Each year in the NFL, some teams exceed expectations, outperforming both their projected win totals and what fans anticipated prior to the start of the year.
There always seems to be at least three teams that made the playoffs the previous year but do not the next.
This is due to many reasons. Injuries are a key factor, but so are offseason moves. Teams who miss the playoffs the previous season may have more urgency to improve their roster while teams who made the playoffs may lose some key players in free agency.
Below, we’ll take a look at three NFL teams that are being overlooked by fans before the season begins. These three teams will be much better than last year and could even make a surprise playoff berth.
Three NFL Teams That Will Exceed Expectations In 2025
Three NFL teams will be better than expected in 2025. They will have an improved offense and defense. While all three may not make the postseason, these three teams will have a much-improved 2025 season than they had in 2024.
These three teams are:
- 1. Dallas Cowboys
- 2. New York Giants
- 3. Tennessee Titans
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys dealt with numerous injuries to key players last season and missed the playoffs.
Their defense was awful, ranking 31st in points allowed per game. Losing QB Dak Prescott hurt the defense, as the offense was unable to sustain drives and left the defense on the field more often.
This season, Dak is healthy and has an added weapon. The Cowboys acquired WR George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers to pair with WR CeeDee Lamb. This is a good WR duo. Their offensive line will improve in 2025 as well. With a trio of Lamb, Pickens, and Jake Ferguson, Dallas has a dangerous trio in the passing game.
Dallas’ success or lack thereof in 2025 will highly depend on Dak Prescott. If Prescott can remain healthy, the sky is the limit for this offense.
On defense, CB DaRon Bland will be healthy to begin the season, but Trevon Diggs may not be ready for week 1. However, star pass rusher Micah Parsons’ contract issues with the Cowboys remain. This needs to be handled before the season begins. Parsons is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
Remaining healthy will be critical for the Cowboys as Prescott missed a lot of time last year, as did many key players. Getting Micah Parsons on the field is also critical. Without Parsons, the Cowboys may possess the worst defense in the league.
With Dak, Lamb, and Parsons on the field at the same time, this is a dangerous Cowboys team.
New York Giants
The New York Giants have a very talented front seven. They will be able to generate a pass rush better than most teams in the league can.
Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and the newly added Abdul Carter pose a major threat to opposing teams.
This will be needed in a tough NFC East, facing QBs like Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, and Dak Prescott.
While the secondary remains a weakness on defense, with as talented a front 7 as the Giants have, they can cover up a weaker secondary by generating a lot of pressure on opposing QBs.
It will not be surprising if the Giants have a top-five defense in 2025.
On offense, Russell Wilson will start in week 1. Even if Wilson plays the way he did last year in Pittsburgh, which was not very good, it is still an upgrade over Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito.
Wilson will lead an offense that has a star wideout in Malik Nabers. Nabers took the league by storm in his rookie campaign. He had 109 receptions, 1,204 receiving yards, and seven receiving TDs. With an improved QB room, look for Nabers to outperform his 2024 campaign.
While the Giants may not make the playoffs, they will be a formidable opponent. A lot of people do not expect much from the Giants this year, but their defense has the potential to be elite.
Tennessee Titans
In an unprecedented offseason, the number one overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, QB Cam Ward, has not been mentioned much by the media.
There is not a lot of chatter around Ward, which is unusual for a QB who went first overall. This may be a good thing for Ward and the Titans. A similar situation happened last year with Jayden Daniels. All the talk was on Caleb Williams, but Daniels ended up being a star in his rookie year.
The Titans had arguably the worst QB room last year. If not the worst, definitely one of the worst. Ward is an upgrade at the most important position. He has a lot of upside and can do for the Titans what Stroud did for the Texans in his rookie year.
The offensive line will need to improve in 2025, but they have some talent that can get the job done.
Tennessee had the best pass defense in the league last year. They ranked first in passing yards allowed per game in 2024. Their front seven is above average, with Jeffrey Simmons leading the way as an elite defensive lineman.
This all depends on how Cam Ward plays. If Ward plays well and proves to be a significant upgrade over their QB room last year, the Titans can be a very sneaky team that can challenge the Texans for the AFC South crown.
