American Football
Five NFL outsiders who could surge into playoff contention
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As the 2025 NFL season plunges toward the final stretch, the margins between hope and heartbreak are razor-thin. Several teams that once felt written off now sit only a couple of wins from wild-card territory.
Here are five such outsiders whose form, remaining schedule, and favourable match-ups make an end-of-season playoff charge plausible.
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Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys currently sit at 5-5-1 in the NFC East – a middling record that nonetheless cloaks more potential than panic. While they trail the division leader, they’re very much alive, given that the NFC East remains competitive and no team has run away with it.
Their recent rally – most notably a dramatic comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles – has shown they have fight and offensive punch when it matters.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys benefit from a manageable remaining schedule within a division where nothing is guaranteed. If they can string together victories – with eminently winnable games against the Giants, Commanders, and Vikings still to come – they could surge to clinch a wild-card berth.
Momentum may be fragile, but Dallas have the firepower to get hot and spring an upset or two.
Houston Texans
In the AFC, the Texans – at 6-5 – find themselves tantalisingly close to the playoffs. Their season has been marked by flashes of potential rather than dominance, but in a conference where parity is the norm this year, that’s perhaps all you need.
Their recent form has improved, despite the loss of star quarterback CJ Stroud to injury – and they currently sit among the teams just outside wild-card contention.
What works in their favour is a comparatively soft remaining schedule and the chance to pick up key wins against fellow AFC South rivals. If they can keep their momentum going, powered by their devastating defense, and avoid late-season slip-ups, Houston could harness this window and supplant one of the more inconsistent teams ahead of them.
Detroit Lions
The Lions emerge as a quietly dangerous dark horse in the NFC North. Sitting at 7-4, they trail the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers in their division, but Detroit remain well within striking distance.
Their most recent performances – including a big game from standout back Jahmyr Gibbs, whose explosive OT run sealed a win over the New York Giants – suggest that Detroit’s offense can still break games open.
With a remaining schedule that doesn’t daunt and a defense that’s shown resilience, the Lions are primed for a late surge. If they capitalise when it counts – particularly against divisional rivals – their blend of offensive spark and defensive steadiness could carry them into the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
At 6-5, the Steelers hover on the edge of wild-card territory in the AFC, currently ahead of the Chiefs on tiebreakers. Their season has been uneven, but they’ve demonstrated the ability to grind out wins even when not firing on all cylinders.
If Aaron Rodgers can play through a broken wrist on his non-throwing arm, the Steelers have enough pedigree and opportunity to sneak into the playoffs. Remaining games against the Dolphins and the Browns should account for a couple of routine wins, while the inconsistent Bills are beatable, too. Additionally, with two games against the Ravens to come, the Steelers could yet even top the AFC North.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs, long seen as perennial contenders, are in danger of missing the playoffs entirely – currently 6-5 and outside the wild-card spots. Their season has been messy, with inconsistency and underwhelming road form undermining what should have been a smooth run to January.
But all isn’t lost. The remaining schedule still holds winnable games, and if Kansas City can string together a few victories, they’ve historically shown they can flip a script under pressure. In a chaotic AFC, it’d take a brave person to bet against the Chiefs coming good when it matters most.
