Howdy,
Well hand up, since I started the blog, I did not help us win together. I apologize thoroghly but hey it happens. I like our chances as we move forward. Especially now that I have us a garunteed money maker - live Bears spread whenever down 10 points or more. Cardiac Bears were a sight to witness.
Besides, us ending up losing together the 2025 season was amazing. We saw just about everything you could have possible imagine. Script wirters did good this season. Let's get into it with a team by team recap. I know this is a month and half after the NFL season and now everyone is focused on Free Agency and the Draft, but I will have a free agency/draft analysis blow as we approach May.
We will start with the Super Bowl Champs, Playoff teams, and then the rest of the league.
Seattle Seahawks: Your 2025 Super Bowl Champions. What a dominant year and playoff run. Mike McDonald was unbelievable in 2024, in his first year at the helm of an NFL ball club, going 10-7 and missing the playoffs. That 10-7 record comprised of 1 road loss against the best regular season team last year, the Detroit Lions. So it was no surprise that Mike McDonald is a elite-caliber NFL head coach.
Yet the entire talk going into the season was: "Can Sam Darnold actually lead a team that is not coached by quarterback whisper Kevin O'Connell." Turns out it was a resounding yes. Darnold played was a pro-bowl level quarterback throughout the entire season, linking up lawlessly with the 2025 recieving king Jaxson Smith-Njigba. Though the season did come with a few bumps in the road. Darnold over two regular season games against the Rams had 6 picks over the 2 regular season games, so the question still lingered, can he get it done when the lights are brightest. The Rams and Seahawks met in the NFC Championship, where Sam played lights out. 346 yards and 3 touchdowns and no turnovers. In the Super Bowl, Sam was efficient with average stats. The Seahawks leaned on their dominant defnese line and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker on offensive side of the ball.
Quick tidbit on K9 before we talk defense. Walker finally got the entire backfield to himself with the injury to Charbonnet, and man did he dominate. 313 yards and 4 touchdowns over the 3 game playoff run. Got paid in Kansas City, happy for him but pretty annoying Mahomes gets a new toy.
Now that defense, Seattle called themselves 'The Darkside' which is just pretty sick. Legion of Boom vibes, but just cooler with a lot of cool Dark Vader edits. More aura as the kids would say. They were able to get pressure with 4 which allowed them to play several different types of coverages on the back end. Just gave offenses fits. When they brought pressure it came from all over the place, Devon Witherspoon was a menace all over the field during the Super Bowl. Plus their second round pick Nick Emmanwori was dominant all year round and could have won the DROY.
Shoutout: JSN - just a stud as his first year as WR1, well deserved to get paid. Rasheed Shaheed - one of the best in season trades in recent memory.
New England Patriots: Runner-up Pats. Can't say it was hard watching them lose. Overall, they knew this year was not a Super Bowl team. The roster just was not there to make a deep run. They did only play like two playoffs teams in the regular season, splitting with the Bills and losing to the Steelers in the beginning of the season. Schedule merchant was a fun line that will haunt Drake Maye next year, but no doubt he looked the part of a future MVP of the league.
Playoffs they had an easy schedule once again. Chargers who entire o-line was hurt, CJ Stroud having one of the worst performances ever, then Bo Nix-less Broncocs. Jarett Stidham had juice for about one quarter then it was truly hard to watch. Great news is that you have your coach for next 10 years, Vrabel is the man and put the Patriots as contenders until he is no longer at the helm.
Now I am going to get a lot shorter as I go through the next teams. I am not Florio and cannot write for this long.
Denver Broncos: A great second year Bo Nix and third year Sean Payton. Bo looked like an upper tier NFL quarterback, with plenty of room to grow. You never knew what Bo you were going to get. He had a lot of Caleb Williams games where he looked like booty for three quarters and then made big time throws and runs during crunch time to secure 4th quarter wins. If he is healthy, a very good chance it would have been Denver vs Seattle, a rematch of 2013 season supey.
MVP: Denfensive Line, Cooper is a stud. Highlight of the season: Comeback win over Giants, scoring all 33 points in the 4th quarter.
Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford can still do it, thats for damn sure. There were rumors before the season that he could not walk for the entire season and retirement was evident. Nope just an MVP season throwing 46 TDs. It is easy to have 46 touchdowns when you have one absolute psycho, Puka, and one of the all time great fade runners, Davante Adams, as your two receivers. Puka was dominant, not only a phenomenal route runner but a guy that brings the punishment to the defender each time he is tackled. He is becoming the true diva receiver, we needed one since OBJ has left the limelight. Did he really bite that girl?? Overall, Rams are my favorites to come out of the NFC next year, a send off for Matt Stafford to solidfy his hall of Fame career.
MVP: Stafford / Nacua. Highlight of the season: Last minute drive vs the Panthers in the divisional round.
San Francisco 49ers: Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Substation to blame?? I highly doubt so but what a good 'what if' story to talk about. This story actually took away publicity from the Aiyuk drama. So I may take back my take on Puka as bring back diva recievers. The dude just goes radio silent and forfeits millions and no one knows why? The rest of the crew is still producing: Brock looks great, McCafe was just as dominant as he was before missing 2024 campaign, Kittle had one of his better years before tearing his achillies. Defense was just so hurt that they really could do nothing when playoffs came around.
MVP: Christian McCaffrey. Highlight of season: Shoutout win over Bears, specifically Brock Purdy's duggy - very clean.
Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans is a helluva coach. That defense was nails and absolutely carried them throughout the season. But, Danielle Hunter 40 mil? One year fair, but lot of money, good for him. No weapons on offense besides Nico Collins. Hard to blame CJ that much when they had a horrendous run game and below mid-tier recievers. With that being said, CJ blows. He just is nothing close to what we was as a rookie and gives the football away way too much. Big neck Mills would have given the Patriots a game in the playoffs.
MVP: Will Anderson / Danielle Hunter. Highlight of the season: Mills comeback vs Jaguars / Defensive stallworth in Pittsburg in the wildcard round.
Chicago Bears: Cardiac Bears. Ben Johnson. Caleb Williams. Electric factory. It was never a dull gameday for Chicago. It was very up-and-down. Either the offense stalled or the defnese was swiss cheese. Actually it often happened at the same time, yet the Cardiac Bears were never out of a game. 7 comeback wins in 2025. It was clockwork, Bears +325 live? Hammer. Lose winnings on SNF. Made for a fun sunday.
It was a historic step forward for the Bears organization. There seems to be a true star at quarterback with a head coach the time will die for. Now the question is: Are they going to be the Northwest Indiana Bears?
MVP: Ben Johnson. Highlight of the season: Comeback wildcard win vs the Packers / DJ Moore walkoff touchdown in OT vs Packers / 270+ yards on the road in Philly + Ben Johnson getting shirtless to feed families / Caleb to Kmet to force OT in divisional vs Rams / Colston OT walkoff in Cincinnati.
Buffalo Bills: The last straw for Sean McDermott. Has to hurt to see the Patriots get back to the Super Bowl without Brady. Josh is still in the gold standard category at the helm, but even with a career year from James Cook. They never could really figure it out offensively. It seems like when offense was on, defense lacked, and vice-versa. I still do not believe it was an interception in the divisional round vs Denver. Josh will get a ring before its all set and done.
They trade for DJ Moore to add some much needed reciever help, now they need to get the defense right for Joe Brady's first season as an NFL head coach.
MVP: James Cook. Highlight of the season: Comeback win in New England
Carolina Panthers: A great succesful year (they went 8-9)! Panthers win the NFC South for the first time since Cam Newton was the face of the league. Canales seems to be a good coach that gets the most out of his team, a heart-breaking loss at home vs the Rams is still a win of the season. Rico Dowdle with a career year acting as the bell cow carrying the Panthers through the middle of the season. That defense really seemed to gel as the season went on, with the help of Jalean Phillips, look for the defense to get better in 2026.
MVP: Rico Dowdle. Highlight of the season: Beating the Rams in regular season / winning NFC South with a losing record.
Jacksonville Jaguars: DUUUUUVVVVAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL. Boy did that meme die. Nothing matters if you win, and Liam Coen did a lot of it in his first year coaching the Jags. He turned Trevor Lawrence into a legit pro bowler (when pro bowls weren't just a beauty content voted by fans). He proved he can adjust his offensive scheme to fit the jags personnel, ETN had a great year, as did Christian Kirk adn the receiver out of Florida forgetting his name. 2nd best mid-year trade was for Jakobi Meyers from the Raiders. Really strange that Brian Thomas Jr did not continue his rookie success, hurt several fantasy teams and betting. As for the other high fantasy draft pick - Travis Hunter. I think you gotta stick him at either db or receiver, whichever one that matters the most to the team. He started balling at receiver before he got injured. Its the NFL you cant have that many snaps.
MVP: Liam Coen. Highlights of the season: Trevor Lawrence tripping over himself and beating the Chiefs on MNF.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Tomlin finally tossed out of the head coaching position for the Steelers. A true end of an era, will miss his wisdom, if we can even call it wisdom, at times its just wild analogies. Big boy Mike McCarthy coming back to home state to replace him, feels like a 1-2 year interim coach.
Steelers were hit or miss all year. Defense was solid nothing special outside TJ Watt, but the medical team tried to kill him. How does this keep happening? Maybe dry-needling stays away from the chest area, just a thought. The offense was only good if they could run the ball or get a couple turnovers on defense and have a short field. Rodgers was average, still an NFL starter but the juice that made him a god is gone. Can not move anymore like he used to.
MVP: Chris Boswell? He wasn't even that good. I don't know who the MVP should be. let's go with Cam Heyward because he was still doing it as a damn near grandfather. Highlight of the season: Beating the 8-1 Colts at home / Tyler Loop missing the game-winning field goal against Baltimore catpulting them to the division title and continuing Tomlin's +.500 record streak (still canned him).
Los Angeles Chargers: I love Jim Harbough, no chance spelled correctly but not time to fact check. I actually am writing on a plane so time is not of the essence but if you made it this far, just bear with me. Jim wants football players and he has a lot of them, unfortunately it hurts when your entire offensive line gets hurt which causes your running backs to get injured, then your warrior Madison Beer dating quarterback gets murdered every gameday. Justin Herbert is a warrior and he played great this year, people will keep asking "is he elite?". I think so and a healthier team will only just show that more.
MVP: Justin Herbert. Highlight of the season: Opening night win vs Chiefs / Comeback win vs Broncos / there has got to be one specific herbert bomb that happened
Philadelphia Eagles: Drama Drama Drama. Jalen Hurts aura farming with his dumb ass quotes. He was so bad this year, consistently missing throws or just not even targeting his all pro level receivers. Yes their OC was trash and should have been fired before October, but he still was so bad. WHen you are not worried about the pass, you can stack the box. Saquon did not nearly have the same caliber of year he had in 2024. They defense was still pretty good which kept them in games. The white boys at safeties split up, love Blackenship to the Texans.
MVP: Zach Baun, Jalen Carter, Quantonomo Bay, DeJean, Blackenship. Highlight of the season: I literally cannot think of one. I think Devonta Smith had a cool one handed catch. Boring ass team to watch.
Green Bay Packers: Horrible season, considering the expectations. Parsons tears his ACL, offensive line injuries, inconsistent QB play -> limp into the playoffs and blow a 21-3 lead to your arch rival. On top of that people are putting your head coach on the hot seat. 3 straight years as the 7 seed. Jordan Love shows flashes of greatness but then puts up stinkers against any good defenses. That loss at home to the Panthers was a tough watch. Kicker should be the highest priority this off-season.
MVP: Parsons pre injury / Dobbs (most consistent receiver). Highlight of the season: Dominance over the Lions, specifically Micah's first sack. Peeked way too early.
Now that the playoff teams are over with. I realized this is just a very long blog. I am only going to do MVP, one sentence summary and highlight of the season for the remainder of the teams.
Detroit Lions: MVP: Gibbs - fast. Lions under preformed after losing most of their coaching staff, expect a much improved year in 2026. Highlight of the season: Gibbs walkoff 80 yards TD vs Giants.
Minnesota Vikings: MVP: Kevin O'Connell (not really but having to deal with 9 and the other qbs, its an honorable MVP). They just need consistent quarterback play and they are a playoff team, JJettas is still the man, just needs to get the rock. Highlight of the Season: Beating the Lions on Christmas with Nick Mullens (I think it was Mullens?).
Arizona Cardinals: A 3-0 start turned ugly. Pew-Pew man fired, Kyler released, time for a fresh start in Arizona. MVP: MICHAEL WILSON (he won us some money). Highlight of the season: Beating the Cowboys on MNF.
Dallas Cowboys: Another season where Cowboys get scary half way through the season, then miss the playoffs - almosty like they needed a stud defensive player. MVP: Dak Prescott / George Pickens. Highlight of the season: Beating Chiefs on Thanksgiving / Shoutout win vs Giants in week 2.
New York Giants: Turmoil year at a staff level, surprised how Shoen, their GM not sure on spelling, has a job-yet the future is bright (as you can see I am struggling to keep things in one sentence). MVP: Jameis, but really Jaxson Dart. Highlight of Season: Throwback pass to Jameis for a TD against Lions. What a move and the celebration into the camera was pure cinema.
Washington Commanders: Injuries and some disgusting ones at that, excited to see their offense with Boyle taking OC job - they need to get younger. MVP: Rodriguez? RIP Zach Ertz. Highlight of the season: dominating chargers in the middle of the season.
Tampa Bay Bucs: Major disappointment, showing Todd Bowles losing lockeroom after Mike Evan's walks in free agency. MVP: Baker Mayfield - still a warrior. Highlight of the season: Week 1 game winning touchdown to rookie Egbuka - need him to take one a large role next season.
New Orleans Saints: Atrocious start, but very hopeful end. MVP: Tyler Shough. highlight of the season: going 3-0 in last games in the division.
Atlanta Falcons: Weird season, they are loaded on offense and should win more games. MVP: Bijan Robinson - that dude. Highlight of season: Pitts 3 TD against Tampa in retro jersey / Bijan monster game on MNF against Rams
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis washed, need more help for Mahomes, but shoutout Oludkon (not even trying here) for his couple starts. MVP: McDuffie since he got paid by Rams?? Highlight of the season: Travis getting engaged
Las Vegas Raiders: Just a horrible roster, Pete Carroll should have stayed retired. MVP: Giants/Titans for winning games at end of season. Highlight of the season: Fernando Mendoza
Indianapolis Colts: Could write a full blog on this, I think they are in trouble for the future. MVP: Jonathan Taylor. Highlight of the season: starting 8-1 then proceeding to miss playoffs, maybe that JT performance in London (fun fact only game Sauce Gardner won while he played was in London - defeated stateside for Jets/Colts)
Tennessee Titans: Another horrible roster, but Robert Salah could be good for future. MVP: Jeffrey Simmons - even scored a touchdown - dawg. Highlight of the season: Jeffrey Simmons touchdown vs Niners / Dual against Shedeur
Baltimore Ravens: Disappointing, Harbaugh's time was over - Minter will make that defense scary. Highlight of the season: Only bad things come to mind: Derrick Henry fumble against the Bills to lose a great shootout.
Cincinnati Bengals: Somehow Zac Taylor only coach to keep his job in the division, need to keep Joe healthy and a semi-competent defense. Highlight of the season: Joe Flacco throwing for 500 against the Bears, but still losing / Joe Burrow throwing his body around in flag football
Cleveland Browns: Another horrible roster, even though they actually had a great rookie class. MVP: Myles Garrett - sack king, sucks he won't have playoff success. Highlight of the season: Sack record just stated.
Miami Dolphins: Rough - screwed in cap space, like really screwed. MVP: Achane. Highlight of season: Darren Waller two touchdowns vs Pittsburgh late in season
New York Jets: Jets will keep being the Jets - let's see if Geno Smith will be good here! MVP: Quinnen Williams / Sauce for getting traded - lucky guys. Highlight of season: blocked field goal returned for touchdown against Bucs, still lost.
If you got this far, I applaud and thank you!