Week seven is in the books and we learned quite a bit about the contenders. Whether it be their playoff experience, leadership qualities, coaching staffs, super star players or all of the above, these are the 12 teams in the NFL who can contend for a Super Bowl title this season.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are the defending champs, and they have the experience and personnel to repeat as champions. They began the season 4-0, but didn’t have any convincing wins. After losing two games in a row, they bounced back and won a tough road game in Minnesota. The passing offense finally had a big game, which could be a sign of things to come.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are officially back. Beating the Lions proved that, and now that their offensive weapons are all healthy, they look to be unstoppable on that side of the football. They have a championship-caliber defense, and it has shown up over the past couple of weeks. No one would be surprised if they won their division, then 3 playoff games in the AFC, and found themselves in the Super Bowl again.
3. Detroit Lions
They are always a great team, but at home they seem to be unbeatable. The offense can beat you in so many ways, they can mehtodically drive down the field, or hit you with a big play at any time. Their secondary has been one of the most injured in the league, and they still sit at 5-2 after 7 weeks. The defense should only get better, and they’ll need to if they wqnt to win in January.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are still the team to beat in the AFC East, despite being in second place, and should be considered favorites because they have the reigning MVP, Josh Allen. They will come out of their bye looking like a much better team after struggling in weeks 5 and 6 in games they were favored to win.
5. Los Angeles Rams
No Puka, no problem! The Rams won their second straight game to move 5-2 with their win in London in week 7. They did it against a good Jags team, too. The defense is very good, and the offense is great too, especially with proven winner Matthew Stafford and a healthy Puka Nacua.
6. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts proved they were for real this past week, going into Los Angeles and scoring 38 points against one of the top defenses in the league. The win moved them to 6-1 on the season, giving them the best record in the NFL. Daniel Jones is for real, and Jonathan Taylor is the best running back in football right now.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Their only two losses this season have come against the Eagles and Lions who were the top two teams in the NFC from a year ago and could be again this year. Baker Mayfield has played incredible football, even with his offensive line being beat up and his wide receiver corps descimated by injuries. The Bucs are gritty and they know how to win close games.
8. Denver Broncos
This team has no quit, and they have become the comeback kids of the NFL, especially after their improbable comeback in week 7 against the Giants. The ability to always be fighting and never feel like you are out of a game is something special, and something they can hang their hat on come playoff time. They have learned how to win, no matter the situation, and that will pay dividends later in the season.
9. Green Bay Packers
They haven’t been playing their best football since the bye week, but they are finding ways to win, and that is what good football teams do. They have a playmaking defense, a star running back, and a very talented quarterback in Jordan Love. This is a team that should get better as the season progresses.
10. Seattle Seahawks
They are a good team, but they have lost games when playing other good teams. Sam Darnold appears to be the answer for them at QB, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is having a huge season. Their defense is very talented, but it’s also been inconsistent from week to week. When the defense plays up to expectations, they can compete with anyone.
11. New England Patriots
Is Drake Maye an MVP candidate? The answer is undoubtedly yes right now. Maye is playing exceptional football, and head coach Mike Vrabel has this defense improving week after week as well. They currently lead the AFC East division and have the second-best record overall in the AFC.
12. San Francisco 49ers
Even with all their injuries on offense and without their top 2 defensive players, the 49ers find themselves sitting at 5-2 on the season after their win on SNF against Atlanta. There are questions about whether or not their defense will be able to hold up all season though, so they need the offense to get healthy.
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