faalele fared well as a pass-blocker, giving up one sack, but he committed six penalties, per Pro Football Focus.
If Vorhees hadn't torn his ACL during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, a team would've probably drafted him before the seventh round. Nonetheless, that early setback, coupled with his pro inexperience, leaves a question mark at left guard. The Ravens need Faalele to be cleaner with his execution.
Henry is a 6'2", 247-pound locomotive, but even he needs solid blocking against stout run defenses.
Buffalo Bills: Lack of Star Power Around Josh Allen In Big Moments
3 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +700
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs are the biggest obstacles in the Buffalo Bills' pathway to a Super Bowl title.
The Chiefs have beaten the Bills in four of the last six postseasons.
Buffalo can match its rival at quarterback with 2024 MVP Josh Allen, who's capable of making spectacular game-winning plays as a passer and ball-carrier, but the team may not have enough around its star quarterback.
Last offseason, Kansas City drafted explosive wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who made strides late in the 2024 campaign. He caught 19 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs. He has momentum entering his second year, and fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice will return from injury.
Buffalo has great depth at wide receiver with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Elijah Moore, Joshua Palmer and Curtis Samuel on the roster, but who's going to be the go-to target in clutch moments?
In 2024, Shakir led the Bills in catches (76) and receiving yards (821), but he didn't eclipse 67 receiving yards in their playoff games. And with a higher volume of targets, the 25-year-old saw a significant drop-off in big plays downfield.
The Bills shouldn't have to rely on Allen having an MVP year to reach the NFL mountaintop. If two-time Pro Bowl running back James Cook holds out in the summer after reporting to mandatory minicamp, Allen may not have the playmakers around him to get this team over the hump.
The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia believes Coleman is primed for a breakout season, and the Bills need it. If the second-year wideout can build on a rookie campaign in which he averaged 19.2 yards per catch, they may have the firepower to break through for a Super Bowl appearance.
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Kansas City Chiefs: Left Side of the Offensive Line
4 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +750
In Super Bowls LV and LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs, particularly Patrick Mahomes, struggled mightily against dominant defenses, resulting in blowout losses.
Even the league's best quarterback performs poorly when his offensive line crumbles under pressure.
The Chiefs could open the season with two inexperienced starters on Mahomes' blind side, which isn't ideal for a strong start to the campaign.
Kansas City traded two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, which created a vacancy at left guard and stripped them of an emergency plan at left tackle.
Last season, Wanya Morris struggled at left tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed five sacks and committed 11 penalties. The Chiefs can insert career backup Jaylon Moore or rookie first-rounder Josh Simmons into that spot.
In four years, Moore has started in 12 games. Simmons, though he has a ton of potential, is working his way back from a torn patellar tendon.
Kingsley Suamataia, who opened the previous season at left tackle, will transition to guard. He didn't line up on the interior in college. At BYU, he made 22 starts at tackle.
If the Chiefs swing and miss again at left tackle, with a project on the same side of the line, Mahomes will face a ton of pressure all season.
Detroit Lions: Roster Struggles to Adjust with 2 New Coordinators
5 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +1000
The Detroit Lions should refer to the Philadelphia Eagles' 2023 season as a cautionary tale about what could happen when a team replaces its offensive and defensive coordinators.
Like the Eagles in 2023, the Lions' talent could help them beat less talented teams early in the season before the play-calling impacts the end-game results late in the year. By the way, Detroit has a tough schedule, facing seven teams outside its division that made the playoffs last year.
The Lions will have little room for error with John Morton, who has only called plays for one full season in 2017, and first-time defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who's coached the team's linebackers over the last four years.
While Detroit may try to carry over some principles from the previous coordinators, the turnover within the coaching ranks could result in regression for one or both sides of the ball.
Washington Commanders: A Lackluster Pass-Rushing Defensive Front
6 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +1800
The Washington Commanders would be foolish to stiff wide receiver Terry McLaurin on a new contract. Despite his holdout at mandatory minicamp, expect the team to work out a new deal with him.
The Commanders can't fix their pass rush with a contract extension, though.
Washington lost its 2024 sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency. It needs defensive tackle Daron Payne to get after the quarterback as he did in 2022 with 11.5 sacks, or Dorance Armstrong must take a significant leap in his second year as a full-time starter on the edge.
At linebacker, Frankie Luvu can supplement the pass rush. He's logged 20.5 sacks over the last three years.
Without a consistent push up front, though, the Commanders can find themselves in several scoring shootouts because of their lackluster pass rush.
In 2024, quarterback Jayden Daniels had an impressive rookie run that included jaw-dropping game-winning plays. He engineered four game-winning drives and fourth-quarter comebacks.
That said, Washington shouldn't rely on late-game heroics to win contests. Its defense, specifically the pass rush, must help close out nail-biters.
San Francisco 49ers: Key Offensive Starters Physically Falling Apart
7 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +2000
When healthy, running back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams are arguably the best players at their respective positions. In 2023, the former won the rushing title, and the latter completed his third consecutive All-Pro campaign.
Last year, though, they played 14 games combined.
McCaffrey has missed at least 10 games in three of the last five years. He has 1,871 touches on his resume and may not take on a massive workload with all the wear and tear on his body. Head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted that the team will be careful with its star running back's workload.
After missing seven games in 2024, Williams is entering his age-37 term. He hasn't played through a full season since 2013. The San Francisco 49ers should expect him to miss at least a couple of games, but they don't have quality depth behind the 11-time Pro Bowler. Backup left tackle Andre Dillard, a 2019 first-rounder, hasn't come close to meeting the expectations of his draft status.
The 49ers can try to preserve McCaffrey by increasing Isaac Guerendo's role and inserting rookie fifth-rounder Jordan James into the backfield rotation, but neither compares to the elite dual-threat running back. San Francisco will see a notable drop-off when McCaffrey steps off the field.
If McCaffrey and Williams are spectators for extended periods like last year, expect San Francisco to finish with a sub-.500 record. The 49ers' backups at running back and left tackle won't be enough to get them to the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers: Absence of a Reliable Go-To Wide Receiver
8 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +2000
In 2024, no Green Bay Packers receiver caught more than 55 passes. Jayden Reed led the team in most receiving categories, and he only racked up more than 50 receiving yards in six out of 17 contests.
In an interview with 97.3 The Game, running back Josh Jacobs said the quiet part out loud. The Packers needed a No. 1 receiver. Team brass seemed to agree with him because Green Bay drafted a wideout in the first round for the first time since 2002.
Rookie Matthew Golden has a big role to fill for two reasons. With his speed, he has to be the big-play receiver while Christian Watson recovers from a torn ACL.
Secondly, if the No. 23 overall pick isn't the missing piece on offense to elevate the passing attack, the Packers could fall short against top-tier opponents because they wouldn't have an explosive or star perimeter receiver to get them over the top.
Remember, Golden wasn't a dominant collegiate receiver. Even in his 2024 breakout year, he finished second on Texas' roster in receptions with 58. He can produce big plays, but he may take another year or two to become the Packers' lead receiver.
Cincinnati Bengals: A Depleted Pass-Rushing Group in Peril
9 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +2000
In 2024, quarterback Joe Burrow did everything possible to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to the playoffs, throwing for 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
Still, they missed the postseason, mostly because of a leaky defense that ranked 25th in scoring and yards.
The Bengals' 2025 campaign may be a repeat of the previous season.
Cincinnati fired Lou Anarumo and hired Al Golden to fill the defensive coordinator position. The 55-year-old is familiar with the Bengals roster, having coached the team's linebackers between 2020 and 2021.
However, he still needs the playmakers to execute his weekly game plans, and the Bengals are short on talent at defensive end because of contractual issues with All-Pro Trey Hendrickson and rookie first-rounder Shemar Stewart.
Hendrickson wants a lucrative long-term extension. He says Cincinnati has broken a promise and made low-ball offers after his best season. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, some believe he is willing to miss games in this contract standoff.
Meanwhile, Stewart expressed his frustrations with team brass amid a contract dispute. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the No. 17 overall pick and the team are at odds over training camp bonus money.
With Sam Hubbard's retirement this offseason, the Bengals, by their own doing, could head into the 2025 campaign undermanned at defensive end and lacking a pass rush.
Even if Cincinnati agrees to terms with Stewart before Week 1, as a rookie, he's missed meaningful spring reps, which may impact his start to the season. Hendrickson doesn't seem ready to compromise.
Los Angeles Rams: A Mediocre Secondary Without an Accomplished Cornerback
10 of 10
Super Bowl odds: +2200
The Los Angeles Rams have a budding group of defenders in the front seven that includes 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Kobie Turner.
Fiske, Young and Turner recorded 24 sacks combined last season. Yet the Rams defense ranked 20th in passing yards and tied for fifth in touchdown passes allowed. They tied for sixth in net passing yards allowed per attempt.
Los Angeles needs help in the secondary. So, it makes sense that it has discussed a trade for seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who won a Super Bowl as an All-Pro with the club in 2021.
For now, the Rams have a young cornerback who flashed last season in Cobie Durant and two placeholder starters, Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon.
They need a proven high-level playmaker at the position. Ramsey still fits the bill. Last year, he recorded 11 pass breakups and two interceptions while surrendering a passer rating of 83.2 in coverage.
If Los Angeles doesn't acquire Ramsey, Durant could be under a lot of pressure as a full-time second-year starter. In 2024, Williams struggled in coverage, allowing a 101.7 passer rating. Witherspoon has durability concerns, missing at least four games in six out of eight seasons.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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