Nov 01, 2025 - 13:01
By espn.com

Intel on NFL playoff races, MVP, Super Bowl and breakouts - ESPN

The first half of the 2025 NFL season featured something for everyone.

Competitive balance ruled. Thirteen teams enter Week 9 with at least five wins. Seven teams that missed the postseason in 2024 have a .500-or-better record this season. Close games were easy to find. About 64% of games (78 of 121) have been within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter, and 46% (56 of 121) were decided by seven points or fewer. And if you like blowouts, Week 8 gave you that. The Ravens were the surprise early flop. The Titans, Saints, Jets, Dolphins and more fueled the tank-obsessed fans.

At quarterback, we have the star turn (Drake Maye), the star-crazed comeback story (Dak Prescott), the curious case (Tua Tagovailoa) and the All-Rockports team (Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers). And for those who love to complain about officiating, well, there's plenty of that during the weekly 1 p.m. slate. Save a few clear-cut favorites, surprises are coming in several divisions. Even so, early contenders for Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8 are in.

ESPN marked the occasion by talking to a number of NFL executives, attempting to gauge where insiders believe certain division races are headed, as well as award contenders, ascending rookies and the two teams that will still be playing football in February. Here's what decision-makers around the NFL are saying about the second half of the season.

A convenient talking point leaguewide centers on whether the Patriots are back and if their momentum in the AFC East is sustainable. The consensus: Yes, the Patriots are for real, but not real