With the 2025 NFL season on the horizon, futures markets are heating up as bettors look for value beyond the usual favorites. Sure, the Chiefs, 49ers, and Eagles will draw most of the action. But every year, some teams come out of nowhere to crush expectations — and cash tickets for those bold enough to back them early.
Here’s a closer look at the teams with the talent, momentum, and storylines to shake up the 2025 NFL landscape and surprise bettors.
Washington Commanders
No team made a bigger leap last year than Washington. After a 4–13 season in 2023, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and coach Dan Quinn fueled a stunning 12–5 turnaround capped by an NFC Championship Game run.
The front office kept its foot on the gas this offseason, adding left tackle Laremy Tunsil, wideout Deebo Samuel, and first-round tackle Josh Conerly to give Daniels more protection and firepower. On defense, veterans Von Miller and Will Harris bring leadership to a group that already proved it can punch above its weight.
With a mix of rising stars and proven winners, the Commanders become a legitimate threat in an NFC East long ruled by the Eagles and Cowboys. For bettors scanning the broader market, it’s a good time to check out NFL future odds and see how stories like Washington’s can shake up expectations.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos turned heads by using the 12th overall pick in 2024 on quarterback Bo Nix, and the gamble paid off. Nix finished his rookie campaign with a 126.0 passer rating over the final three games, showing poise beyond his years.
Denver’s defense remains the bedrock; Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II returns, joined by first-round corner Jahdae Barron, safety Talanoa Hufanga, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. With Sean Payton refining Nix’s skillset and a young offensive core that includes Marvin Mims Jr. and RJ Harvey, the Broncos have one of the league’s most exciting rosters.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers fans once again face a fresh chapter at quarterback, and this one comes with all the drama you’d expect. Aaron Rodgers arrives in Pittsburgh as the team’s fourth Week 1 starter in as many years, bringing both Hall of Fame credentials and lingering questions about age and durability. After his Jets tenure fizzled with injuries, many wondered if his best days were behind him. Yet when Rodgers is healthy, he remains one of the most efficient passers in NFL history.
The front office equipped him with the tools to succeed right away. Rodgers will be throwing to DK Metcalf, a physical mismatch on the outside, while tight end Jonnu Smith provides a reliable target in the red zone. Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson adds versatility to the backfield, giving Pittsburgh more balance than it has had in recent years. On defense, Mike Tomlin’s group remains rugged and capable of carrying games when the offense stumbles.
The Steelers live on the knife’s edge. If Rodgers stays upright and finds rhythm, they could be a dangerous wild card in the AFC North. If the experiment falls flat, it could unravel quickly. That volatility is precisely what makes Pittsburgh intriguing for bettors looking for value plays in 2025.
New England Patriots
A familiar face takes over in New England. Former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, who enjoyed Super Bowl glory in Foxborough, returns as head coach. He inherits a team that has languished since Tom Brady’s departure but showed signs of life under rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Maye threw 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
The front office doubled down on offense, selecting LSU tackle Will Campbell fourth overall and signing veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a three‑year contract. With Vrabel’s leadership and an upgraded supporting cast, the Patriots could leapfrog the Jets and Dolphins in a tightly packed AFC East.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals took a significant step forward in 2024, improving from 4–13 to 8–9, and now they appear poised to push even further. Kyler Murray finally has the right weapons around him, with Marvin Harrison Jr. stretching defenses and Trey McBride emerging as a Pro Bowl target over the middle. That combination gives Murray a balanced, multi-layered offense that should be much harder to contain this season.
On defense, Jonathan Gannon wanted more playmakers and got them. Rookie tackle Walter Nolen brings disruptive power up front, while cornerback Will Johnson upgrades the secondary and allows for more aggressive schemes. Combined with an NFC West that no longer has a clear powerhouse, Arizona has the talent on both sides of the ball to turn last year’s progress into a legitimate playoff run.
Bettors looking to spot value early should check out FanDuel’s Guide to NFL analysis for how the Cardinals fit into the sleeper conversation.
Final Thoughts
Futures betting thrives on finding value in teams flying below the radar. Each of these squads has a plausible path to outperform preseason expectations. As training camps progress and preseason games unfold, bettors should monitor injuries, scheme fits, and emergent chemistry. In a league where worst-to-first turnarounds happen every year, staking a position on one of these potential sleepers could pay dividends when the season kicks off.