The 2025 NFL season so far: parity, tweaks, and a passport full of stamps
One month in, the league looks deliciously chaotic. Buffalo and Philadelphia are the last perfect teams at 4–0, with San Francisco pacing the NFC West at 4–1 while Seattle and the resurgent Rams lurk. Kansas City’s 2–2 start and Baltimore’s 1–3 wobble keep the AFC wide-open, and the Steelers (3–1) have muscled to the early lead in a bruising AFC North.
The rule tweaks that are shaping Sundays
Two offseason changes are already changing texture and tactics. First, the “dynamic kickoff” (trialed in 2024) is now permanent, with a key 2025 tweak: if a kickoff sails into or beyond the end zone untouched, the ball comes out to the 35, creating a bigger incentive to keep kicks returnable; teams can also declare an onside kick any time they’re trailing, not just in the fourth quarter.
Early data and reporting suggest we’re seeing more meaningful return game strategy, plus a livelier kicking landscape overall—coaches and kickers are adjusting to new balls and alignments, and long-range attempts are more common again.
Early contenders—and a few eyebrow-raisers
Buffalo hasn’t just stacked wins; RB James Cook took AFC Offensive Player of the Month after piling up 401 rush yards and five TDs through September, a tone-setter for a balanced, undefeated Bills team. Out West, the Rams and Seahawks have stormed into NFL.com’s top five, while San Francisco remains firmly in the contender tier despite Week 5 injuries. On defense, Rams LB Byron Young is out of the blocks with an NFL-leading sack total.
At the same time, heavyweights haven’t all sprinted. The Chiefs are 2–2 after a tough opening slate, and Cincinnati and Baltimore are .500 and 1–3, respectively—reminders that September and early October rarely mirror January.
The rookie class is already moving the needle
September’s official honors went to Emeka Egbuka (Buccaneers) as Offensive Rookie of the Month and Xavier Watts (Falcons) as Defensive Rookie of the Month. Beyond the awards, independent grading has spotlighted early standouts at TE, CB and LB, hinting that several first-years are already impact starters.
The injury drumbeat
Unfortunately, injuries are a headline. The Associated Press highlighted a rash of high-profile issues in Weeks 3–4—among them Dolphins star Tyreek Hill and Giants rookie Malik Nabers—and the league’s Week 5 injury reports are already crowded. Attrition will keep reshaping depth charts as we hit the heart of the schedule.
A truly international footprint
This season features a record seven international games across Dublin, London, Berlin and Madrid, part of the league’s push to grow globally. Week 5 opens with another London game in the early window, airing exclusively on NFL Network/NFL+. Mexico City is officially back on the calendar in 2026 once Estadio Azteca’s renovations wrap.
What to watch next
• Special teams as a swing factor. With the 35-yard touchback and the revived kickoff ecology, hidden-yardage battles matter more than ever. Expect more directional kicks, squibs into the “landing zone,” and coaches chasing field position edges.
• Awards races forming. Early quarter-season discussions have circled names like Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, and Kyren Williams; the board will churn as defenses adjust and schedules stiffen.
• Roster churn ahead of the deadline. With the trade cutoff on Nov. 4, depth-starved teams—and those with quarterback questions—have a few weeks to act.
It’s only early October, but the contours are clear: two unbeaten pace-setters, a pack of credible challengers, rookies making real noise, and rules that are putting the “foot” back in football. Buckle up—the next month will separate flashes from foundations.
