Philadelphia Eagles fans, brace yourselves. NFL columnist Conor Orr from Sports Illustrated has just released his 100 “bold predictions” for the 2025 NFL season, and one of them might leave you fuming. In his latest column, Orr predicts that the Eagles will make it to Super Bowl LX but fall short against the Buffalo Bills.
Orr’s prediction isn’t exactly a vote of no confidence in Philadelphia, but it’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase dreaming of a repeat championship. “Predicting the Eagles will return to the big game is a begrudging move on my part, but it’s a recognition that nearly all of the NFC front-runners have brutal schedules,” Orr wrote. He also picked the Eagles to win the NFC East, citing their ability to grind out tough victories. “Philadelphia is the one team that can handle the rigors of such a slate and win ugly consistently enough to make the dance.”
On the other side, Orr sees the Buffalo Bills capitalizing on a softer schedule to secure their spot in the Super Bowl. He points to matchups against teams like the Browns, Falcons, Panthers, and Saints, along with multiple games against the weaker AFC East teams, as a path for Buffalo to keep quarterback Josh Allen healthy and in top form. “This slate will keep Josh Allen healthy and in berserker mode for the playoffs when Buffalo needs him most,” Orr noted.
To be fair, Orr’s prediction isn’t a wild leap. Both the Eagles and Bills are widely regarded as top Super Bowl contenders for 2025, with rosters stacked with talent capable of going the distance. Still, forecasting a Philadelphia loss in the big game is sure to sting for Eagles fans who believe their team has what it takes to hoist the Lombardi Trophy again.
Of course, predictions made in May are more speculative than definitive. The NFL season is notoriously unpredictable, and a lot can change between now and February. For now, Eagles fans might want to tuck this prediction away as motivation—bulletin-board material for a team looking to prove the doubters wrong.