The 2025–26 NFL season is now in full swing, and with every passing week, Seton Hall students engage in passionate conversations on a range of topics.
From Super Bowl favorites to breakout stars, conversations on SHU’s campus reflect the same passion and unpredictability that the NFL brings each year.
Super Bowl Favorites
Among the NFL’s 32 teams, just two of them were consistently mentioned by students as favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy come February: the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers.
“[Ravens quarterback] Lamar Jackson has been unstoppable these last couple of seasons,” said junior criminal justice major, Amauri Younger. “The Ravens have a top defense paired with arguably the best quarterback-running back duo in the league in Jackson and Derrick Henry, who can take over any game by themselves.”
“I think this is finally the year Baltimore gets over the hump and at least reaches the Super Bowl,” he added.
Meanwhile, junior biology major Dante Younger leaned more toward Green Bay.
“The Packers look scary right now,” Younger said. “Their young receivers have stepped up, and [Packers quarterback] Jordan Love looks like the real deal.”
“It feels like they've got that magic balance of talent and momentum,” Younger added.
The Packers also managed to add defensive end Micah Parsons in the offseason, who is a three-time First Team All-Pro selection and Defensive Player of the Year finalist. As such, Green Bay has one of the most talented rosters in the NFL on both ends of the field, and students’ confidence in them reflects that.
If Baltimore and Green Bay were the clear favorites to win this year’s Super Bowl, then the Buffalo Bills weren't far behind.
Senior graphic arts major Kadeem Nicholas argued Josh Allen’s ability to take his team to take home a Lombardi Trophy. “Coming off an MVP season, and another playoff loss to the Chiefs, I finally think [Bills quarterback] Allen can take Buffalo to the Super Bowl,” Nicholas said.
MVP Race
On the MVP front, three names came up repeatedly among students: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and [Los Angeles Chargers quarterback] Justin Herbert.
Natithan Gordan, a junior biology major, noted how consistent Herbert has been since he first entered the league.
“Herbert's numbers are good every year,” Gordan said. “And if the [Kansas City] Chiefs are no longer the team they used to be, I think it might be time for Herbert to lead the Chargers to an AFC West division title, and be a top quarterback in the league.”
But other students, like Younger, stuck with and expressed their confidence in 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
“He's already won the award twice, and I would argue that he should've won the award last year,” Younger said. “I think he leads the Ravens all the way and adds another MVP to his collection this season.”
All Eyes on Jeanty
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was the clear-cut answer for Rookie of the Year for most students.
“It's hard not to pick Ashton Jeanty as the Rookie of the Year,” Amauri Younger said.
Jeanty’s senior season at Boise State University was historic: last season, he rushed for more than 2,600 yards and scored 30 touchdowns, led Boise State University to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, and came in second place in the Heisman trophy race behind Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter. Selected sixth overall in this year’s draft, Jeanty will likely be the Raiders’ franchise running back for many years to come.
Sleeper Team
One surprise in students’ predictions for the season was the frequent mention of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite not being among the preseason favorites, some students think their roster depth could make them a serious playoff threat.
“They're stacked offensively,” Nicholas said. “[Buccaneers quarterback] Baker Mayfield has weapons everywhere: [wide receivers] Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and even [running back] Bucky Irving is a nightmare for defenses in the NFC.”
NY Teams: Young but Hungry
It has been a rough couple of years for New York football fans: the New York Giants lost their franchise running back, Saquon Barkley, to the Philadelphia Eagles, who then went on to win the 2024 Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, luck hasn’t been on the New York Jets’ side either: in 2023, the team spent a ton of money on a new roster to support future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers; in his first offensive drive as a Jet, however, Rodgers tore his Achilles—a season-ending injury. What followed was a 5-12 record in what was supposed to be the season where the Jets turned their franchise around.
And yet, fans of both teams are still optimistic, especially with the teams’ recent coaching decisions. The Giants gave head coach Brian Daboll another chance this season, while the Jets brought in former Lions defensive coordinator and former Jets’ defensive back Aaron Glenn to be their new coach.
Coaching aside, both teams have a roster of young and hungry talent, which fans are hopeful will translate to a winning culture within the next couple of seasons.
The Tush Push Debate
Finally, no campus conversation about the NFL would be complete without mentioning the infamous “tush push.” The quarterback sneak “technique,” popularized by the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, was a hot-button topic this offseason.
The infamy of the technique was not only felt by fans but also by teams. During the offseason, all 32 NFL teams voted on whether to keep the play or get rid of it completely, with 22 of them voting to ban it.
Fortunately for the Eagles, 24 teams have to vote yes for the play to be banned. Therefore, the tush push is here to stay for at least one more season.
“I think it's part of the game—it's a strategy, not cheating,” said Eagles fan and sophomore social work major Nasir Scrutchins. “If other teams can't stop it, that's on them.”
Others weren't so convinced. “It feels unfair and boring to watch,” Gordon said. “The NFL should ban it or at least change the rules.”
As for whether it will still be around in the 2026–27 season, students were split.
“The league loves offense, and it gets first downs, so I think it'll stay,” said Dante Younger. “But if it keeps causing controversy, the NFL might have to step in."
From Ravens and Packers hype to debates about the “tush push's” future, SHU students are just as animated about the NFL as any group of football fans across the country.
Whether their predictions come true remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Sundays on campus this fall will be filled with plenty of friendly arguments, watch parties, and maybe even a few “I told you so” moments once February rolls around.
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
