Who are the contenders for the Super Bowl? Some of the favorites for the Super Bowl are obvious, some are not. It is clear now several football teams will not make the National Football League Playoffs let alone the Super Bowl. It would be fun if you ranked professional football teams for the Super Bowl now. Write down your picks at look at them just before the Super Bowl takes place on February 9, 2025, in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans. The playoffs start on January 11, 2025, in the cities of the lower-seeded American (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) teams.
It is sad for fans of teams with no chance of making the playoffs, but it is fun if the team you follow is one of the favorites listed here. It is a little dangerous to pick teams for the Super Bowl now since there is a great degree of luck that goes into winning football games. Also, winning a football game is about matchups as well as skill. That said, some of the favorites are obvious, and we do know one team each will play in the Super Bowl from the AFC and one team will play in the Super Bowl from the NFC.
AFC Super Bowl Favorites: Kansas City Chiefs
The prohibitive favorites to win the Super Bowl come out of the American Football Conference, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have won two consecutive Super Bowls, so this would be a three-peat and a dynasty. Even though the Chiefs lost at the Buffalo Bills and have a relatively low point differential, they must be the favorites until somebody beats them in the playoffs. One could argue that the Chiefs have the best players in the National Football League at several positions, including quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up as quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (11) looks on before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Buffalo Bills
If the Kansas City Chiefs are not going to come out of the AFC and go to the Super Bowl, the Buffalo Bills will. The Buffalo Bills are a solid football team that hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11 and beat them. The Bills have many injuries and a healthy team would increase their Super Bowl chances and the upcoming bye will help them. If the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes is not the best in the National Football League the Buffalo Bills Josh Allen is. Buffalo also has a very good defense and it is said that good defense wins championships.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are probably the most surprising team in the National Football League. The strong season of the Steelers has many pundits scratching their heads. Nevertheless, the Steelers are currently the third seed in the AFC. They will likely come back down to earth in the playoffs, especially if they face the Chiefs or the Bills in the playoffs. As probably the lowest-seeded division winner, the Steelers will have to play a Wild Card game, though they will host that game. There is no question Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is doing the finest job of his long career.
NFC Super Bowl Favorites Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions keep destroying opponents by picking up 40 or 50 points. They are America’s pick to win the Super Bowl. They were heralded as the 2025 Super Bowl Champions on the Cover of Sports Illustrated. It would be unprecedented if Detroit won it all, they have not won a National Football League Championship since 1957. They look very good, but have to prove they can beat a team with a good defense and all of the AFC teams have good defenses.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have looked pretty good this year, but it is fair to wonder if the Eagles’ history will come up and bite them again. That said, the escapability of Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts could make a difference in the playoffs. He is an extra player against whom defenses need to scheme. Plus the Eagles have Saquon Barkley, who is among the most difficult players in the NFL to defend.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are the third favorite to make it out of the NFC to the Super Bowl, although consideration could be given here to the San Francisco 49ers, who have many stars but may not make the playoffs. It is likely for the Minnesota Vikings that Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson has over 100 yards receiving in all playoff games. He could be impossible to guard. He presents a unique weapon for the Minnesota Vikings with whom other teams will have to contend. However, the Vikings will not even win their division.
Conclusion
The Super Bowl pits the NFC champion against the AFC champion to crown the best team in the National Football League. There is something for everyone in this game as the halftime show, which is outstanding, appeals to even non-football fans. It is the argument in this article that until some team beats the Kansas City Chiefs, they are the favorites. Though the Detroit Lions may outscore everyone and win the Super Bowl.
