Playoff aspirations have come to an end for all but four teams. However, with an eye on the future, here are 10 teams without championship titles that could potentially contend for the Super Bowl in the upcoming year.
It’s a tough time to be a Buffalo Bills fan after a heartbreaking playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on a wide right field goal attempt.
I’m not sure I believe in comedy, but some poor Bills fan was forced to listen to Taylor Swift songs on the jukebox while burying his face in the bar counter. Meanwhile, Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce head into the AFC title game as the Chiefs prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Stadium.
But don’t worry, Bills fans. It looks like there will be another chance to advance to the Super Bowl next season thanks to a number of promising players around Josh Allen. The same thing happened to the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans, two teams that also lost in the divisional round.
With the NFL playoffs split between four teams, we decided to take a look at the top 10 non-league teams that will be playing in the Super Bowl in 2025. That’s right, he bullied a Bills fan out of the bar. Swift and the Chiefs will not be mentioned following the penalty. Even the San Francisco 49ers or Detroit Lions, both teams are fighting for the NFC championship on Sunday.
Some fans won’t like this list because several playoff teams were eliminated, even when they played in divisional games last weekend. Let’s face it: The NFL always has some new teams entering the postseason.
Check out our list of the 10 non-league teams closest to advancing to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
10. Indianapolis Colts
2023–24 season: 9–8, third place, AFC South, no playoffs
Why they might reach the Super Bowl in ’25: Some might wonder why the Colts and not the Jacksonville Jaguars? Coaching makes a big difference, and Shane Steichen helped many players have multi-year careers in his first year with the Colts. Yes, Doug Pederson is a Super Bowl winning coach and he had a great year in ’22 with the Jaguars. But Jacksonville was a disaster last season, and Pederson needs to improve his staff and coaching methods. Steichen gave the Colts one win in the postseason even without rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who only played in four games in ’23 due to injury. If Richardson stays healthy, the Colts could be a serious threat next season.
9. Seattle Seahawks
2023–24 season: 9–8, third place, NFC West
Why he got to the Super Bowl in ’25: The Seahawks were disappointing last season, and they can’t even blame injuries as most of their key players missed the regular season in ’23. But Seattle seemed to blame him by firing Pete Carroll as head coach and forcing the 72-year-old into a role in the front office. It’s hard to imagine the Seahawks doing well without Carroll, but perhaps a young coach with a different philosophy can make that star-studded squad competitive in ’24. The Seahawks also had issues with quarterback Geno Smith, who regressed after a breakthrough season in ’22. If they improve at quarterback, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Seahawks return to the postseason.
8. Green Bay Packers
2023–24 season: 9–8, runner-up, NFC North
Why they made it to Super Bowl ’25: The Packers finished seventh to the Seahawks thanks to a second-half surge and the emergence of quarterback Jordan Love, who has been one of the best in the league over the past two months. Love is poised to be the NFL’s next starback and has plenty of weapons around him, including wide receivers Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, as well as Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. The offense is a year better than last season. But the Packers need more consistency on defense. Additionally, Love needs to cut down on his mistakes late in games, as evidenced by his interception in the playoff loss to the 49ers.
7. Los Angeles Lamb
2023–24 season: 10–7, second place, NFC West, lost in wild card round
Why he’ll reach the Super Bowl in 2025: The Rams had a similar surge in the second half this season, but it came with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and a lot of his young players. Rookie Puka Nacua quickly established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the league and took Cooper Kupp’s spot at No. 1. 1. But the Rams’ strongest offense comes via sophomore Kyren Williams, who will prove he can stay healthy for the rest of the season. Aaron Donald will return next year to continue.
6. Miami Dolphins
2023-24 Season: 11–6, 2nd, AFC East, lost in wild card round
Why they reached the Super Bowl in 2025: Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has led his team to back-to-back playoff appearances, proving he can keep his team in playoff contention every year. But being a Super Bowl contender is a different story. The Dolphins were considered contenders because they struggled against teams with winning records and their scheme didn’t work against great teams. If McDaniel can make adjustments, the Dolphins could be a serious threat in the AFC, especially if the defense (with a core group that includes edge rushers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Jalen Ramsey and Christian Wilkins) remains in good health. The team also must decide whether to pay Tua Tagovailoa, who has struggled at times.
5. Dallas Cowboys
2023–24 Season: 12–5, first place, NFC East, lost in wild card round
Why it reached the Super Bowl in 2025: The Cowboys have long been considered contenders due to their playoff disappointments over the years. This time the Packers eliminated them at home in the wild card round. And owner Jerry Jones decided to bring back coach Mike McCarthy. It’s hard to imagine a roster that will advance beyond the divisional round next season, but this isn’t a story about legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Cowboys have always given themselves the best chance to advance, but that hasn’t helped them when the playoffs roll around, at least not in the last three decades. Many would be surprised if the Cowboys won the NFC East and added 12 more regular season wins. He’ll have to prove it to Dak Prescott and Co. in the playoffs.
4. Houston Texans players
2023–24 Season: 10–7, first place, AFC South, divisional round loss
Why they could reach the Super Bowl in 2025: The Texans have a bright future for more reasons than just rookie C.J. McCarthy. Stroud, man. They occupy a key position as they have two effective receivers (Nico Collins, Tank Dell) and two dominant offensive players (Will Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard, pending free agency). Houston also has a rising star in guard Derek Stingley Jr. and ready-made offensive tackles in Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard. And we can’t forget DeMeco Ryans’ hard work in his first season as coach. But the Texans won’t be as strong as Stroud, who may already be as good as the three starting scorers listed below.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
2023 Season: 11–6, second place, NFC East, lost in wild card round
Why they made it to the Super Bowl in ’25: The Eagles were a disaster for a number of reasons, including poor coaching by Nick Sirianni and company. But Sirianni will likely return in 2024 with a revamped coaching staff and hopes of a comeback. to the Super Bowl. (He also deserves the benefit of the doubt, having led his team to three straight playoff appearances and an NFC championship, far surpassing anything the Cowboys have done in recent years.) While Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, the Eagles “should feel better on offense. However, they had a lot of problems on defense, especially in the secondary and linebacker positions. Additionally, Tush Push may no longer be a weapon for the Eagles if center Jason Kelce decides to retire.
2. Buffalo Money
2023-24 Season: 11–6, first place, AFC East, lost in divisional round
Why they could get to the Super Bowl in 2025: The Bills aren’t considered the same contenders as the Dolphins and Cowboys, but they exited early again this year and still haven’t been to the Super Bowl under Josh Allen. time. But Buffalo is in good shape thanks to general manager Brandon Beane’s draft success. With Allen’s contract taking up a large portion of the salary cap, the Bills received running backs James Cook, Dalton Kincaid and wide receiver Khalil Shakir. Several young defenders have also shown improvement and this squad should be at its best with a good lineup. But Buffalo could still move some contracts, including Stefon Diggs”.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2023-24 season: 9-8, fourth, AFC North.
Why they could advance to Super Bowl 25: The Bengals have the best chance to advance to the Super Bowl next year thanks to Joe Burrow. If Burrow starts next season healthy and the Bengals roster can keep him upright, they should be back in contention no matter what the 24-man roster looks like, at least not on offense. Burrow is a superior defender because he can improve anyone’s game regardless of the environment. But Cincinnati needs to improve defensively, and this time it wouldn’t be bad to start the season with a long win. The Bengals started 0-2 over the past two seasons and missed 23 playoff games in part because of Burrows’ season-ending injury.
