The 2025 NFL season has seen the most parity of any season in a while. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens have sputtered to start the season, which has opened the door for teams that may not have been viewed as championship contenders before the season. Here are some underrated teams that the league should watch out for moving forward.
Denver Broncos 
Oct 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram (1) celebrate touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Denver Broncos sit at 3-2 and came off a big win in Philadelphia. The record may not be gaudy, but those who have watched this team closely know how dangerous they are. This team could easily be 4-1 or 5-0, as they lost two games to game-winning field goals.
This 3-2 Denver team is not the same as last year’s 3-2 Broncos team. Last year, they were happy to be sitting at 3-2 after the first few games. This year, 3-2 is frowned upon a bit, which just shows how much potential this team really has.
Denver has one of the best defenses in the NFL. They rank second in points per game allowed, first in sacks, first in quarterback hits, and first in red zone defense. This unit is legit, and they will keep the Broncos in every game, no matter what.
The offense has also taken a big step from last year. Denver, after being a mediocre running team a year ago, is now ranked fourth in the NFL in yards per game at 140.6. JK Dobbins has been a godsend for this team and totally shifted the offensive dynamic.
It also just falls on the quarterback, Bo Nix. He has been a mixed bag all year so far, but if he can continue to build on what he did against the Philadelphia Eagles, this team is easily a Super Bowl contender.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Oct 5, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in a thriller every weekend. All of their wins have been by three points or less. Their one loss was by just six, so every week they are must-see TV.
Tampa Bay has suffered a plethora of injuries to open the 2025 season. Mike Evans suffered a hamstring injury in week three, which has sidelined him for a few weeks. Bucky Irving missed this last week due to a shoulder and foot injury, and Chris Godwin is clearly not himself yet, coming back from a brutal injury last year.
The offensive line has suffered injuries to three significant players. It has been a season of shifting for that position, and usually, when that position group has problems staying healthy, teams suffer greatly.
So why are the Buccaneers 4-1 then? Well, it’s because Baker Mayfield has been playing at an MVP level. He has thrown for 10 touchdowns to just one interception with a 104.4 passer rating.
The scary thing about Tampa is that they find a way to win while being shorthanded. AT some point, though, they are going to be at full strength.
Evans and Irving will be back. Godwin will return to form later in the season, and receiver Emeka Egbuka, who has been the steal of the draft, will continue to get better.
Indianapolis Colts 
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) and tight end Andrew Ogletree (85) react after Taylor scores a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Raiders 40-6.
This is the story of the NFL so far. The Indianapolis Colts right now would be the top seed in the AFC if the playoffs started today. Not even the most optimistic Colts fans could have seen this coming.
What should be noted is that this shouldn’t be looked at as a feel-good story. Indianapolis is a legit contender, and the rest of the NFL should have a healthy fear of them. This team sits at 4-1 and has the best point differential with +76.
Daniel Jones has thrown for six touchdowns and run for three with just two interceptions on the season. He has a passer rating of 105.1.
In fact, Jones has had a passer rating higher than 100 in all of the Colts’ victories. Not only has he been great, but Jonathan Taylor has found himself again. He has run for 480 yards on 5.1 yards per carry with six touchdowns in the first five weeks.
Indianapolis is getting top-five quarterback play and top-five running back play, putting them in the top three for a lot of offensive categories. Most of the time, that leads to teams playing football in late January. Not only has the offense been great, but the defense has been just as good, holding opponents to just 17.8 points per game.
The sample size keeps growing and the Colts keep winning, so it’s time to look at them as real threats rather than just a feel-good story with a quarterback looking to redeem himself.
End Of NFL Sleeper Teams Rant 
Feb 4, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) holds his daughter Lily while on the podium after a victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images
People were comparing this season to the end of the 2017-2018 NFL season. The final four quarterbacks standing in the championship weekend were Blake Bortles, Case Keenum, Nick Foles, and Tom Brady. With the way this season is going, we could see a list of unfamiliar quarterbacks in the final four.
It’s been a crazy and fun 2025 NFL season so far. Will that trend continue, or will craziness die down and teams like the Chiefs and Eagles be back on top again? I sure hope it’s the former.