Buy or Sell NFL Teams Looking to End Playoff Droughts in 2025

The NFL defines parity. 

The result is fun. Rarely do teams go long without being at least somewhat competitive, as free agency, the salary cap and the draft make it easy to move from bad to good (and good to bad) in short periods.

However, 10 NFL teams are riding playoff droughts spanning three-plus seasons. With rosters generally taking shape following the draft, let's check out each of their chances to get back into the Super Bowl mix in 2025. 

Current playoff odds courtesy of DraftKings

Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Last playoff appearance: 2021 (lost WC to Rams)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +130 (T-16th)

Why one might sell: Even with the NFC West playing soft, and with Kyler Murray healthy and complemented by a shiny new receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr., they finished 2024 in third place with a losing record. 

Why we're buying: The trajectory is there for Murray and Harrison to make strides as their supporting cast improves in an increasingly weak division. They'll pull off a sneaky division title for the first time since 2015.

Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

Last playoff appearance: 2021 (lost WC to Bengals)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +330 (27th)

Why one might buy: Geno Smith comes to town to stabilize the quarterback position, and there’s no shortage of top-end talent around him with Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty and Kolton Miller in key spots. 

Why we're selling: Smith has proven time and again to be untrustworthy, the defense may still be a liability, and division rivals Denver and Los Angeles appear to be gaining steam toward Kansas City at a faster rate than the Raiders. They'll finish dead last again.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Last playoff appearance: 2021 (lost WC to Bills)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +130 (T-16th)

Why one might buy: They’ve made significant, proactive changes to further support rising quarterback Drake Maye on both sides of the ball and could very well be one of the most improved teams in the NFL. 

Why we're selling: Even a major stride from a 13-loss 2024 campaign won’t likely be enough in a division featuring the Super Bowl-contending Bills and a conference containing Baltimore, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Denver, Miami and the Chargers (all of whom have far more talent than New England).

Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Last playoff appearance: 2021 (lost Divisional Round to Bengals)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +370 (28th)

Why one might buy: The AFC South has been somewhat erratic, and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward brings a degree of optimism and excitement to a team that was in football purgatory. 

Why we're selling: This is still a team that hasn’t won a home game in regulation since 2023. They do have plenty of experience, but those vets (Dan Moore Jr., Kevin Zeitler, Tyler Lockett) may just be doing more harm than good to this rebuild. The Titans aren’t a factor right now.

Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Last playoff appearance: 2020 (lost WC to Saints)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +150 (T-19th)

Why one might buy: Top 2024 pick Caleb Williams should continue to ascend behind a completely retooled offensive line, and the defense already proved last year that it has the potential to be a top-10 unit. Plus, there’s the presence of new head coach Ben Johnson.

Why we're selling: Williams and Johnson may still need some time to come together, and the same goes for that almost entirely new line. They should improve on a five-win 2024 campaign, but it won't be enough in arguably the league’s toughest division.

Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Last playoff appearance: 2020 (lost WC to Bills)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +200 (25th)

Why one might buy: As we noted with Tennessee, the AFC South is a wild card of a division. The Texans could collapse after showing cracks last year, the Jaguars constantly underdeliver and the Titans are a major work in progress. If Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones can break out, who knows. 

Why we're selling: Richardson and Jones have given me zero indication either is capable of suddenly breaking out, and the Texans and Jags both have significant talent edges on Indy in a division that is likely to produce just one playoff team.

New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Last playoff appearance: 2020 (lost Divisional Round to Buccaneers)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +600 (30th)

Why one might buy: They typically hang around in a division with no elite teams. 

Why we're selling: They’re still at least the third-worst team in that division, with a major question mark at quarterback. It’s hard to see how the 2025 Saints are significantly better than a squad that won just five games in 2024 (despite starting 2-0).

Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Last playoff appearance: 2017 (lost Divisional Round to Eagles)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +155 (T-21st)

Why one might sell: They haven’t even posted a winning record since that 2017 campaign, and now there’s a wild card at quarterback for a team that may still have problems on defense. 

Why we're buying: It may be time for the Bucs to fall off a cliff after hanging onto a bad division by a thread in recent years, paving the way for an Atlanta team that is loaded with offensive talent. If Michael Penix Jr. can come through in his first full season as the starting quarterback, they'll easily win the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Nell Redmond

Last playoff appearance: 2017 (lost WC to Saints)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +230 (26th)

Why one might buy: See above regarding the potentially wide-open NFC South, and throw in that it’s entirely possible 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young takes a massive step forward in his third season. 

Why we're selling: It’s also possible Young fails to do so, as he’s been less than an asset for much of his career to date and, even with Tetairoa McMillan joining the fray, he doesn’t have as much support as Penix in Atlanta or Baker Mayfield in Tampa. The NFC South is likely to send just one team to the playoffs, and it’s unlikely to be Carolina.

New York Jets

AP Photo/Noah K. Murray

Last playoff appearance: 2010 (lost AFC Championship Game to Steelers)

Odds to make 2025 playoffs: +475 (29th)

Why one might buy: The third city could be a charm for uniquely talented new Jets quarterback Justin Fields, who does have a strong young offensive line, a skilled pass-catching corps and considerable defensive support. 

Why we're selling: The AFC East and conference are hell, and Fields couldn’t make the cut as a passer in Chicago and Pittsburgh. I’m not entirely counting the Jets out, but it’s hard to see a path unless Fields shocks the football world.