PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 29: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
These are the 12 NFL teams with the best chance of contending for and/or winning the Super Bowl:
1. Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The defending champs lost some key players, but their core on offense is mostly intact, and they still have a great defensive front. Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts could combine for 30+ rushing TDs easily. They drafted Jihaad Campbell in round one of the draft, a very talented linebacker, bolstering their defense.
2. Buffalo Bills
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball for a Touchdown to Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs #14in the game between the Buffalo Bills vs the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
If they can just get by the Chiefs in the playoffs, the Bills could get to a Super Bowl and beat anyone. Josh Allen might be the most complete QB in the NFL right now. The Bills upgraded their defense in the first round of the draft, selecting CB Maxwell Hairston.
3. Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Will this be their year? They have been great the past 2 seasons, but their defense keeps letting them down in big games. They have attempted to address their defense by selecting DT Tyleik Williams in the first round of the draft.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
As long as Patrick Mahomes is their QB, this team has a great chance to get to a Super Bowl, and once they’re there, they can certainly win it. They upgraded their offensive line in round one of the draft, selecting offensive tackle Josh Simmons.
5. Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Lamar Jackson has been incredible during the season, but can he make a deep playoff run? That seems to be the question every year.
6. Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Like with the Chiefs, but much less proven… Any team with Jayden Daniels as their QB has a chance to win. Knowing this, they added offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round of the draft.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after a first down during the third quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 26, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
This is a team that just missed the playoffs last season. They are also the team that no one wanted to face if they did make the playoffs. Burrow, Chase, and Higgins is as good as it gets on offense, and they could be poised to make another run. They added edge rusher Shemar Stewart in the draft, who should make a big impact on their defense.
8. Los Angeles Rams
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass during the first half of Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Rams came on strong toward the end of last season and have upgraded their offense. They have a young defense that could take another step forward and have a Super Bowl winning veteran QB in Matthew Stafford.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
They might be surprising to you on this list, but the Bucs, despite injuries to key players last year, still made the playoffs, and during the season, they beat some of the best teams in the NFC. They are running it back with the same crew this season.
10. Houston Texans
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Texans addressed their biggest issues from a year ago and are set to look a lot more like they did in C.J. Stroud’s rookie season. They are by far the best team in their division, so they are almost a lock for the postseason, and Stroud has shown that he is good enough to carry a team.
11. Los Angeles Chargers
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
They made big improvements last season and even more this season, thanks to signing Najee, drafting RB Hampton, and drafting other pass-catching options to give Justin Herbert more weapons.
12. Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 27: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Most of this will come down to how J.J. McCarthy plays at QB, but having a top WR like Justin Jefferson and an amazing head coach in Kevin O’Connell definitely helps. They got their young QB some protection when they drafted offensive guard Donovan Jackson in the draft.
