As we head into the final stretch of the 2025 NFL regular season, Week 14 marked the last of the byes. From here on out, it’s full steam ahead with 16-game slates every week. For four teams who had the week off - the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers - the break offered a chance to reset, refocus, and gear up for the playoff push (or in one case, just survive the rest of the season).
Let’s break down where each of these teams stands after their bye, what we’ve learned so far, and what lies ahead as the postseason picture begins to take shape.
Carolina Panthers (7-6): A Team on the Rise - and in the Race
Don’t look now, but the Panthers are right in the thick of the NFC South race - and they’ve got momentum on their side. Dave Canales’s squad caught a break this week when the division-leading Buccaneers stumbled at home against the Saints. That loss, combined with Carolina’s own recent surge, has the Panthers and Bucs sitting at identical 7-6 records.
The schedule makers did fans a favor here: Carolina and Tampa Bay still have to face each other twice in the final three weeks. Those matchups could very well decide the division.
Bryce Young, now in Year 3, continues to show flashes of the franchise quarterback Carolina hoped for when they drafted him - though consistency remains a work in progress. What’s helped is the emergence of running back Rico Dowdle and rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan, who’ve added some much-needed juice to the offense.
On the other side of the ball, Derrick Brown is anchoring a defense that looks far more disciplined and disruptive than it did a year ago. If the Panthers can string together a couple of wins down the stretch, they’ve got a real shot at punching a playoff ticket.
Grade: B
New England Patriots (11-2): The Turnaround Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s just say it - nobody expected this from New England. Under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have flipped the script in dramatic fashion.
This team has already won seven more games than it did all of last season, and its 11-2 record is three wins better than the combined total from the previous two years (8-26). That’s not just a turnaround - that’s a full-blown resurrection.
Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has taken a massive leap, playing with the poise and command of a veteran. The run game has been steady, and the passing attack has been bolstered by the reliable hands of Stefon Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry. It’s a balanced, efficient offense that doesn’t beat itself - a hallmark of Vrabel-coached teams.
Defensively, the Patriots are doing just enough to complement the offense, and now they’re on the verge of clinching their first AFC East crown since 2019. A win over the visiting Bills this weekend would seal it.
Grade: A+
New York Giants (2-11): A Season to Forget
It’s been a brutal year for the Giants. After a 3-11 campaign last season, they’ve somehow managed to take a step backward. Big Blue has lost 11 of 13 games and is currently mired in a seven-game losing streak.
The front office has already pulled the plug on the coaching staff - head coach Brian Daboll was dismissed after a 2-8 start, and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen followed him out the door two weeks later. The team is clearly in reset mode.
There are a few glimmers of hope. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has shown flashes, and running back Cam Skatteboo looked promising before landing on injured reserve.
On defense, edge rusher Brian Burns has been a force, racking up a career-high 13 sacks. But first-round pick Abdul Carter hasn’t lived up to expectations, and the roster as a whole lacks depth and direction.
It’s going to be a long winter in East Rutherford.
Grade: D-
San Francisco 49ers (9-4): Battling Through Adversity - and Still Contending
The Niners have had every excuse to fold this season - but they haven’t. Kyle Shanahan’s team has weathered an unusual quarterback situation, cycling between Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, and survived season-ending injuries to two of their biggest defensive stars in Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Yet here they are, sitting at 9-4 and very much alive in the NFC West race.
Credit defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for keeping the unit together despite the losses. The defense has remained competitive, and the offense has leaned heavily on Christian McCaffrey - and he’s delivered.
McCaffrey ranks third in the league in total yards from scrimmage (1,655) and has accounted for 13 of San Francisco’s 31 offensive touchdowns. He’s been the engine of this team all year.
With a 4-1 record in divisional play, the 49ers are positioned well for a late-season push. If they can stay healthy and get consistent quarterback play, they’ll be a tough out in January.
Grade: A-
Final Thoughts
With the byes behind us, the playoff race is officially on. The Patriots and 49ers look like legitimate contenders.
The Panthers are scrapping for a division title. And the Giants… well, they’re looking ahead to April.
The final few weeks of the season will separate the real contenders from the rest. Buckle up - the finish line is in sight, and the stakes are only getting higher.