Who is the Best Team in the NFL?

Arguably, the highlight of the 2025 NFL season is the level of parity at the top. 

Entering Week 12, BetMGM oddsmakers rate 11 teams at +1600 or shorter to win the Super Bowl. This time last year, that number was five. 

What’s even more fascinating is that all of those teams carry question marks that could affect them come the postseason. 

With that in mind, I’m setting out to determine the best team based on current NFL odds. 

Who is the Best Team in the NFL? 

Entering Week 12, I rate the Green Bay Packers as the best team in the NFL. Despite that belief, bettors can find the Packers at +1600 to win the Super Bowl. 

Green Bay began the year 2-0 with impressive wins over the Lions and Commanders. Subsequent results have left something to be desired, but I remain bullish on the defense. 

The rush defense has struggled of late, but injuries contributed to that dropoff. From Week 1-5, the Packers ranked 11th in rushing EPA per play and rushing success rate. 

Lukas Van Ness sustained an injury in Week 5 against the Bengals. Green Bay dropped to 12th and 21st in Week 6 onward. 

That’s basically the knock against Green Bay, which ranks 16th in rush defense DVOA. That qualifies as the worst ranking amongst their four core elements. 

Otherwise, Jordan Love has performed very well this year. 

Only Sam Darnold and Drake Maye outperform Love in composite EPA per play plus completion percentage over expectation on plays excluding turnovers. 

Love’s EPA per play trails only Darnold, Maye and Josh Allen. Additionally, Green Bay could see some potential positive regression on offense. 

Green Bay enters Week 12 ranked 13th in points per game. However, the offense sits fifth in red zone opportunities. 

The red zone opportunities stat has helped identify recent Super Bowl winners. Over the last five years, every eventual Super Bowl winner has notched at least 3.8 opportunities per game. 

Entering Week 12, the Packers offense averaged four red zone opportunities per contest. Just in five games against teams 11th or better in defensive DVOA: 3.4. 

Driving down that average is a Week 10 game against Philadelphia off a bye. 

Plus, Green Bay should return Jayden Reed to help this offense, which is bolstered by a strong pass-blocking line. 

The record might not reflect it, but fluky losses against the Panthers (no punts) and Browns (turnovers) radically alter the perception of this team. 

Pair that with a defense ranked ninth in defensive DVOA, and it’s my belief Green Bay is the best team in the NFL right now. 

Why Are the [Team Name] NOT the Best Team in the NFL? 

Let’s do this rapid-fire style. This is why some of the main contenders should be viewed skeptically as the best team:

• Philadelphia Eagles: 16th in points per game, but 30th in red zone opportunities. The two teams worse than Philly are a combined 3-17
• Los Angeles Rams: the pass defense is concerning when they play an actually good passer. In four games against quarterbacks averaging a +0.260 EPA/play rating, their passing yards per game rises to 300.5 vs. 200.2 otherwise. 
• Buffalo Bills: the defense is bad, and the run defense is worse. Tampa Bay entered Week 11 ranked 25th in rush offense DVOA….and Sean Tucker racked up 202 yards at Buffalo. 
• Kansas City Chiefs: no rushing game and no pass rush. If the passing explosives dry up, Kansas City lacks the offense to create margin.
• Detroit Lions: what happens when the Lions play a good rush defense? Also, it looks as if home-field advantage won’t benefit the Lions this year. 
• Indianapolis Colts: what if the trade deadline acquisitions don’t fix the Colts defense? Only New England has played an easier set of offenses this season. 
• Baltimore Ravens: I don’t trust the defense. Injuries have contributed to a poor rating, but the team still allowed 40 to Josh Allen at full health. The last three games have gone well, but they played the Dolphins, Vikings and Browns. 
• Seahawks: Of the current top-five defenses by DVOA, only Denver has played an easier schedule. Additionally, Darnold has looked worse against good pass defenses. 
• Broncos: The offense has only played well against Dallas, Cincinnati, New York (N) and Indianapolis. When this team plays real defenses, it won’t go well. 
• Patriots: The defense lacks any semblance of quality and has yet to face good competition. When good quarterbacks face this unit, New England should falter.