As usual I spent Labor Day consulting my crystal ball, CB2, to obtain its official forecast for the NFL season. And after it churned out the 2025 forecast having the Green Bay Packers winning the Super Bowl, well, my first thought was the words being used as the title of this post. No, that's not accurate. "Say it isn't so" was my second thought. The very first thing that came to mind was "ugh!" (I'm a Bears fan.) And then after a brief pause my third thought was that this is going to be one time I won't be hoping my crystal ball is right. Just to be sure I offered CB2 a chance for a retraction, but instead it reiterated not to put your money on a rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 60. Because for this year, at least, Green Bay will be living up to its moniker as Titletown.
Green Bay was Titletown a lot more in the distant past than in recent decades. If you count the Packers' first three championships - consecutively in the years 1929, '30, and '31 - before the NFL had playoffs and the champion was determined by which team had the best record (even though teams played unequal numbers of games), then you count them as having won 6 championships over a 16-year span ending in 1944. Then things were barren for a while, including a streak of 11 straight seasons without a winning record. But everything changed when Coach Lombardi came to town in 1959. In his 9 seasons as head coach the Packers had a winning season every season, with their "worst" record being 7-5. They won NFL championships in 1961 and '62 and then 3 in a row in 1965-67 (no wonder they named the trophy after him). And then just as quickly things changed again after he retired as head coach in 1968. Ever since then the Packers have won only two titles in the last 57 seasons - 1996 in Super Bowl 31 and 2010 in SB 45.
Why the Packers? CB2 cites their recent acquisition of superstar DE Micah Parsons as the main factor in its decision to pick the Pack. Usually the Packers have preferred to build their team primarily with the players they draft. But with the success they had last year after signing free agent S Xavier McKinney (photo above left from training camp on July 23, and front and center in the photo at the top from practice 2 days ago) away from the New York Giants, they decided to go "out of house" again this year. McKinney was named 1st team All-Pro last year, and in bringing in Parsons the Packers are bringing in a player who has made All-Pro 3 times in his first 4 seasons in the league. The steep price paid in the trade for Parsons - 2 future 1st round draft picks - indicates the Packers are done worrying about the future and think they are ready to win it all now.
The Packers have been to the playoffs 5 times during the 6 seasons of the Coach LaFleur era, and 4 of those times were eliminated by the eventual NFC champion. So they've been close. CB2 thinks this time they'll finally kick the door in instead of just knocking on it. The addition of Parsons can't help but improve the defense. He and DE Rashan Gary (photo above on right from preseason Week 3 on Aug. 23), who has led the Packers in sacks in 3 of the last 4 seasons, are going to be more than a handful for opposing O-lines to deal with. And just general overall improvement can be expected from a young team gaining experience over the last couple of seasons.
Why not the Eagles? Admittedly the defending champs still have the best team. But for some reason the NFC East division, which was won by the Eagles last season, just can't be won by the same team two years in a row. And CB2 doesn't expect that to change this season. In a tight, 4-team race CB2 has the Giants emerging as the surprise winner in the NFC East. CB2 has the Giants as one of 6 teams that will make the playoffs after missing the playoffs last year. The other 5 are the Falcons, Cardinals, Bengals, Jaguars, and (yikes!) Patriots.
Why not the Chiefs? Really, why do you even need to ask? In case you forgot the Chiefs lost the Super Bowl last season; and if there's one thing that's a sure thing in the NFL it's that it's always rough sailing for a team the season after it loses the Super Bowl. Welcome to hell, Chiefs. Another thing not going in the Chiefs' favor is that you may have noticed the murderer's row of Hall of Fame-caliber coaches that have been taking up residence in the AFC West lately. Two years ago it was Coach Payton with the Broncos. Last year it was Coach Harbaugh with the Chargers. And now it's Coach Carroll with the Raiders. All of those guys are no strangers to Super Bowls and without very many losing seasons on their records. Certainly the Chiefs still have the best QB in the division in Patrick Mahomes. But he needs help, and star TE Travis Kelce is in decline and doesn't look like he's going to be able to provide it. Last year all three of the Chiefs' divisional foes nearly (and should have) beaten them. CB2 says they all will get the job done this time and that it will be the Broncos - after a slow start - breaking Kansas City's 9-year grip on the division crown.
CB2 always predicts high drama for the last week of the season, but this season Week 18 will be particularly breathtaking. The results will have the Eagles barely making the playoffs, while suffering the agony of missing the playoffs will be the Steelers, Texans, Commanders, Lions, and Vikings. They'll join the Chiefs - eliminated in Week 17 - on the outside looking in.
CB2 struggled identifying many truly awful teams this year, as it picked 29 of the 32 teams to finish with between 5 and 11 wins, with only the Ravens (13), Packers (12), and Titans (3) falling outside of that range. While the Packers successfully protect home field in the NFC playoffs, it will be the Broncos, according to CB2, going on the road and shocking both the Ravens and Bills to capture the AFC crown. And then to cap off the season's craziness, CB2 has none other than Malik Willis coming off the bench to replace the injured Jordan Love in Super Bowl 60 and rallying the Packers to victory to become the first player with dreads ever to be named Super Bowl MVP.
And to that I say, ha.
In its 2024 forecast (in the post titled "History Making") CB2 correctly predicted the winner in 157 of the 272 regular season games, a. 577 percentage and a sizable drop the the 165 correct picks in 2023. The week-by-week forecast for 2025 appears in the two photos below. Or if you just want to see each team's final record, skip those and go straight to the division by division outlook listed after them. As always, anything you see in italics are the exact and fearless words of CB2.
AFC EAST
1. BUF 11-6
2. NE 10-7
3. MIA 9-8
4. NYJ 6-11
CB2: In last game of Week 18 on Sunday night Patriots take on Dolphins in blizzard at Gillette Stadium in winner-take-all fight for final AFC playoff spot. Game remains scoreless until Pats kick would-be game-winning field goal with 23 seconds left. Snowballs fly in celebration, but celebration is halted on Tyreek Hill's stunning 70-yard catch and run for TD on next play from scrimmage with :10 on clock to give Dolphins 7-3 lead. But then celebration is back on again as Antonio Gibson takes ensuing kickoff 95 yards to the house to give Patriots 9-7 victory and their first playoff berth in 4 years.
CB2 has the Bills winning their 6th straight division crown and James Cook once again being a big part of it. CB2 says Cook (right photo) will finish with fewer touchdowns than he had in 2024. But only one fewer - 17 instead of 18. And those 17 will be the most TD scored by any player with dreads in the league. CB2 also is confident that Rhamondre Stevenson (left photo) will be the division's second highest scoring player with dreads, finishing with a career high 10 TD.
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AFC NORTH
1. BAL 13-4
2. CIN 11-6
3. PIT 9-8
4. CLEV 5-12
CB2: Jalen Ramsey is the 6th different player with dreads to score a TD in the game as he takes 77-yard interception return to the house with 5 seconds left to ice Steelers' 41-27 win over Ravens in Week 18 as Steelers continue remarkable streak of Coach Tomlin never having a losing season. But season ends in heartbreak as playoff berth is lost 3 hours later thanks to Broncos' unbelievable win over Chargers.
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AFC SOUTH
1. JAC 10-7
2. HOU 9-8
3. IND 6-11
4. TENN 3-14
CB2: Needing win in Week 18 to clinch division, Jaguars jump out to 28-0 halftime lead over Titans as Brian Thomas has 7 receptions, 210 yards and 3 touchdowns in the half. Jags go on to win 42-7 to nail down first division title in 3 years and first 10-win season in 8 years.
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AFC WEST
Before he gets his game-saving forced fumble in Week 18, Nik Bonitto (photo above) will repeat as the player with dreads with the most sacks, according to CB2. After recording 13½ sacks in 2024, CB2 has Bonitto improving to a career high 16 this season. 
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CB2 has Eagles WR A.J. Brown and Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb in a dead heat for the division's top-scoring player with dreads, both with 10 TD, entering Week 18. But while Brown adds 2 to his total in Philly to up his total to 12, Lamb (right photo) will score 3 in the Cowboys loss to the Giants and finish with 13 TD to regain the crown for the NFC East player with dreads with the most TD. Lamb's 3 TD also will bring the Cowboys' total to 20 TD by players with dreads, highest in the NFC.
AFC WEST
1. DEN 10-7
2. LAC 10-7
3. KC 9-8
4. LV 5-12
TIEBREAKER: DEN clinches 1st place due to better record than Chargers in games vs. division opponents (DEN 5-1, LAC 4-2)
CB2: In Week 17 nailbiter in KC Rashee Rice's 2 TD catches in final 3 minutes lift Chiefs into 30-30 tie with Broncos. But on first play from scrimmage in overtime Kris Abrams-Draine intercepts Patrick Mahomes and returns it 31 yards to the house to give Broncos 36-30 win that eliminates Chiefs from playoff picture. Still needing victory in Week 18 to clinch playoff spot, Broncos take on Chargers in Denver with division title also on the line. Quentin Johnston scores his 2nd TD of 4th quarter on 1-yard reception on final play to pull Chargers within 28-27. Chargers go for two and make it on Johnston's amazing leaping catch against Pat Surtain, but play is nullified on controversial offensive PI penalty. Chargers then kick extra point instead to send game into overtime. Chargers again appear to have victory in the bag as Donte Jackson takes interception return 102 yards to the house on first OT possession; but TD is nullified by highly controversial illegal contact penalty against Ja'Sir Taylor on other side of field. Broncos eventually settle for FG on drive to take lead. Chargers quickly move downfield on ensuing drive, but on 1st and goal Omarion Hampton, on his way to the apparent game-winning TD, is stripped of ball by Nik Bonitto at 2-yard line, and Broncos recover fumble to clinch wild 31-28 win and division crown, also eliminating Steelers from playoff picture.
With Chiefs WRs Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy both moving to the ex-dread list (I'm barely holding back the tears), CB2 thinks the Raiders will surpass the Chiefs as the division's team with the most TD scored by players with dreads (which they almost did last year), finishing with 26 to lead the entire league as well. 1st round draft pick Ashton Jeanty (photo below) will score 10 of them, according to CB2, to lead all NFL rookies with dreads in touchdowns.
CB2 has the Raiders, Chargers (24) and Chiefs (22) going 1-2-3 in the race for the team with the most TD by players with dreads as the division finishes with at least two dozen more TD by players than the next closest division. CB2 also is predicting the Raiders to be the team with the highest percentage of their touchdowns scored by players with dreads for the second straight season.
NFC EAST
1. NYG 9-8
2. PHIL 9-8
3. WASH 8-9
4. DAL 7-10
TIEBREAKER: Giants clinch 1st place due to better record than Eagles in games vs. division opponents (NYG 4-2, PHIL 3-3)
SMH, still no love for the Eagles. WTF, CB2?
CB2: You can fire my ass if the Eagles win this division.
LOL, O.K. I'll remember that.
CB2: Commanders need win in Philly and Giants loss to Cowboys in Week 18 to take division crown and are looking good as both they and Cowboys lead by 17 at halftime. But Eagles roar back to grab 31-23 lead and have Commanders on the brink .... until Noah Brown snatches Hail Mary for 50-yard TD on final play in 4th quarter followed by successful 2-point conversion, sending game into OT. On first possession in OT Eagles turn ball over at midfield on fumble by Jalen Hurts on strip sack by Sheldon Day. But on next play as Jayden Daniels carries ball into FG range he fumbles when clobbered by Jalen Carter. Kelee Ringo scoops up ball and takes it 75 yards to the house for 37-31 win that puts Eagles into playoffs and eliminates Commanders from playoff contention. Moments later Eagles also still alive for division title after, 95 miles north, Cowboys, after blowing 23-6 lead, retake lead 30-27 on CeeDee Lamb's 3rd TD catch of the day with 60 seconds to play. But Ihmir Smith-Marsette returns ensuing kickoff 50 yards into Dallas territory, and 6 plays later Dante Miller scores on 25-yard run on draw play for his 1st career TD with :06 on clock to give Giants 4th straight win, 34-30, for first division crown in 14 years.
CB2 also has Noah Brown (left photo) catching a huge Hail Mary TD for the 2nd straight year, with this season's TD increasing his total for the season to a career high 5 TD.
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CB2 is confident that A.J. Terrell (right photo, signing autographs at training camp practice on July 26) will have a stellar first season with dreads (after his two-strands twists absolutely look like they've now turned into dreads), finishing with a career high 4 INT, the last of which secures the Falcons' first division title in 9 years. Also contributing greatly to the success in ATL, as expected, will be Bijan Robinson, who CB2 sees finishing with a career high 16 TD, the most by any NFC player with dreads. And despite a lousy season for his team, Chase Young of the Saints (left photo) will have a bit of personal success, according to CB2, reaching double figures for the first time with 10 sacks, most by any NFC player with dreads.
NFC predicted records
NFC NORTH
1. GB 12-5
2. DET 9-8
3. MINN 8-9
4. CHI 7-10
CB2: Vikings need win over Packers and Lions loss to Bears in Week 18 to reach playoffs and appear on way to victory in Minny, leading 26-22 in final minute. But would-be game-clinching 27-yard TD catch by Justin Jefferson on 4th and 1 with :53 on clock is nullified by questionable chop block penalty against Aaron Jones. Vikings settle for FG on next play to lead by 7. But Packers drive 83 yards in 5 plays with no timeouts, scoring TD with :00 remaining. Packers go for 2 and Savion Williams makes diving catch in end zone to give Packers 30-29 victory that assures #1 seed for playoffs and eliminates Vikings from playoff picture. Despite Vikings loss, Lions still need win at Soldier Field and appear to have it as Jameson Williams cruises toward end zone for would-be victory-clinching 17-yard TD with under a minute to go. But Williams, needlessly flipping forward as he approaches goal line, loses control of ball before crossing line and ball rolls out of bounds in end zone for touchback, keeping Lions' lead at 3 instead of increasing it to 10. Bears then go 80 yards in 5 plays with no timeouts, as Luther Burden takes WR screen pass 45 yards to the house with 10 seconds remaining for 27-23 win. With loss, plus victory by Eagles, Lions eliminated from playoff picture.
Oh boy, say it isn't so, Jameson.
The unforgivable blunder CB2 is predicting for Jameson Williams in Week 18 (left photo, changing to jersey #1 this season) would have been his 10th TD, putting him in double figures for the first time. And since CB2 has Jahmyr Gibbs dropping from a league high 20 TD in 2024 to 10 this season, Williams' booboo also will leave the Lions' total of 19 TD by players with dreads one short of the Cowboys' for most in the NFC. CB2 also is predicting Xavier McKinney of the Packers to lead all NFC players with dreads in interceptions, dropping from 8 last year to 6 in 2025. And CB2 also is predicting Kyle Monangai (right photo) to open his NFL career with 5 TD, most by any NFC rookie with dreads.
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NFC SOUTH
1. ATL 11-6
2. TB 11-6
3. CAR 7-10
4. NO 5-12
TIEBREAKER: Falcons clinch 1st place due to head-to-head sweep of Buccaneers (Weeks 1 and 15)
CB2: With Falcons on brink of embarrassing collapse, having blown 21-0 lead over Saints at home and trailing 25-24 in Week 18, Bijan Robinson comes to the rescue, taking screen pass 65 yards to the house, as Falcons regain lead but leave 1:07 on clock. Saints march downfield to 3-yard line but A.J. Terrell then comes to the rescue, intercepting pass in end zone with 24 seconds to go to give Falcons 30-25 victory and division crown.
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NFC WEST
1. ARIZ 10-7
2. LAR 9-8
3. SF 8-9
4. SEA 6-11
CB2: In winner-take-all battle for division crown at SoFi on Saturday night in Week 18 Cardinals get TD receptions from Xavier Weaver and then Tejhaun Palmer (playing his first NFL game after being signed from the practice squad) 83 seconds apart to take 30-26 lead over Rams with under 4 minutes to play. But Rams drive 77 yards to 3-yard line and have Davante Adams open on fade route on 1st and goal. But pass from Matthew Stafford is bobbled by Adams, deflects into air, and is intercepted by Denzel Burke in end zone for game-sealing touchback. With Rams out of timeouts, Cards burn off last 29 seconds from clock and take division crown for first time in 10 years. Rams playoff fate hangs in balance until the next afternoon, and with losses by Vikings and Lions, they clinch final NFC playoff berth.
Davante Adams may be past his prime, but don't try telling that to CB2. In his first season in a Rams uniform Adams (left photo) CB2 is certain will regain the crown he last held in 2022 as the NFL player with dreads with the most TD receptions. Davante will finish with 14 TD catches instead of 15 after letting that big one get away in Week 18. But with those 14 he'll dethrone Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. as the division's leading scorer with dreads. Although Harrison will have a very strong sophomore season with 13 TD. CB2 also has Denzel Burke (right photo) contributing to the Cards' division title, finishing with 4 INT to lead all NFL rookies with dreads.
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AFC predicted records
BUF 11-6 BAL 13-4 JAC 10-7 DEN 10-7
NE 10-7 CIN 11-6 HOU 9-8 LAC 10-7
MIA 9-8 PIT 9-8 IND 6-11 KC 9-8
NYJ 6-11 CLEV 5-12 TENN 3-14 LV 5-12
AFC TIEBREAKERS
- Jaguars clinch #3 seed due to head-to-head victory over Broncos (Week 16)
- Chargers clinch #6 seed due to better record than Patriots in games vs. conference opponents (LAC 9-3, NE 7-5)
NYG 9-8 GB 12-5 ATL 11-6 ARIZ 10-7
PHIL 9-8 DET 9-8 TB 11-6 LAR 9-8
WASH 8-9 MINN 8-9 CAR 7-10 SF 8-9
DAL 7-10 CHI 7-10 NO 5-12 SEA 6-11
NFC TIEBREAKERS
- Eagles clinch #6 seed due to head-to-head victories over Rams (Week 3) and Lions (Week 11)
- Rams clinch #7 seed due to head-to-head victory over Lions (Week 15)
PLAYOFFS
ROUND 1
- BUF over NE
- JAC over LAC
- DEN over CIN
- ATL over LAR
- PHIL over ARIZ
- NYG over TB
- DEN over BAL
- BUF over JAC
- GB over PHIL
- NYG over ATL
- DEN over BUF
- GB over NYG
- GB 31 DEN 24 (MVP: Malik Willis)
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