Pro Picks: Patrick Mahomes and the
Chiefs will beat the Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch
[August 30, 2025]
By ROB MAADDI
The Eagles are going for a repeat. The Chiefs aren’t ready for the
end of their dynasty.
Will they meet again in the Super Bowl for the third time in four
years?
The Lions, Bills and Ravens feel they have unfinished business.
The Commanders came close last season. The Packers just got Micah
Parsons.
Don’t count out the Bengals and Broncos in the AFC. Or the Vikings
and Buccaneers in the NFC.
Pro Picks correctly predicted Philadelphia would defeat Kansas City
in the Super Bowl last preseason.
We’re going with a rematch but taking Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce
and Andy Reid’s Chiefs to win this time around.
Pro Picks predictions per division:
NFC East
There hasn’t been a repeat champion in this division since
Philadelphia won four titles in a row from 2001-04. The Eagles are
loaded on offense with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown,
DeVonta Smith and a dominant offensive line. They have a young,
talented defense led by Jalen Carter, cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell
and Cooper DeJean and All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun that has the
depth to overcome key losses. Jayden Daniels and coach Dan Quinn
turned the Washington Commanders into Super Bowl contenders in one
season together. They added playmaker Deebo Samuel and left tackle
Laremy Tunsil on offense and key pieces on defense to help them take
that next step. Dak Prescott is back healthy for the Dallas Cowboys,
who are led by rookie coach Brian Schottenheimer. But Micah Parsons
is gone from a defense that finished 28th in the league with a
superstar pass rusher. The New York Giants are counting on Russell
Wilson until they turn it over to Jaxson Dart. They have one of the
league’s best defensive line units but staying competitive after a
3-14 season is the goal for Giants.
1. Eagles
2. Commanders
3. Cowboys
4. Giants
NFC North
The Detroit Lions have unfinished business after setting a franchise
record with 15 wins only to get knocked out of the playoffs by
Washington in the divisional round. Jared Goff leads a high-powered
offense that lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Defensive
coordinator Aaron Glenn also left but the Lions are getting star
pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson back.
The Packers won 11 games last season with the youngest team in the
league and now add Parsons, who makes them a Super Bowl contender.
Jordan Love is healthy after injuries plagued him last season. Once
Parsons settles in, Green Bay should challenge the Lions. The
Vikings won 14 games with Sam Darnold and turn to J.J. McCarthy.
They’ll push the Lions and Packers in a tough division. Johnson
takes over in Chicago and his top priority is developing Caleb
Williams, last year’s No. 1 overall pick.
1. Lions
2. Packers
3. Vikings
4. Bears

NFC South
After winning four straight division titles, the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers want more. Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Co. are aiming
for a Super Bowl title. They’ve got a stacked and balanced offense
and need the defense to step up to make a January run into February.
Michael Penix Jr. gets the chance to lead the Atlanta Falcons and a
talented offense that will revolve around dynamic running back Bijan
Robinson. Like Tampa Bay, the Falcons need their defense to improve
after a bottom 10 finish last season. The Carolina Panthers showed
promise in the second half last season so there’s reason for
optimism behind coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young. They
had a league-worst defense that has to get better to compete. Rookie
coach Kellen Moore is rebuilding the Saints. Second-year pro Spencer
Rattler will open as the starting quarterback and has some
playmakers around him. Still, it should be a long, tough season for
New Orleans.
1. Buccaneers
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Saints
NFC West
The 49ers were depleted by injuries to several key players last
season and went from an overtime Super Bowl loss to 6-11. The reward
is one of the league’s softest schedules. Despite trading Samuel
away, an offense led by Brock Purdy has talent with a healthy
Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall. They’ll get
Brandon Aiyuk back at some point, too. If a defense that lost key
players gets a boost from youngsters, San Francisco will reclaim the
division. The Los Angeles Rams nearly knocked the Eagles out of the
playoffs and have a young, talented defense led by Jared Verse,
Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Kobie Turner. But Matthew Stafford’s
back problems are a concern and Sean McVay may have to turn to Jimmy
Garoppolo at some point. Darnold replaces Geno Smith in Seattle,
where coach Mike Macdonald won 10 games in his first season. The
Arizona Cardinals have had one winning season in the past nine
years. Marvin Harrison Jr. should be fun to watch catching passes
from Kyler Murray in their second year together. Super Bowl star
Josh Sweat boosts the defense.
1. 49ers
2. Rams
3. Seahawks
4. Cardinals

[to top of second column] |

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes cheers from the
sidelines during the second half of a preseason NFL football game
against the Chicago Bears Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo.
(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

AFC East
The Buffalo Bills have won the division five straight seasons but
can’t get past the Chiefs in the playoffs, losing four times in that
span. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen is determined to change that. He
leads a balanced offense that has all its key players back plus new
receiver Joshua Palmer. They may need to add more pieces at the
trade deadline to help fulfill their goal of playing in February.
With Mike Vrabel in charge and Drake Maye set for his second season,
the New England Patriots could be the most improved team in the
conference after a strong offseason. If Tua Tagovailoa stays
healthy, the Miami Dolphins will be competitive. Without him, they
have no chance. Aaron Glenn returns to the New York Jets to rebuild
a franchise that’s trying to end the NFL’s longest active postseason
drought. The Jets should be more exciting with Justin Fields. But
they’re not there yet.
1. Bills
2. Patriots
3. Dolphins
4. Jets

AFC North
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are seeking that elusive trip
to the Super Bowl. They’ve been a dominant team in the regular
season but it all comes down to January. Aaron Rodgers and DK
Metcalf should upgrade Pittsburgh’s offense and T.J. Watt leads a
ferocious defense. Mike Tomlin always wins in the regular season,
but he needs a playoff victory to stave off critics. The Bengals
have Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and a dynamic offense. All-Pro edge
rusher Trey Hendrickson is back to boost the defense. Cincinnati has
to play better in September to have a chance to make a run late. The
Cleveland Browns are counting on Joe Flacco to run coach Kevin
Stefanski's offense efficiently. There’s a strong possibility Dillon
Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will get starts before another
rebuilding season ends.
1. Ravens
2. Steelers
3. Bengals
4. Browns
AFC South
The two-time defending champion Houston Texans are the class of the
division with C.J. Stroud, edge Will Anderson Jr. and All-Pro
cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. leading the way. Colts coach Shane
Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are on the hot seat.
They’re hoping Daniel Jones could lead them to the playoffs. The
offense has some talented pieces, including running back Jonathan
Taylor. New coach Liam Coen should get the most out of Trevor
Lawrence in Jacksonville. Dynamic two-way rookie Travis Hunter gives
the Jaguars one of the league’s most exciting players. With a
first-year GM and rookie coach, improvement is the priority. No. 1
overall pick Cam Ward is the franchise quarterback in Tennessee. The
Titans need to find a way to protect him and give him the best
chance to develop quickly.
1. Texans
2. Colts
3. Jaguars
4. Titans
AFC West
The division goes through Kansas City, which has won nine straight
titles and reached the conference championship game in each of
Patrick Mahomes’ seven seasons as the starter. They have a rebuilt
offensive line to protect Mahomes and playmakers to keep the offense
going. On defense, the Chiefs have to stop the run better. Bo Nix
led the Broncos to the playoffs as a rookie and could take a big
leap in his second season. A stingy defense led by AP Defensive
Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II added key players in the
offseason. Jim Harbaugh turned the Chargers into a winner in his
first season. Justin Herbert has a new running back in rookie
Omarion Hampton but lost a protector in left tackle Rashawn Slater.
Pete Carroll and Geno Smith are reunited in Las Vegas, giving the
Raiders reason for optimism. They’re still a year away.

1. Chiefs
2. Broncos
3. Chargers
4. Raiders
NFC division winners: Eagles, Lions, Buccaneers, 49ers
NFC wild-card teams: Commanders, Packers, Vikings
NFC championship: Eagles over Lions
AFC division winners: Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chiefs
AFC wild-card teams: Steelers, Bengals, Broncos
AFC championship: Chiefs over Ravens
Super Bowl: Chiefs over Eagles
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