Unlocking the Hidden Secrets Behind the Article You Thought You Knew

Halfway through the 2025 NFL season, the air is thick with predictions and hot takes — and who better to stir the pot than Stephen A. Smith? The man whose expressions are almost as legendary as his opinions just dropped his top five teams, and, well, his list isn’t without its curveballs. The Detroit Lions sneaking into the top five? The Patriots finally turning heads? And topping it all off, the Seattle Seahawks grab the crown. But here’s the kicker — can any team really say they’re solid until they prove it under pressure? It’s the stretch where contenders rise, pretenders stumble, and every game starts to feel like November in your backyard: chilly, unpredictable, and full of surprises. So, what’s Steve’s pick, and do you agree, or are we all just fumbling into the playoffs? Let’s dig in.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: ESPN Broadcaster Stephen A. Smith reacts before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on September 22, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. — (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

It’s officially past the midpoint of the 2025 NFL season. The sample size is large enough for people to make predictions and draw conclusions about what’s to come.

With that in mind, pundit Stephen A. Smith let everyone know his honest thoughts on the state of the league and named his top five NFL teams.

“Five on the list, you see this offense right here? The [Detroit] Lions are a top-5 team in the NFL right now. The Patriots have a quarterback, ladies and gentlemen. They got a defense. They can run with the football. Watch out for the New England Patriots, just not giving them top-3 status right now. Gotta give the [Indianapolis Colts] some love, I don’t have them as top-2, though. The Los Angeles Rams, I see what you’re doing right here. And No. 1, it’s the Seattle Seahawks,” Smith said.

.@stephenasmith shares his top five NFL teams after Week 10 pic.twitter.com/JUMWcSMcgc

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 11, 2025

Truth be told, it’s hard to argue with any of those teams. That being said, several of them need to prove themselves in high-stakes situations.

As bad as the Kansas City Chiefs have looked at times, few people would deny that they and the Buffalo Bills are legitimate contenders in the AFC. Also, the Los Angeles Chargers are riding a three-game winning streak, and their defense has been spectacular during that span.

At the end of the day, all it takes is to get hot at the right time to win the Super Bowl. Many contending teams that dominate on paper fall flat when it actually counts every year.

There’s still plenty of football to be played this season. The second half of the schedule is underway, and this is where contending teams separate from pretending teams.

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