Which NFL Teams Have the Best Chance of Going From Worst to First in 2025?

Last NFL season represented the first time since 2019 that a team did not go from worst to first in its division. 

It has happened 19 times since 2003, so there's a good chance it will happen at least once in 2025. 

Here's a rundown of which teams have the best shot.

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Joe Flacco

Why they can: Joe Flacco has the experience and has aged well, and they at least have several intriguing alternatives at quarterback. Meanwhile, Myles Garrett might be the best defensive player in the game. The Bengals and Steelers haven't proved themselves to be overly trustworthy, and you never know with the sometimes-fragile Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. 

Why they can't: Flacco is 40, and the odds aren't in favor of any of those quarterbacks. This was a three-win team in 2024 and doesn't look much better on paper in 2025, especially in a division with three teams that should challenge for playoff spots at the very least. 

Prediction: The circus continues in Cleveland as they finish last again.

Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

Pete Carroll

Why they can: There's renewed energy with a new quarterback (Geno Smith), running back (Ashton Jeanty) and coaching staff (featuring Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly), and the Raiders already had some elite parts at tight end (Brock Bowers), left tackle (Kolton Miller) and edge (Maxx Crosby).

Why they can't: Smith has probably peaked at this point in his career, and the Raiders are likely to experience some growing pains with the roster and staff coming together. They are also stuck in a division with the juggernaut Chiefs and the surging Broncos and Chargers. 

Prediction: The Raiders just aren't there yet. Maybe they improve from four wins to six or seven, but that still likely means fourth place in the AFC West.

New York Giants

AP Photo/Gregory Payan

Russell Wilson

Why they can: The NFC East is almost always an unpredictable mess, and the G-Men at least have a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Russell Wilson. It's possible he vibes with young star receiver Malik Nabers and the defense takes off immediately to start the Abdul Carter era, while the Eagles suffer a post-Super Bowl hangover and the Commanders endure a sophomore slump for Jayden Daniels. 

Why they can't: A first division win for the Giants since 2011 would also require the talented Cowboys to suffer from something. The Giants still have plenty of holes coming off a three-win campaign and Wilson could easily be toast. Throw in that their three division rivals all could be Super Bowl contenders, and the task is likely too tall even if it all comes together for Brian Daboll's team. 

Prediction: Wilson, Nabers and even the defense show promise to an extent. They will still finish last, though.

Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Cam Ward

Why they can: The AFC South could again be wide open, with untrustworthy Jacksonville a wild card, Houston facing the pressure of a disappointing 2024 campaign and Indianapolis dealing with a not-so-awesome quarterback battle. Meanwhile, the sky's the limit for No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward under center for a Titans team with nothing to lose. 

Why they can't: As soft as the South could be, the odds of all of those teams collapsing together are quite low. None were great in 2024, but the Titans still lagged way behind with three wins. This is a rebuild, and a shabbily supported Ward will almost certainly need time. 

Prediction: Another last-place finish for a team that remains at least a year away, even in that division.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Craig Lassig

Drake Maye

Why they can: Drake Maye made significant strides as a rookie quarterback and now has significantly more help in every facet thanks to offseason changes at the skill positions, along the offensive line and on defense. Experienced new head coach Mike Vrabel could also fire up a team with nothing to lose, and the Jets and Dolphins could have their issues. 

Why they can't: The Bills. Plain and simple. It would realistically require some major injuries in Buffalo for the Patriots to go from four wins in 2024 to a shocking division crown in 2025. Buffalo has won the division with double-digit victories in each of the last five seasons. It's also possible this will be an adjustment year considering all of the change in Foxborough. 

Prediction: New England could leapfrog Miami and New York if it all breaks right, but Buffalo is too tall a task. And even if the Bills did fall apart, the odds of that happening to them and the Jets and Dolphins are astronomical.

Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Caleb Williams

Why they can: Sophomore No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams should be expected to make progress, especially with a totally revamped offensive line and the tutelage of new head coach Ben Johnson. On paper, the Bears have the ingredients in terms of talent and experience to win a division now. 

Why they can't: They are in the wrong division, as the Lions might be the most talented team in the NFL, while the Packers and Vikings are also prime contenders coming off double-digit campaigns. 

Prediction: A five-win team from 2024 improves significantly but also experiences some transitional road bumps and again finishes last in the mighty NFC North.

New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Tyler Shough

Why they can: The NFC South could also be wide open. The Falcons are essentially working with a rookie quarterback and a questionable defense, the Panthers are a tremendous work in progress, and the Bucs may not be trustworthy considering their aging roster and mistake-prone quarterback. Meanwhile, New Orleans still has plenty of lingering experience on both sides of the ball. And you never know if one of its young quarterbacks could sneak up on the league. 

Why they can't: Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough are massive question marks under center, and the Saints have been bleeding talent throughout the roster in recent years. This feels like an adjustment season, and the Falcons and Bucs clearly still have serious legs up. 

Prediction: They could hang around in the mix for a good part of the season, but the talent delta is severe and the quarterbacks remain unproven. They finish third or fourth in the NFC South. 

San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Kyle Shanahan

Why they can: They did it with a similar core in 2022 and 2023 before injuries blew up their 2024 campaign (they led the league in adjusted games lost by a huge margin). Better luck there alone could do the trick in a division that they’re favored to win at DraftKings. 

Why they can't: They have now waved goodbye to key veterans Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, Aaron Banks and Deebo Samuel, while Brandon Aiyuk appears to be far from recovered from a major knee injury. There's no guarantee they will stay healthy outside of that or Brock Purdy will get back on track under center. Nobody else in the division is expected to dominate, but none is expected to be a weak link, either. 

Prediction: They earn the top spot in a tight battle with three good-not-great teams in the NFC West.