Because the NFL turns its consideration towards teaching adjustments, roster shakeups, the Tremendous Bowl and draft season, fan confidence varies wildly from metropolis to metropolis. Under, Yardbarker NFL writers ranked each NFL fan base on a easy scale: “1” means sky-high confidence, whereas “5” represents a franchise staring into the abyss.
(2025 regular-season document in parentheses.)
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-9-1) | Fan base confidence score: 4 | Even essentially the most optimistic Cowboys fan is aware of the group is languishing in mediocrity, with out a clear path ahead. QB Dak Prescott had the second-highest anticipated factors per try (106.8), however with out a league-average protection or cohesive plan round him, the ceiling will stay low for the Cowboys.
NEW YORK GIANTS (4-13) | Fan base confidence score: 1 |
It could be onerous to know why a fan base that simply watched their group go 4-13 is assured, however hiring a brand new head coach with the 14th-most wins in NFL historical past will make any downtrodden fan optimistic. With John Harbaugh now on the helm, the wanted change is coming to the Giants because the franchise tries to reclaim its glory days. With a younger core headlined by QB Jaxson Dart, Harbaugh is poised to mildew the group right into a winner that Giants followers can take pleasure in.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6) | Fan base confidence score: 2 | Ask Eagles followers about their underwhelming one-and-done within the playoffs and it could sound just like the fan base is at its lowest. However the Eagles are coming off successful their second Tremendous Bowl championship in a decade, and the superb roster will largely stay the identical subsequent season. If the group can repair its offensive points, the Eagles ought to be again within the championship hunt in 2026.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (5-12) | Fan base confidence score: 3 |
Washington soccer followers have skilled the depths of hell, and whereas their 5-12 season was something however pleasant, the group is just a 12 months faraway from an NFC Championship Sport look. Sure, a roster overhaul is required, however with QB Jayden Daniels set to return from damage, there’s no cause Commanders followers ought to assume they’re returning to their darkest days. They’ve the QB; it’s time to correctly construct round him. — Conor Killmurray
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-14) | Fan base confidence score: 5 | There’s not a lot for Cardinals followers to be thankful for. Arizona has not appeared within the playoffs because the 2021 season and completed this season on a nine-game shedding streak. With QB Kyler Murray’s future doubtful and a vacant head-coaching place after the firing of Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals seem like caught till vital adjustments are made.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (12-5) | Fan base confidence score: 2 |
It is onerous to not be assured within the Rams as they sit one win from the Tremendous Bowl. QB Matthew Stafford led the NFL in passing TDs (46) and passing yards (4,707), whereas huge receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams led the league in receptions (129) and TD catches (14), respectively. An inconsistent stretch getting into the playoffs and the unsure way forward for Stafford are issues, however there’s a lot to love concerning the path of this franchise.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-5) | Fan base confidence score: 3 |
The 2025 season was one other occasion of the 49ers falling quick beneath head coach Kyle Shanahan. A late-season surge and the group’s skill to beat key accidents all through the season can’t be ignored. Nonetheless, the $120M mistake with WR Brandon Aiyuk and two lopsided losses to the Seattle Seahawks in two of their final three video games ended the season on a bitter be aware.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (14-3) | Fan base confidence score: 1 | How can this be something however a 1 for the Seahawks beneath second-year HC Mike Macdonald? On the heels of their first Tremendous Bowl look because the 2014 season, the Seahawks are led by their league-leading protection (16.6 PPG) and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who recorded a league-best 1,793 receiving yards. Quarterback Sam Darnold, a pleasant shock, accomplished a career-high 67.7% of his passes throughout the common season. — Colby Colwell
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (11-6) | Fan base confidence score: 1 | How might this be something however a 1 after the magical season from head coach Ben Johnson and QB Caleb Williams? Williams, who almost led the Bears to the NFC Championship Sport and was good within the clutch all season, is on a trajectory to turn out to be one of many few elite QBs within the NFL. If the Bears can enhance their cross rush, they’ll be a high Tremendous Bowl contender in 2026.
DETROIT LIONS (9-8) | Fan base confidence score: 3 |
The Lions received’t panic about lacking the playoffs this season due to the numerous accidents they suffered, however followers can’t be as assured as they had been heading into the earlier two offseasons. The protection is a significant query with defensive tackles D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez, linebacker Alex Anzalone, cornerback Amik Robertson and edges Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad set to hit free company, and followers shouldn’t be thrilled about Drew Petzing taking up as offensive coordinator after his disappointing stint in Arizona.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-7-1) | Fan base confidence score: 2 | Inexperienced Bay followers is likely to be disillusioned with head coach Matt LaFleur after the Packers blew a 21-3 result in the Bears within the wild-card spherical, marking the fifth straight season of failing to achieve the NFC Championship Sport, however this group is constructed to contend for a Tremendous Bowl subsequent season. After LB Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL in Week 15, the Packers misplaced their final 4 video games within the common season. Getting Parsons and tight finish Tucker Kraft again from damage will propel Inexperienced Bay to the highest tier within the NFC.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-8) | Fan base confidence score: 3 | This might simply be a 4, however persistence is critical right here after QB J.J. McCarthy threw 11 landing passes and 12 interceptions and missed video games due to damage in his first season as a starter. The Michigan product deserves one other 12 months to show he generally is a franchise QB, and the protection ought to be a high unit if Brian Flores returns as DC. Observe: Vikings followers can be distraught if Sam Darnold leads the Seahawks to a Tremendous Bowl. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9) | Fan base confidence score: 3 | After failing to get any greater than a cursory look from John Harbaugh, the Falcons efficiently pivoted to candidate No. 2 of their head coach search, one other former AFC North coach in Kevin Stefanski, who was fired by the Cleveland Browns. His arrival could have QB Kirk Cousins, who he labored alongside in 2018-19 with the Minnesota Vikings, rethink wanting to depart in free company. Stefanski’s observe document of emphasizing the run additionally implies even greater issues might lie forward for star working again Bijan Robinson, which ought to be trigger for celebration amongst Falcons followers.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-9) | Fan base confidence score: 2 | The Panthers almost pulled off one of many greatest upsets in playoff historical past in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams within the wild-card spherical, proving head coach Dave Canales has Carolina trending in the best path heading into his third season. The entrance workplace’s choice to take issues cautiously with QB Bryce Younger, who has been frustratingly inconsistent since his 2023 rookie season, can also be a optimistic. The Arizona Cardinals with Kyler Murray and the Miami Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa function cautionary tales in handing out large QB extensions.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-11) | Fan base confidence score: 3 | Regardless of lacking the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, the Saints ended the season on a excessive be aware, going 5-3 over their final eight video games — together with a four-game win streak from Weeks 14-17. Plus, they could have discovered a long-term reply at QB in rookie Tyler Shough. He was a part of a rookie class ESPN ranked as the best in 2025, which, for a group that had no playoff aspirations getting into the season, is a mark of success. With the best offseason strikes, New Orleans can contend for a division title in 2026, one thing that may have felt inconceivable after the group fell to 1-8 on Nov. 2.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-9) | Fan base confidence score: 4 | Tampa Bay’s four-year run atop the NFC South ended, elevating questions on this roster’s contending window and whether or not it could have closed. Head coach Todd Bowles is 36-36 (together with playoffs) in 4 seasons, and QB Baker Mayfield struggled throughout the group’s 2-7 end, finishing 62.4 % of his cross makes an attempt for 1,774 yards (6.5 yards per try) and 14 whole touchdowns. (He additionally had 11 turnovers.) Per Sports Info Solutions, huge receivers Emeka Egbuka (65.6 %) and Mike Evans (66.7 %) had the bottom catchable ball price amongst wideouts and tight ends with no less than 60 targets throughout the common season, additional highlighting Mayfield’s regarding decline. —
Eric Smithling
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (12-5) | Fan base confidence score: 3 |
Payments followers should be questioning what extra it will take to lastly get again to a Tremendous Bowl. That has turn out to be extra difficult lately after the firing of head coach Sean McDermott and proprietor Terry Pegula’s disastrous presser. With QB Josh Allen heading into his age-30 season, a way of urgency exists.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-10) | Fan base confidence score: 4 | Dolphins followers are stressed. They need to be. The group hasn’t received a playoff sport because the 2000 season. The group fired head coach Mike McDaniel, and QB Tua Tagovailoa’s future with the group stays unsure after his benching for rookie Quinn Ewers for the ultimate three video games.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3) | Fan base confidence score: 1 |
Something moreover a 1 can be a disservice to the unbelievable job by head coach Mike Vrabel. One win away from its first Tremendous Bowl look because the 2018 season, New England has exceeded expectations. QB Drake Maye is an MVP candidate, and the third-ranked protection (17.8 PPG) has shone.
NEW YORK JETS (3-14) | Fan base confidence score: 5 | What else is there to say concerning the Jets after one other wasted season? Even with defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn main the best way, the Jets turned the first team since 1933 to have zero interceptions in a season. It can not get a lot worse in case you are a Jets fan, however with two first-round draft picks in 2026 and a few younger expertise on the present roster, there should be a light-weight on the finish of the tunnel finally, proper? — Colby Colwell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (14-3) | Fan base confidence score: 1 | Broncos followers ought to stay extremely optimistic, even when backup QB Jarrett Stidham doesn’t cause them to an upset over the Patriots within the AFC Championship Sport on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, CBS). (Beginning QB Bo Nix suffered a damaged proper ankle in a 33-30 overtime win over the Bills in the divisional round and is sidelined.) With a brilliant head coach in Sean Payton and a deep roster that features cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Denver should remain in Super Bowl contention in 2026.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-11) | Fan base confidence score: 3 |
The Chiefs are getting into a reboot after lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2014. QB Patrick Mahomes — who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in December — is targeting a Week 1 return. Mahomes alone, although, will not plug all their offensive holes (21.3 factors per sport in 2025, No. 21 within the NFL).
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-14) | Fan base confidence score: 5 | Good luck to presumptive No. 1 total decide Fernando Mendoza; the Indiana Hoosiers QB will want loads of it to make it in Vegas… if the group picks him, as anticipated. The Raiders have gone 7-27 over their previous 34 video games and are in search of a brand new HC after firing Tremendous Bowl XLVIII champion Pete Carroll.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-6) | Fan base confidence score: 2 | Chargers followers could also be rising pissed off that QB Justin Herbert is 0-3 within the playoffs, however the expected hire of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator might vault the QB to the following stage. Whereas McDaniel served as Dolphins HC from 2022-25, he helped Tua Tagovailoa, a much less proficient QB than Herbert, earn a Professional Bowl nod. Pair higher QB play with a stingy protection (20 PPG in opposition to, No. 9 within the NFL) and the Bolts ought to compete for the division crown in 2026. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-9) | Fan base confidence score: 2 | They’ve a two-time MVP QB in Lamar Jackson within the prime of his profession and a current observe document for competition. There’s a lot to be stated for that and lots of causes to be enthusiastic about what this group can nonetheless do. The Ravens are taking an opportunity by changing a profitable head coach in John Harbaugh with former Chargers DC Jesse Minter, however typically proficient groups simply want a brand new voice.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-11) | Fan base confidence score: 4 | Having a QB pretty much as good as Joe Burrow ought to give a fan base the entire optimism on this planet, however the Bengals have made the playoffs simply two occasions in his six seasons, and all of that shedding appears to be taking a toll on him. Cincinnati has chased away a franchise QB (Carson Palmer) earlier than due to the franchise’s perpetual shedding. Might it occur once more?
CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-12) | Fan base confidence score: 5 | There’s at all times the possibility they will get the brand new head-coaching rent appropriate, however the Browns had a reasonably good head coach in Kevin Stefanski, who couldn’t constantly win with him and was then fired. There’s expertise on the roster, however not sufficient, and positively not sufficient at an important place. Jimmy Haslem’s possession group not often will get something proper.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7) | Fan base confidence score: 3 | The group’s observe document for hiring head coaches is wildly spectacular (solely Chuck Noll, Invoice Cowher and Mike Tomlin since 1969), however Artwork Rooney II has by no means really needed to do the hiring. He should get a brand new coach who can get it proper at QB, or the Steelers will proceed to tread water. — Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (12-5) | Fan base confidence score: 2 | The Texans received six straight to shut the common season and dominated the Steelers 30-6 within the opening spherical of the playoffs. DeMeco Ryans went 12-5 in his third season as the top coach in Houston and has led the group to the playoffs all three years. However QB C.J. Stroud has not recaptured his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr type, an enormous concern.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-9) | Fan base confidence score: 3 | A promising season took a disastrous flip when veteran QB Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14. Jones had been having fun with a profession revival earlier than that, and he’s now headed without spending a dime company. The Colts completed with a shedding document after wanting like a reputable contender for 3 months, and it’s inconceivable to disregard the questions they’ve at an important place.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (13-4) | Fan base confidence score: 2 | The Jaguars are coming off a first-round playoff loss to the Payments, however they skilled an entire turnaround beneath first-year head coach Liam Coen. QB Trevor Lawrence performed at an MVP-caliber stage whereas main Jacksonville to eight straight wins to shut the common season. Given the place their group was a 12 months in the past, Jags followers ought to really feel loads optimistic regardless of the disappointing postseason consequence.
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-14) | Fan base confidence score: 5 | The Titans have a brand new head coach (Robert Saleh) following their second consecutive season with solely three wins. QB Cam Ward, the No. 1 total decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, struggled throughout his rookie season, ending with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. It is too early to say whether or not Ward is a reputable franchise cornerstone, however Tennessee followers don’t have a lot to be enthusiastic about heading into subsequent season. — Steve DelVecchio
