As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the excitement around which teams will hit their expected ceilings or fall to their floors has begun to take center stage. On the latest episode of First Things First, Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes, and Coach Eric Mangini dove deep into the predicted trajectories of some of the league’s most intriguing teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and Cincinnati Bengals. From optimistic highs to potential struggles, here’s a breakdown of the ceiling and floor predictions for these teams as they prepare for the new season.

San Francisco 49ers: The Ceiling and the Floor

The San Francisco 49ers are widely regarded as one of the most talented teams in the NFC. With a strong roster, top-tier coaching, and a dynamic offense, their ceiling is sky-high, but the team’s floor is equally worth considering. According to the First Things First analysts, the 49ers’ ceiling for the 2025 season is 12-5, but their floor could be as low as 7-10.

Ceiling: 12-5
The 49ers have a stacked roster with a defense that can dominate and an offense that is capable of putting up points in bunches. With players like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey, the offensive firepower is there. The quarterback position, which has been a question mark in recent years, is now in the hands of Brock Purdy, who showed flashes of brilliance after taking over for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo last season. If Purdy continues to improve and stay healthy, the 49ers can be one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC, possibly even challenging for the top seed.

Floor: 7-10
While the ceiling is high, the floor for the 49ers could be as low as 7-10. Injuries have been a concern for the team in recent years, especially in the quarterback room. If Purdy falters or suffers injuries, the 49ers may struggle to maintain their momentum. Additionally, the NFC West is always competitive, with teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams not far behind. If the 49ers’ offense doesn’t click or if the injury bug hits again, they could fall short of expectations, making a 7-10 season a realistic possibility.

New England Patriots: Ceiling vs. Floor Predictions

The New England Patriots, under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick, have been a perennial contender in the AFC for over two decades. However, since the departure of Tom Brady, the Patriots have been rebuilding, and their performance in the 2025 season will be a crucial marker of how far they’ve come. According to the analysts, the Patriots’ ceiling for 2025 is 11-6, but their floor could dip to 6-11.

Ceiling: 11-6
The Patriots’ ceiling hinges on their development at the quarterback position and the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Mac Jones is entering his third year, and many expect significant growth. The addition of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien should help Jones in terms of both development and play-calling. The defense, always a strength under Belichick, remains solid with players like Matthew Judon leading the charge. If Jones can take the next step and the defense remains stout, the Patriots have the potential to be a wild card team in the AFC with an 11-6 record.

Floor: 6-11
However, the Patriots’ floor could be as low as 6-11 if Mac Jones struggles or if the offense continues to underperform. The wide receiver group lacks the superstar talent that other teams in the AFC boast, and with a young quarterback still working on consistency, the offense could hold the team back. If the Patriots fail to find their rhythm on that side of the ball, they could end up in the lower tier of the AFC standings, with a 6-11 record being a very real possibility.

Cincinnati Bengals: Ceiling vs. Floor Predictions

The Cincinnati Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, are one of the rising teams in the AFC and are expected to be a top contender in the upcoming season. The First Things First crew believes the Bengals have a ceiling of 12-5, but their floor could fall as low as 7-10, depending on various factors.

Ceiling: 12-5
With Joe Burrow at the helm, the Bengals’ ceiling is as high as 12-5. Burrow has shown he can lead his team to big moments, taking them to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season and consistently making the playoffs. The Bengals have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league with Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon. If the offensive line continues to improve and if Burrow stays healthy, the Bengals can easily compete for a top spot in the AFC. Their defense, which showed promise last season, could also continue to improve, making them one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.

Floor: 7-10
While the Bengals are a talented team, their floor could be as low as 7-10, especially if they face injuries to key players like Burrow or Chase. The offensive line remains a concern, and if Burrow is under constant pressure, it could lead to struggles on offense. Additionally, the AFC North is a highly competitive division with teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns looking to make noise. If the Bengals don’t stay healthy and fail to meet expectations, a 7-10 season could be a disappointing result.

Conclusion: High Stakes for All Three Teams

As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and Cincinnati Bengals all face high stakes. Each team has the potential to exceed expectations and reach their ceiling, but they also have the risk of falling short of the playoffs if things go awry. Injuries, offensive consistency, and key performances will be the deciding factors for all three teams.

For fans, the season promises to be filled with excitement and uncertainty. Will the 49ers fulfill their potential and make a deep playoff run? Can Mac Jones lead the Patriots back to the postseason? Will Joe Burrow and the Bengals continue their rise in the AFC? One thing is for sure: the road to the postseason is wide open, and these three teams will be at the forefront of the action.