Beneath strain is among the hardest locations to reside within the NFL, each on and off the sphere. Strain forces groups and gamers to behave irrationally in hopes to ease the strain, resulting in disasters on the sphere like sacks and interceptions–and extra inquiries to be answered off the sphere. This yr, there are lots of groups below strain to win straight away, or repeat the success they’d final yr. Whether or not it’s to save lots of an enormous swing on the QB spot, or the fixed progress of the workforce resulting in what needs to be a playoff look. Strain could make diamonds, or burst pipes–which groups are below probably the most strain in 2025?
Indianapolis Colts
If you need a glance into the story pitching course of, I pitched this story with the Colts in thoughts. I don’t assume there’s a warmer seat than the one GM Chris Ballard and HC Shane Steichen sit in, and the strain is on to lastly take the reins in a division that resembles Fury Highway greater than true competitiveness. The Anthony Richardson period is on its’ final legs, and the reply for competitors is…Daniel Jones. Yeah that’s actually inspiring. On high of that, the offensive line goes by some modifications and the receiver room (whereas gifted) can by no means put collectively consecutive video games of fine play.
The AFC South is true there for grabs, however it feels just like the Colts are slipping additional and additional behind, even with the Texans revamping their offensive line and Jaguars present process one other regime change. The Colts ought to have the expertise defensively and playcalling to change into an element, but when this doesn’t work out, it may spell the top for Ballard, Richardson and Steichen in Indy.
Buffalo Payments/Baltimore Ravens
I’m together with each groups right here as a result of the query is straightforward: if not now, when? The window is open with each groups having elite QBs, however this may very well be probably the most weak Chiefs workforce we’ve seen in a very long time. With Buffalo and Baltimore being as robust as they’re, they go into the season as two of the favorites to win the entire thing. Nevertheless, for causes unknown to man, they get to the playoffs in opposition to Kansas Metropolis (and one another) and overlook learn how to play soccer. The Ravens have an argument for the very best roster in soccer and the continuity of preserving each coordinators, and the Payments aren’t far behind. With two of the very best QBs in soccer, the time needs to be now for them to make a Tremendous Bowl. In the event that they don’t, the questions will solely get louder.
Arizona Cardinals
One of many different groups I considered when pitching this story, the Cardinals are on the precipice of being nice. They completed the 2024 season within the high ten of defensive EPA per play and continued so as to add to that aspect of the ball, and have stars on the vital ability positions on offense. Nevertheless, the largest query lies at sign caller. Kyler Murray is extremely gifted, however can he work on this offense and WR Marvin Harrison Jr? Final season, Murray and Harrison Jr. seemed far too out of sync to make an impression, lacking on fade routes and communication being utterly off. For a workforce that hopes to make the playoffs for the primary time since 2019, Murray and the Cardinals are below immense strain to get it proper this yr.
Pittsburgh Steelers
I imply, we are able to’t write this with out having the Steelers on right here. This workforce is constructed to make it to the Divisional Spherical of the NFL playoffs, and I feel that’s what they’d take into account a profitable season. The Steelers are below lots of strain this season as a result of this model of the Steelers won’t be round for for much longer. Rodgers has insinuated that this is able to be his final yr, Cam Heyward is on his final legs and this workforce isn’t precisely constructed for the long run. But, Steelers followers have needed extra than simply to bow out within the Wild Card. If the Steelers succumb to the identical destiny, would this season be thought of a failure? What occurs to GM Omar Khan in that scenario? The strain is on in Pittsburgh to do one thing of consequence within the playoffs, however the query is that if they’re constructed to try this.
