August 2025 – JD's Sportscorner

2025 NFC Playoff Picks

August 28, 2025 jminx946 Comments

The future looks bright in the NFC. Philadelphia had a resounding Super Bowl win this past February against the AFC best Chiefs. At one point, they led 40-6 in the title game. The Eagles weren’t just the best team in the Super Bowl, they were the best team in a stacked, resurgent conference. Detroit had their franchise best record in 2024. The Commanders hype is real. Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and Green Bay will be more dangerous this year. Playoff hopefuls Atlanta, Chicago, Arizona and Seattle have the talent and coaching to take on and beat some serious title contenders. Every division race will be a slugfest and have a lot of drama.

Sadly, not all the teams mentioned above will make the playoffs since there are seven spots. It’s time to break down which seven teams in the conference have the best chance to reach the playoffs this season. There are a lot of quality teams, so expect a thrilling journey to the end of the season and some surprises based on this years draft and last years film.

East: Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders

Jalen Hurts is one of six current starting quarterbacks to have won the Super Bowl.

What a statement 2024-2025 season from Philadelphia. Serious analysts didn’t have the Eagles making the playoffs unless they were a lower seed after the late, 2023-2024 falloff. Owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni responded with the franchise’s best season this century, adding a second Super Bowl trophy in a decisive win against Kansas City. Since the Eagles’ most important players are signed through the next few seasons and Roseman added more roster depth in the offseason, Philadelphia will remain the top name in their division, conference, and the league.

“Scary Terry” McLaurin was finally re-signed to a favorable three year, $96 million extension Monday. That’s bad news for opposing defenses facing the Commanders this year.

The Eagles won’t have it easy with the young, determined Commanders team behind them. Washington had a great chance to win the east last year but didn’t have the experience compared to the Super Bowl champions. Year two of sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels, defensive captain Bobby Wagner and head coach Dan Quinn should close the gap with their division rivals. Both teams will have their share of struggles after making the conference championship last season, but Philadelphia has more depth to counter serious contenders. Washington did extend franchise receiver Terry McLaurin Monday, so the offensive production shouldn’t drop or disappoint…unlike some teams in this article.

South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another year, another season Tampa Bay’s offense will overwhelm opposing defenses.

While Carolina should continue building off of late 2024’s progress, New Orleans will be one of the NFL’s worst teams this year. Just like last year’s prediction, the division will be a two team race between Atlanta and Tampa Bay.

There is a lot to love with the Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. was fantastic and Atlanta barely missed the division title last year. Head coach Raheem Morris has a lot more to work with and knows which players to push for better production.

However, Tampa Bay stays ahead top to bottom.

Head coach Todd Bowles finds ways to get the best out of every Buccaneers player. Tampa has the superior offense, defense and special teams. The Buccaneers do have the harder schedule all but one month of the regular season, but that’s expected for one of the NFC’s best veteran teams. There’s also more game film of Penix Jr., so teams will find weaknesses this year. Count on Tampa Bay’s Bowles to find some.

North: Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions

This will be the most important season of quarterback Jordan Love’s career.

Minnesota doesn’t inspire confidence with quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz behind center. Letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency was a big mistake. The Vikings could go from losing to two teams all of 2024, to a fall to the bottom of the north.

Chicago has a good case to sneak into the playoff discussion. The Bears could very well steal a playoff spot from a deserving contender like Atlanta or any of the west teams not in first place. Chicago’s first half of the season is more likely to be marred by mistakes, forcing them to play catch up and just miss out. Still, there should be a lot of optimism and good games for the Bears.

For the serious contenders, there are big expectations for Green Bay this year. Yes, wide receiver Christian Watson will be out most of the season with last year’s torn ACL, but it’s up to head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love to show why they’re paid big money and get touted as offensive gurus and leaders. While the Packers have a brutal schedule, there are some weeks or months they could go on a hot run and leave the other three teams behind. If that happens, LaFleur and Love must stay determined and not hold back.

The biggest question for the NFC is how deadly Detroit’s offense will be without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Despite drawing the NFL’s hardest and worst schedule, Detroit is in the conversation for the 2026 playoffs. The Lions will have nine road games, and all but one will be against playoff favorites. Detroit went undefeated on the road last year, but no one believes it can happen again this season. The Lions also lost their top coordinators to head coaching jobs in the offseason. There will be an obvious drop in offensive production, but both general manager Brad Holmes’ bullseye drafting and nearly the whole defense returning from injured reserve will keep Detroit in the playoff conversation all year. Don’t be surprised if the Lions follow the old, Tom Coughlin-led New York Giants route and get hot the second half of the season. Should that happen, there might not be a team that could stop Detroit from going all the way.

West: Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks

It should be another great season for Rams running back Kyren Williams (23).

Easily the hardest division to decide which teams make the playoffs, the west could have just one team (the division winner) or three teams play in the postseason. All but one made necessary roster changes and all coaches have evolved in their schemes. It also helps the west that all four teams have some of, if not the easiest schedules this season. It will be disappointing if somehow only one of the four teams makes the playoffs.

San Francisco is probably the weakest due to their roster turnover, lack of offensive talent and lack of depth on the defensive line. Arizona could have success, but questions remain about the offense and head coach Jonathan Gannon’s coaching after two inconsistent seasons.

While Los Angeles has some similar issues as the Cardinals, the differences are at head coach, quarterback and offensive line. The trio of Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett IV gives the Rams more room to adapt to any offensive system. General manager Les Snead again delivered in the draft and coach Sean McVay is a former Super Bowl champion who still finds ways to get the most out of unexpected and underrated players. The division race will be close, but Los Angeles gets the nod because they have better coaching and a more veteran roster than do the other three teams.

There’s irony in Sam Darnold going to Seattle after franchise star cornerback Devon Witherspoon spooked him last year.

Seattle can make it a close race all season. Mike MacDonald’s defense will be a top five unit in the league with star-studded names and depth on the defensive line and secondary. Offensive improvement starts with the offensive line. It appears general manager John Schneider doubled down on that in the draft, and with MacDonald’s philosophy of running the football to establish dominance and time of possession advantages, the Seahawks are poised to be a pain for more than just their division rivals.

Total 2024-2025 regular and postseason NFC picks: 8-5

2025 AFC Playoff Picks

August 19, 2025 jminx942 Comments

Let us briefly look at the American Football Conference and a complex 2024. From close division winning races to Kansas City’s continued conference championship domination, the biggest takeaway was the continued west division arms race. Meanwhile, the other three divisions could have any team come out on top and no wild card team make the playoffs. The remaining three teams that don’t win a division title could be in the west.

As the Chiefs go for another title run in a conference that again improved at every position, at least two other teams outside the AFC west are favored to challenge the reigning conference champions and make the Super Bowl. Time to break down which seven teams in the AFC have the best chance of reaching the playoffs for 2026.

East: Buffalo Bills

Reigning MVP Josh Allen (17) should again lead one of the NFL’s best offenses to another division title.

Reminiscent of the old AFC east days, this year’s division should have a clear winner and three duds. New York looks like a hot mess and Miami has all the signs of a continued downward spiral. New England is a nice wild-card choice for those optimistic in both new head coach Mike Vrabel and sophomore quarterback Drake Maye’s progression. Yet, the Patriots don’t have the talent to last a whole season in the playoff conversation. This leaves the Bills as the lone, easy choice.

Buffalo’s defense will be the big question mark for how far they go in the postseason. For now, the Bills are experienced and good enough to punch their playoff ticket.

South: Houston Texans

Derek Stingley Jr. is confident he and the rest of Houston’s secondary will silence every offense on their schedule.

As in the east, the south unfortunately has at least two teams easily eliminated before the regular season begins. Tennessee will be undermanned and overpowered almost every week and Indianapolis has no answer at quarterback. Jacksonville may surprise many with offensive growth and improved play, but the real team to watch is Houston.

The Texans went all-in on re-tooling the offense and defense after a disappointing 2024-25 regular season. Although Houston played well in the postseason, injuries and lack of depth at receiver, linebacker and secondary were concerns in the offseason. Receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios provide the needed receiver depth. Nick Niemann, Darrell Taylor and E.J. Speed beef up an anemic linebacker core. Finally, the Texan secondary will be one of the best and deepest in the NFL with their additions of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jalen Mills. Both join a stacked cornerback and safety group that includes Derek Stingley Jr., Ronald Darby, Jaylen Reed, Jimmie Ward, Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter.

North: Baltimore Ravens

Another season for (left to right) Lamar Jackson, Isaiah Likely and Zay Flowers means more growth and a better chance of getting to a Super Bowl.

There’s a theme here. Cleveland does not inspire confidence with their quarterback situation. Cincinnati’s porous defense weighs down any chances of success. Pittsburgh’s investment in a 41 year old quarterback to lead a further depleted offense is a case of wishful thinking and a probable recipe for disaster. Baltimore easily stands out from the other three.

As long as Lamar Jackson is healthy and under center, none of the other three teams have a chance at winning the north. While the Ravens didn’t lose or gain much talent in the offseason, the offensive line, Jackson and receivers like Isaiah Likely, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman have another full season to play together. Baltimore has to win more than just one playoff game with this core group.

West: All of them/Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders

Until a team de-thrones them, Kansas City remains the favorite to win their division and conference.

The AFC West will be the toughest division in either conference this season. The other three divisions don’t boast many challenges outside of last year’s division winners. This leaves a rare, unique, and plausible opportunity for all four western teams to clinch a playoff spot.

Two easy picks are the AFC’s top team Kansas City Chiefs and the rising Denver Broncos. As long as Kansas City’s head coach Andy Reid has defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, face of the franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and edge rusher Chris Jones, the Chiefs remain the favorite to clinch another division title.

Yet they cannot underestimate Denver head coach Sean Payton, sophomore quarterback Bo Nix, reigning defensive player of the year Pat Surtain II and receivers Marvin Mims Jr. and Courtland Sutton. The Broncos will be one of the few teams that can go blow-for-blow on all sides of the ball with the Chiefs. Both regular season rivalry games will be must-watch T.V. because they could determine which team takes the west.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert won’t be asked to do too much again this season with a deeper running game.

As Kansas City and Denver strive to surpass last year’s results, Los Angeles will try and keep their early playoff hopes alive. Preseason injuries on the offensive line are already a red flag. Rashawn Slater is out until next autumn and Mekhi Becton already dealing with an undisclosed injury shows the Chargers have to lean more on the running game. Luckily for them, head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have emphasized the running game remains a priority heading into week one. Re-signing receiver Keenan Allen and adding defensive depth with cornerback Donte Jackson will matter deeper into the season.

Finally, the last team serious analysts consider a valid wild-card contender and division factor will be the Las Vegas Raiders. The first head coach hired in Tom Brady’s co-ownership tenure was Pete Carroll. Carroll and general manager John Spytek traded for Seattle quarterback Geno Smith, signed runningback Raheem Mostert and safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency, and drafted Boise State phenom runningback and one of last season’s Heisman Trophy candidates Ashton Jeanty in the first round. The defense lost a number of players in the offseason, but Carroll’s coaching expertise with linebackers and the secondary will improve a unit that got better last year despite a lackluster offense giving up some wins. The offense has more long-term talent at every position. That should make the defense more fun to watch.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has a laugh with new head coach Pete Carroll. Both expect more growth on defense this year.

Total 2024-2025 regular and postseason AFC picks: 8-5

August 2025 WNBA Power Rankings: Move Over Napheesa, it’s the A’ja Wilson Show

August 19, 2025 jminx941 Comment

Aces star center A’ja Wilson shrugs after she scored 29 points on her 29th birthday August eighth in Seattle.

For most of this season, the unanimous MVP pick has been Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier. Collier is a shut-down defender, an elite scorer and the Lynx’s team leader on every side of the ball. Without Napheesa Collier’s leadership, Minnesota is not seen as a championship contender despite the complimentary players, great coaching and first place record. Collier’s importance can’t be stressed enough.

So when she injured her ankle against the Las Vegas Aces on August 3rd, shockwaves rippled throughout the league. Collier will remain out another week as the Lynx stay on autopilot and try to keep hold of the top playoff seed. The conversation now pivots to who else could win Defensive Player of the Year and MVP. Many will ask and guess which other top players should be considered for the league’s top awards. The longer Collier stays out, the more likely voters go in another direction and choose someone else.

Defensive player of the year could go back to Minnesota’s newly acquired forward DiJonai Carrington. Not only was she the Dallas Wings’ best defender until her trade, she has elevated the Lynx defense since Collier’s absence. Seattle’s Ezi Magbegor and Gabby Williams have kept the Storm competitive in the playoff race as long as possible because of their improved defense. Opposing offenses hate going to the basket when Magbegor’s in the paint, and Williams is a menace one-on-one.

MVP talks may also shift to Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, who has recorded five triple doubles this season (with four in August). The Mercury are a roller coaster since the signing of DeWanna Bonner, so the Thomas take may not go far. The biggest name that currently stands out for MVP is Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson. Voters could choose her for both MVP and DPoY.

A month ago, many were hoping Wilson wouldn’t injure herself with how many games the Aces had after the All-Star break. Not only has A’ja Wilson been on another level since play resumed, she’s finally getting needed help from the coaches and role players. Las Vegas has played like their former champion selves with how their offense shreds opposing defenses. They can keep up with almost every team on a nightly and weekly basis (except Minnesota) after their recent wins against New York and Phoenix.

Wilson’s performances this month show she’s not just a valid candidate for MVP, but still the league’s best player. Wilson’s 29 point performance on her 29th birthday (August eighth) led to a win in Seattle that gave the Storm their fourth straight loss and the Aces a top eight playoff seed. Two days later against lowly Connecticut, Wilson recorded the league’s first ever 30 point, 20 rebound game. Las Vegas had to fight for the victory, but there was never a doubt which team would win.

The Aces have won seven straight and nine of their last ten games. One factor that should help determine who wins MVP is how both teams would look without their stars. The Aces are not a playoff contender without A’ja Wilson. The Lynx boast one of the WNBA’s best players in Napheesa Collier, but anyone who has watched Minnesota closely knows the most important person on that team is coach Cheryl Reeve. The Lynx still haven’t lost a game since Collier injured her ankle in a 50+ point win against Las Vegas over two weeks ago. If Wilson missed over two weeks of the regular season, the Aces could be one of the worst teams to watch in professional sports.

There is balance and even irony here after Napheesa Collier tried closing the MVP race gap when A’ja Wilson won the award last year, because this year it’s Wilson trying to do the same to Collier. The most important factors will be how much longer Collier sits out and how Minnesota plays after a loss without her. If Las Vegas and Wilson keep winning pivotal games against the other top three teams before September, then the MVP conversation and pick may be a toss-up. Not to mention the other six teams will be upset the Aces are the worst team to play right before the playoffs. Only a well-built, well-coached and organized team could win a series against Las Vegas right now.

Reigning WNBA MVP center A’ja Wilson is second in points and rebounds, fourth in steals, third in blocks and double-doubles, and first in stocks and 30 point games this season.

Time for the final monthly power rankings of the regular season. Some teams will have tiebreakers based on how they perform on a neutral site.

#13 Connecticut Sun (last ranking: 13)

There is no doubt that this season has been one kick to the jewels after another for Connecticut. If it’s not being embarrassed each night and going in the record books for the wrong reasons, the growing takes about a bidding war regarding the Sun staying in Hartford versus moving to Boston dominate headlines. This may be one of the worst seasons a professional U.S. sports team has recorded in a long time.

#12 Dallas Wings (last ranking: 12)

There have been a lot of front office blunders and mis-managment this season. Very few understand why DiJonai Carrington was traded. Unanimous rookie of the year Paige Bueckers continues to play with an injured back. Coach Chris Koclanes seemingly has no idea what he’s doing nor can he utilize the best out of his forwards and centers. I would normally say the offseason would help, but with Dallas messing up more than one offseason, one has to wonder how much worse things can get.

#11 Chicago Sky (last ranking: 10)

Center Kamilla Cardoso has quietly been one of the best bigs since play resumed. Not only is she leading the team each game, she looks more confident and determined. Despite how well she has played, Chicago’s front office did nothing at the trade deadline and didn’t sign a meaningful player. How is it Indiana signed Odyssey Sims by August tenth when Chicago had at least two weeks to make the move? The Sky haven’t scored 80+ points since Angel Reese last played. Coach Tyler Marsh has no answers for how to improve the offense in the second half of each game and the schedule doesn’t get any easier.

#10 Washington Mystics (last ranking: 6)

Originally, the main article in these power rankings was supposed to be a proper conversation about Washington’s improvement since last season’s abysmal start. Then the Mystics traded Brittney Sykes to Seattle and last year’s first round pick Aaliyah Edwards to Connecticut. In the short-term, those moves torpedoed a lot of good feelings and serious playoff chances. What saves the Mystics from being worse than the three teams listed above is their front office’s long-term commitment to building a championship caliber roster via the draft and free agency. Washington drafted two talented rookie guards to build around and have made them the franchise faces. Now the Mystics have to add the proper forward and center depth around them this offseason.

#9 Seattle Storm (last ranking: 4)

In a complete and shocking reverse from last rankings, Seattle has tumbled since the All-Star break. Part of the fall is due to the trade for Brittney Sykes at the trade deadline and coaching. However, I see a more glaring problem: the Storm have an old starting five. Seattle’s double overtime loss to Los Angeles August second may go down as their most important game of this season and possibly this decade given how it exposed the team’s exhaustion against a younger, more inexperienced Sparks each minute. The Storm went from a dark-horse title contender to a probable, easy out if they make the playoffs. That is the biggest shock of the season.

#8 Los Angeles Sparks (last ranking: 11)

On the flip, Los Angeles’s double over-time home win against Seattle on August 2 may be the start of something special with this roster. The decision to give Cameron Brink a minutes restriction was a great call after her recent ankle scare in New York August 12. Brink looks fantastic after missing a year of play, and the starters are a handful for any team. Azura Stevens is an underrated three-point shooter and former Aces Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum compliment last year’s first round pick Rickea Jackson well. Outside of games against the Liberty, Mercury, and a weird loss to the Mystics, Los Angeles could roll into a lower playoff seed as one of the most dangerous teams this postseason.

#7 Indiana Fever (last ranking: 7)

Until they signed Odyssey Sims, injuries to Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson reduced Indiana to one starting guard. McDonald was also in the most improved player conversation after injuries to Kayla Thornton and Angel Reese. Many are left nervously wondering who else goes down to season ending injuries by next month, after guard Sophie Cunningham suffered what looked like a serious knee injury Sunday in Connecticut.

#6 Golden State Valkyries (last ranking: 9)

It’s a shame Kayla Thornton is lost for the rest of the regular season after suffering a knee injury after the All-Star game. It took a few weeks for Golden State to find a suitable replacement. Luckily they have something special with guard Tiffany Hayes. Hayes has played well this month as she’s second in team points and third in assists. The Valkyries drafted some great players their first year and coach Natalie Nakase could be a coach of the year finalist if Golden State hangs on to their current playoff position.

#5 Las Vegas Aces (last ranking: 8)

A’ja Wilson’s MVP-caliber play aside, two changes have made Las Vegas a better, more competitive team: trading for Dallas forward NaLyssa Smith, and coach Becky Hammon relegating Jewell Loyd to the bench.

Smith is already the second best rebounder on the Aces and gives her new teammates a cushion on defense. Her ability to take care of the opposing offense’s top scorer puts Wilson in better defensive positions and analyze how the offense can take advantage in transition.

The second change had to happen before September. Loyd’s play got worse each game and she had to be benched at some point. Then Loyd herself requested that she come off the bench. Having Jewell Loyd watch and analyze what’s going on to start each game, make adjustments and then substitute in could be the difference from Vegas going home early to favored for a deep playoff run.

#4 Phoenix Mercury (last ranking: 2)

I have Phoenix above Las Vegas because they would have the advantage of winning a full series. The Aces struggled most of their last game against the Mercury and many believe forward Kahleah Copper would have a similar, if not better performance (she usually plays well in the postseason). However, Phoenix has been one of the more inconsistent teams since play resumed. One could say the Mercury are trying to figure out how to play veteran DeWanna Bonner with the starters, but that doesn’t explain why they look great for a few games and awful the next one or two. For a team that has one of the most talented rosters in the WNBA, Phoenix has been a disappointment.

#3 New York Liberty (last ranking: 3)

The same can be said with New York, but their excuse is Breanna Stewart hasn’t and probably won’t play this month because of a leg injury. Whenever the Liberty were hot, a crucial player went out for a month with an injury. It’s a shame too because without the injuries, New York could be the league’s best team.

#2 Atlanta Dream (last ranking: 5)

My predictions for Coach of the Year are between Natalie Nakase, Cheryl Reeve, and Karl Smesko. Smesko’s work with Atlanta catapulted the Dream from playoff outlier to second best. Atlanta is the best rebounding team and hard to stop at the three-point line. The Dream also caught a big break considering star guard Jordin Canada is sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury. Atlanta can’t afford to be without Canada the whole playoffs.

#1 Minnesota Lynx (last ranking: 1)

It is almost unfair how good Minnesota is despite Napheesa Collier’s ankle injury. Almost. Not even 24 hours after Collier was went down, the Lynx went all-in and picked up the ambitious Dijonai Carrington from Dallas. Minnesota is more aggressive on defense and veteran guard Kayla McBride has stepped up on offense. It is hard to fathom how the Lynx wouldn’t make the championship with how they adapt each game.