The 2025 NFL season has already produced surprising plot twists, with projected playoff groups struggling and preseason afterthoughts changing into the speak of the city.
For higher or worse, listed below are the NFL’s most shocking groups getting into Week 6.
1. Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
When issues cannot presumably worsen for the Ravens, they attain new depths. By shedding 44-10 in Week 5 to the Houston Texans, a staff it has traditionally dominated, Baltimore tied for its worst dwelling loss in franchise historical past.
The Ravens made strikes this week to enhance a putrid secondary, acquiring safety Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers for edge-rusher Odafe Oweh and signing free-agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, however that is unlikely to supply quick aid. In Week 6, Baltimore hosts the Los Angeles Rams, who’ve the league’s second-ranked go offense, so QB Matthew Stafford ought to carve up the defensive backfield with wideouts Puka Nacua (who is on a pace for a record-shattering season) and Davante Adams.
Baltimore’s offense, which is prone to be with out two-time MVP beginning quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) for the second consecutive week, will not be capable to sustain in a shootout. Oddsmakers agree, with Los Angeles an 8.5-point favourite, per ESPN BET.
The Ravens seem headed for a 1-5 file getting into their Week 7 bye, however they’ve a way more favorable schedule after they return. According to ESPN’s NFL Football Power Index, Baltimore ranks No. 25 in remaining power of schedule. With a wholesome Jackson and an AFC North up for grabs, do not rule out a second-half surge. But it is simply as probably Baltimore spends all season in a gap it may possibly’t get out of.
2. Indianapolis Colts (4-1)
Essentially the most shocking success story of the season is in Indianapolis, which has surpassed all expectations. Quarterback Daniel Jones, who entered 2025 3-13 in his previous 16 begins, is taking part in like an MVP candidate. By means of 5 video games, the No. 6 general decide of the 2019 NFL Draft is 107-of-150 (71.3 p.c) for 1,290 yards, 9 whole touchdowns and two interceptions.
The offense has generated many of the headlines, and for good motive, however the protection has been a revelation as nicely. The unit has held three of its first 5 opponents underneath 300 yards and compelled a turnover in every recreation. Indy’s fortune won’t change in Week 6 because it hosts the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off one of the most embarrassing collapses in recent history, blowing an 18-point lead at dwelling to the beforehand winless Tennessee Titans. Arizona (2-3) has turned the ball over 5 occasions in its previous two video games.
With street video games remaining towards the Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks, the Colts will quickly present a extra correct gauge on the place they stand. However rather than being a Week 1 flash in the pan, Indianapolis appears to be like constructed for the lengthy haul.
3. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)
Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s predominant competitors for Coach of the 12 months needs to be Kyle Shanahan, who has accomplished a masterful job of main a hobbled 49ers squad to the highest of the NFC West. San Francisco is 3-0 with out beginning quarterback Brock Purdy, with Mac Jones becoming a member of Daniel Jones as one of many yr’s nice reclamation tasks. The Niners are additionally thriving with out elite manufacturing within the run recreation from Christian McCaffrey, who’s averaging 3.1 yards per carry.
San Francisco is already 3-0 in division video games, however to keep up its edge within the NFC West, the offense should turn into extra balanced. By means of Week 5, the Niners are first in go offense (290.6 yards per recreation) however rank final in yards per rush try (3.1) and are the league’s solely staff with out a dashing landing. (Each different staff has at the least two.)
The Jaguars made the AFC South the one NFL division with two one-loss groups after coming again to win at dwelling towards the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs in Week 5.
Jacksonville ranks within the high 10 within the NFL in each scoring offense and scoring protection. The Jaguars have ascending expertise on each side of the ball, with working again Travis Etienne (443 dashing yards) averaging profession highs in yards per carry (5.8) and rush yards per recreation (88.6). First-year head coach Liam Coen has accomplished a great job of working him in advantageous conditions, with Etienne solely going through a stacked field (eight or extra defenders close to the road of scrimmage) on 13 p.c of his carries, the sixth-lowest fee amongst qualifying working backs, per NFL Pro.
The protection, led by first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, a former Inexperienced Bay Packers linebackers coach/run recreation coordinator, has greater than held up on its finish, forcing an NFL-high 14 turnovers. Linebacker Devin Lloyd (4 interceptions, one fumble restoration) is among the league’s most improved gamers. ESPN’s FPI offers the Jaguars a 75.4 p.c likelihood to succeed in the playoffs, the third-highest odds within the AFC, trailing the Buffalo Payments (92.2 p.c) and Colts (85 p.c).
5. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
“I am processing it poorly to let you know the reality,” first-year Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, 74, told reporters after his team’s 40-6 trouncing at the Colts last Sunday.
“I did anticipate to win proper out of the chutes,” Carroll added. Technically, Las Vegas did, defeating the New England Patriots (3-2) in Week 1. However 4 consecutive losses have dimmed hopes of a playoff run and as an alternative raised vital questions, notably at quarterback.
Geno Smith, acquired in a commerce with the Seattle Seahawks within the offseason, has regressed considerably after a robust three-year run as Seahawks starter. By means of 5 video games, Smith leads the NFL in interceptions (9), throwing one on 5.5 p.c of his go makes an attempt, greater than double his fee from 2022-24 (2.1 p.c).
As a substitute of contending for a postseason spot, the Raiders, a longtime doormat, are nearer to the No. 1 decide. Las Vegas is projected to finish the season with the league’s fifth-worst file, per ESPN. The extra issues change, the extra they keep the identical.
