If you’re a fan of one of the 14 teams that qualified for the postseason this year, congratulations. You are now rewarded with anxiety and restlessness that comes with being in the NFL playoffs.
For the 18 other fan bases, you have a decision to make. Are you a football fanatic rooting for the best games and most chaotic moments? Perhaps you’re of the school of thought that misery loves company, and your rooting interests revolve around the downfall of your favorite team’s rival.
Another option is adoption. You choose a team or two, only for the next month or so, that you can invest your energy into. In a playoff field as wide open as any in recent history, there are teams to which you can pledge your temporary allegiance. You just have to make sure you make the correct decision.
We’re here to help you. With Sean McIndoe’s blessing, we have created a bandwagon guide, taking into account factors from players involved, storylines in play and residual impact. Let’s dive into it!
14. Philadelphia Eagles
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: Even though they’re the defending champs and the only active back-to-back division winners in the league — an ironic note given the past two decades of the NFC East — this isn’t much of a frontrunner pick. The defense is absolutely legit, but the offense has question marks all over the place. You’ll also be joining one of the most passionate fan bases in sports. If you don’t believe me on that, head to the comments section and see how Eagles fans feel about being No. 14 on this list.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: Well, they are the defending champs. Jalen Carter began this season by getting ejected for spitting in the face of another player. A.J. Brown, who has it so tough being a 1,000-yard No. 1 receiver on a championship team, has publicly complained all season. Nick Sirianni is the head coach. The tush push. Imagine the discourse about the Eagles being the NFL’s next dynasty if they repeat.
13. New England Patriots
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: In a hilarious turn of events, the coach and quarterback of a winning team in New England are quite endearing. But it’s not just their likability; Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye could be this year’s . They’re a worst-to-first story, but they’ve done it by hitting on key pieces in the draft on both sides of the ball. Plus, some 6-year-olds were born into Patriots fandom and have never had the opportunity to attend a championship parade. Think about the kids.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: This has to be illegal, right? There’s no way a franchise gets back-to-back dynasty decades, then, after only five years of wandering through the wilderness, has a team that is tied for the best record in the league and has staying power. Even if it was illegal, that’s never stopped the Patriots before.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: People underestimate the power of nostalgia. There’s something about watching Mike Tomlin on the sidelines as the Steelers coach and Aaron Rodgers slinging the rock that can take you back to the late 2000s and make you feel young. The same thing goes for watching Joey Porter making plays on a Pittsburgh defense. Wait, that’s his son?! Never mind …
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: Rodgers hasn’t exactly made himself the most likable figure in sports in recent years, so you’re not at fault if you want to see his exit from the league come unceremoniously. You’re also not alone in your annoyance about hearing how, by virtue of his regular-season records, all Tomlin does is win, even though it’s been nine years since the Steelers won a playoff game.
If this is the end, do you want a graceful exit for Aaron Rodgers and potentially Mike Tomlin? (Joe Sargent / Getty Images)
11. Carolina Panthers
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: If you’re in the business of rooting for the underdog, this is the team for you. The Athletic’s NFL simulator has Carolina’s chances to make the Super Bowl at one percent, and the Panthers’ chances to win the Super Bowl at less than one percent. They finished the season 8-9 and got into the playoffs by winning a three-way tiebreaker. They’re the only playoff team with a minus point differential, and their minus-69 is the worst point differential for a playoff team since Tim Tebow’s Denver Broncos in 2011. If you can juice yourself up enough in the next few days, even one playoff win could make you feel like anything in life is possible.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: It’s one thing to be an underdog, but part of choosing a team before the playoffs begin is that they have to have some sort of realistic chance to win it all. It’s hard to see that with this bunch.
10. Denver Broncos
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: Denver is entering the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but it’s not without some reasonable doubts. The defense is good, but the offense poses several questions, including how far Bo Nix can take them and if his supporting cast is good enough to provide the help needed. As a cherry on top, you know Kansas City Chiefs fans won’t love watching their division rivals make a Super Bowl run.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: Sean Payton put the New Orleans Saints in cap hell and then bolted. He took over the Broncos in 2023, and the decision to part ways with Russell Wilson was supposed to put the team in cap hell for 2024 and 2025. They made the playoffs last year, and they’re the top seed this year. Cue Jesse Pinkman from “Breaking Bad” screaming, “He can’t keep getting away with it!”
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: You may feel down on your luck because your team missed the playoffs this year, but the Chargers have their own term — Chargering — that spans two cities and multiple decades of misery in the big moments. As much as people talk about the best players without a Super Bowl win, Justin Herbert is one of the best players without a playoff win to his name, and he’s an easy guy to root for. Plus, it’s the Chargers, so there’s always plenty of room on the bandwagon.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: Picking a team to root for that you’re not naturally a fan of is already tough business, so if you do it, you want to make it count. Meaning, you don’t want to pick a team that leaves you stranded again after a week or two. The Chargers aren’t at the Panthers’ level of hopeless, but they’re a decimated bunch that, as the No. 7 seed, will have to win three road games to get to the Super Bowl. That starts with this SoCal group having to win this weekend in frigid New England.
8. Houston Texans
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: If you prefer the old school mantra of “defense wins championships,” the Texans are the team for you. Other teams, such as the Broncos, also boast a strong defense, but Houston’s is more active and complete. The Texans’ defense is the only bunch this season that ranks in the top three in points allowed, turnovers forced and defensive EPA. They’re also the only team with two players in the top 10 across the league in sacks. This is as good as it gets.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: For most of the franchise’s existence, the Texans have flown under the radar for everybody, including the NFL. That’s not necessarily the case going into this postseason. If you need proof, watch Saturday’s playoff game at 4:30 p.m. ET. You won’t see the Texans there this year.
7. Green Bay Packers
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: The Packers are one of the teams that have done one of the biggest flips in bandwagonability from the start of the season. When they traded for Micah Parsons and thumped the Detroit Lions in Week 1, they had the look of a villain for this season. But now they’re the wounded crew that you feel kind of bad for. Parsons is out for the season, as is defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. They’ve been dealing with quarterback injuries to their top two guys for the last few weeks, lost star tight end Tucker Kraft in the midst of a breakout season and have dealt with injuries at wide receiver and running back throughout the year. They went from bulldog to sad puppy over the course of the season.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: If you’re a fan of a team that missed the playoffs, and more so one of the eight teams looking for a new coach, not to mention the handful of other teams on the fence about their coach, rooting against the Packers is in your best interest. It’s unlikely that Matt LaFleur becomes available, but in the wake of John Harbaugh getting fired, who knows? After going to back-to-back NFC title games in his first two seasons, LaFleur hasn’t been on the cusp of the Super Bowl for the past four years. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is another name that could hold some impact around the league.
6. Los Angeles Rams
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: During the “F them picks” era that netted the Rams a Super Bowl, there was debate about whether it was worth sacrificing your future for a championship in the present. Instead, aside from a one-year recharge in 2022, the Rams’ 2021 ring didn’t come at the cost of being competitive in the future. More success for the Rams should send a message to conservative teams around the league that it’s OK to be aggressive. Plus, if this is it for Matthew Stafford, it’s hard to think of too many other players who have the sort of universal respect that he does. It wouldn’t suck to see him ride off into the sunset on top.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: Puka Nacua launched himself into a completely unnecessary and avoidable spell of bad PR down the stretch. If you’re going to root for the Rams, you’re going to need Nacua to be great, and it’s understandable if that’s a hard thing to root for right now.
Matthew Stafford, right, and Puka Nacua, left, may only be the No. 5 seed, but they are one of the more dangerous teams in the playoffs. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
5. Chicago Bears
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: It’s not often that things go exactly as advertised in the NFL, but Ben Johnson taking over in Chicago has made that team, and especially that offense, a lot of fun to watch. The 2025 Bears are prime bandwagon material. They’ve been miserable for decades, they’re ahead of schedule, but also have a legit chance and a stellar cast of likeable characters. They will be more on the villain side of things in future years as they get better and have sustained success.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: If you have any heart-related issues or blood pressure concerns, you may want to stay away. The Bears this season, in wins and losses, have shown to be one hell of a roller-coaster ride.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: There may not be a hotter team in the league entering the playoffs than the Jaguars. Their eight-game win streak is only slightly behind Houston’s nine consecutive wins, but the Jaguars have looked dominant doing it, boasting an astounding plus-153-point differential. In that span, they have scored the most points per game and given up the fewest points per game. Trevor Lawrence is also finally playing up to his lofty pre-draft hype.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: We cannot risk enabling new coaches doing what Liam Coen did in his first news conference when he said “Duuuuuuval” in the weirdest way.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: There may be no receiver in the NFL this season more fun to watch consistently than Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He doesn’t have too many flashy catches, but his route-running is pristine, and he’s a top-tier receiver without the diva qualities. The defense is capable of slowing down anybody, and the special teams is a complete unit, too.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: The Seahawks may be the closest team to actually being a true favorite above the rest, but many people have reservations about how Sam Darnold will fare in the playoffs. Seattle’s two games against the Rams this season are good indicators. In the first game, Darnold threw four interceptions, and the Seahawks lost by two points. In the second game, Seattle didn’t ask him to do much and fell behind. Aided by a big special teams play, Darnold made the big plays when he needed to to win the game. Now, it’s about whether he can do it for a few games in a row.
2. Buffalo Bills
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: Bills fans have been through a lot, whether you talk about the four consecutive Super Bowl losses in the ’90s, being stonewalled by the Chiefs in recent years or the long stretch of misery between those two periods. You’ll hear plenty of people remind you that football is a team game, and that’s true, but this is one of the best chances the Bills will have with Josh Allen at quarterback.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: The Bills knew that they needed to get some help for Allen at the trade deadline, yet the front office committed malpractice by not doing so.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Reasons to hop on the bandwagon: Although the 49ers have had success in the NFC field, their Super Bowl championship drought spans more than three decades. They’ve overcome major injuries and a ton of adversity this season. They perfectly thread the needle of having great storylines — especially if linebacker Fred Warner returns during the postseason run — a likable cast of players, an elite coach and not being a frontrunner but still having a solid chance. With the Super Bowl being played in Santa Clara, Calif., a home-field championship is a cherry on top.
Reasons to avoid the bandwagon: San Francisco can’t afford any more injuries, and its history suggests that another wave is yet to come. Despite all of the injuries already, you buy into the potential of the 49ers, only for another injury to occur at an inopportune time or position, and you’re left wondering what could have been.
