Week eight 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 have won two straight games. The passing offense finally had a big game in week 7, and the rush offense came alive in week 8, which could be a sign of things to come.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are officially back, thanks to their offensive weapons all being 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 2-3 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 methodically 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 8 weeks. The defense should only get better, and they’ll need to if they want 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 came out of their bye looking like a much better team after struggling in weeks 5 and 6 in games they were favored to win. If the defense can improve against the run, they will be tough to beat.
5. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are 5-2 and are coming off their bye week. The defense has been great, the offense has been great, and they can make a deep playoff run thanks to having a Super Bowl-winning QB and head coach. The biggest key for them will be making sure Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are healthy heading into January.
6. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts proved they were for real in week 7, 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, and they moved to 7-1 after beating the Titans in week 8, 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 decimated by injuries. The Bucs are gritty, and they know how to win close games.
8. Denver Broncos
Their ability to get after the quarterback and get sacks makes them dangerous. They also have one of the best cornerbacks in the league with Patrick Surtain II and QB Bo Nix has shown the ability to put up huge points late in the game. The defense will always keep them in games, and Nix has learned what it takes to win now in his second year.
9. Green Bay Packers
QB Jordan Love has complete command of the Packers offense, TE Tucker Kraft has emerged as a star, and the run game, despite struggling at times, still finds ways to make plays in big moments. The defense has been one of the better units in the league this year, and over the past couple of weeks, Micah Parsons has really made his presence felt. They are a complete team and may only 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. We will see how they play coming out of their bye in week 9.
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. Los Angeles Chargers
They seemed to figure things out in week 8, after struggling to enter the week. They beat up on the Minnesota Vikings, getting elite QB play from Justin Herbe
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