The Jambar
The official start of the 2025 NFL season begins a week from today, Sept. 4, with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The first game of the season ushers in several “what ifs?”
The 2024-25 campaign ended Feb. 9 when the Eagles were crowned as world champions, in a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
With Super Bowl LX set for Feb. 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, two teams will meet in an attempt to dethrone the defending champion. Every year, one team from the American Football Conference and one from the National Football Conference represent the NFL in the Big Game.
The Jambar will attempt to predict this season’s Super Bowl matchup based on rule changes, free agency, the 2025 NFL Draft and coaching.
For the AFC, several teams meet the criteria to appear on the national stage. Most notably, the Chiefs are primed to appear in their fifth super bowl appearance with quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm.
The team’s defense has also improved, despite a rough outing a few months ago. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, cornerback Trent McDuffie and middle linebacker Nick Bolton look to improve on their performances from 2024.
For Taylor Swift fans, they will see more of her on television networks this year, with tight end Travis Kelce returning to the squad. Long-tenured Head Coach Andy Reid enters his 13th season with the team.
Arguably, the team with the best chance to beat the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game this season is the Buffalo Bills.
Coming off an MVP season, quarterback Josh Allen hopes to lead the team to its first Super Bowl since 1994 and its first-ever victory.
In order to achieve the feat, Allen must stay healthy while key positional players, such as running back James Cook, tight end Dawson Knox and the newly acquired defensive end Joey Bosa, make impacts in their respective positions.
The team’s only hindrance is its receiving core with its No. 1 listed wide receiver as Khalil Shakir. Although Shakir recorded 821 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season, a down year could be in the works for the 25-year-old receiver.
The first game of the year will set the tone for the Eagles’s season. With a win over the Cowboys, Philadelphia would start out undefeated heading into a tough schedule that features opponents such as the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers and a rematch with Kansas City.
The rushing tandem of quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 2,635 yards and 27 touchdowns. Both return for the 2025 season, along with the NFL’s top offensive line led by right tackle Lane Johnson and left tackle Jordan Mailata.
A team that could potentially best the defending world champions in the NFC Championship is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The receiving duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. added a third receiver to its core in Emeka Egbuka from The Ohio State University.
In 2024, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. This season, Mayfield looks to build on a career year and reach his first Super Bowl.
The defense regains defensive tackle Vita Vea and veteran linebacker Lavonte David, while also retaining fourth-year Head Coach Todd Bowles.
For the NFL’s 32 teams, the Dec. 28 matchup against the Eagles and Bills is this year’s Super Bowl matchup.
When the season draws to a close, all teams will have an opportunity to reach Super Bowl LX.