The Gryphon Gazette

By: Niam N. ‘26

The 2025 NFL season gave fans everything they could ask for – shocking upsets, record-breaking performances, and showdowns that will be discussed for years to come. From stars on the come-up to franchise-defining moments, this season helped reshape the league in ways no one could have predicted. With new faces/positions entering the MVP conversation and a mix of old/new contenders battling for league-wide dominance, the season proved that the NFL is more unpredictable than ever.

Regular Season Recap: Chaos and Comebacks

If you thought you knew what to expect this season, you were probably wrong. The most surprising storylines of the year weren’t about the usual Super Bowl contenders, though they were definitely around, but rather the resurgence of quarterbacks that most people had already written off. Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, two guys most fans considered busts, somehow found their groove and had the best seasons of their careers. Darnold made the Seahawks’ offense look smooth and efficient, while Mayfield brought the Buccaneers back into the conversation as a solid team.

But while some of these overpreformers were making headlines for the right reasons, a lot of big-name teams were making them for all the wrong ones. The 49ers, Cowboys, Bengals, and Dolphins all missed the playoffs, despite being loaded with talent. Injuries and inconsistent play wrecked their seasons, and now they’re all left to figure out what went wrong.

The true juggernauts of the year were the Kansas City Chiefs (led by Mr. Voodoo Magic himself), Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and, shockingly enough, the Washington Redskins. Each team showed their dominance throughout the regular season, with Kansas City leading the way as they attempted to do the impossible—win their third straight Super Bowl.

MVP Race: The Tightest Competition Yet

If you followed the MVP race this season, you know it was a rollercoaster. For most of the year, it was a battle between Lamar Jackson of the Ravens and Josh Allen of the Bills. Both quarterbacks put up numbers that would win them MVP in almost any other year.

Lamar Jackson was putting up incredible passing stats- 41 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions- making it the best passing season of his career. Not only that, but his Ravens squad was stacked, featuring nine Pro Bowlers who helped him lead the team to a 12-5 record. His quarterback rating was the fourth-highest ever recorded, which speaks for itself.

On the other hand, Josh Allen’s numbers weren’t quite as flashy, but his impact was undeniable. He threw for 28 touchdowns and rushed for 12 more, making him the most versatile threat in the league. Despite not having the same level of talent around him, he guided the Bills to a 13-4 record, slightly better than Baltimore’s. For some people, that alone made him the more deserving MVP.

And let’s not forget Saquon Barkley. Sure, the MVP award almost always goes to a quarterback, but Barkley made his case loud and clear with over 2,000 rushing yards. What made it even crazier was that he sat out the final game of the season, forfeiting his chance to break the all-time rushing record out of respect for the game. Despite it being a classy move, it might’ve cost him the trophy.

Playoffs: Historic Runs and High Stakes

The playoffs were absolutely electric. The Kansas City Chiefs chased history, trying to complete the NFL’s first-ever three-peat. However, in the end, they came up way short against the victorious Philadelphia Eagles. 

Then there’s the Washington Commanders, a team nobody expected to be here. They drafted Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick last year, and he’s already turned the franchise around. Leading a pretty average defense, Daniels has been the spark Washington needed to finally be relevant again, leading them to a Conference Championship appearance in his rookie season. 

Meanwhile, the AFC was stacked with quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and C.J. Stroud all gunning for their first Super Bowl appearance. Unfortunately, none could get the job done, falling short to the extremely playoff-experienced quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. Jared Goff also proved himself in the NFC after coming close in Super Bowl LIII, but never quite got over the hump.

With so many top-tier teams and dramatic storylines, this year’s postseason was nothing short of cinema. 

Looking Ahead to 2026

No matter what happens in the postseason, this year sets the stage for even more excitement in 2026. The young talent across the league is incredible, and the gap between the top teams and everyone else feels smaller than ever.

Guys like Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud are already establishing themselves as future superstars. Meanwhile, veterans like Mahomes, Jackson, and Allen are still playing at their absolute peaks. The offseason will be packed with drama, especially with big-name free agents and a stacked draft class ready to shake things up even more.

Review

The 2024-25 NFL season was the definition of wild. From surprising comeback seasons to heartbreaking playoff misses, the league feels like it’s shifting in a big way. With the season about to start and lots on the line for certain teams, there’s no telling what kind of chaos is about to unfold.

All we know is that it’s going to be amazing to watch.