Ranking Super Bowl contenders – New team rises to the top while the Chiefs rush to protect Patrick Mahomes for the playoffs
Good luck to anyone standing in Josh Allen’s way. The Buffalo Bills‘ unique quarterback is putting up historic stats with the playoffs approaching. GettyJosh Allen is on the verge of locking up the NFL MVP[/caption] “I would say Josh Allen for (MVP),” Steve Wyche, chief national reporter for NFL Network, exclusively told talkSPORT. “For not only having a great season, but coming into this year we all thought the Bills were going to take a step back.” Meanwhile, resting a hobbling Patrick Mahomes might be Kansas City’s best Super Bowl option, as the Chiefs stand at 13-1 and are moving closer to securing the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. The second after Mahomes and Co. won the latest Super Bowl, the countdown began to LIX in New Orleans. The NFL is the league that never stops, and there are serious contenders hoping to prevent Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and the Chiefs from becoming the first franchise in history to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat. Here is talkSPORT’s look at the top 10 Super Bowl contenders on the long road to the Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans. We’ll be back every week … 10. Houston Texans (9-5, last week: unranked) Welcome back, Houston. The Texans are back-to-back AFC South champions, despite an uneven year filled with injuries. GettyC.J. Stroud has guided the Texans back into the Super Bowl picture[/caption] C.J. Stroud only threw for 131 yards in a division clincher against Miami. But the Texans have won three of four games and could heat up in time for January. 9. Denver Broncos (9-5, last week: 10th) Bo Nix is almost playoff bound. Sean Payton was right about the former Oregon/Auburn gunslinger, who is battling with Jayden Daniels and Brock Bowers for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Broncos top the Chiefs in point-differential and have remained on track all season. The NFL is better when Denver is good. 8. Baltimore Ravens (9-5, last week: 8th) Lamar Jackson would be winning his third MVP, if not for Allen. The Ravens smoked the New York Giants, while Action Jackson threw for five touchdowns. A big AFC North matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is up next. 7. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4, last week: 6th) Speaking of the team on top of the North … Russell Wilson needs a big bounce back after the Steelers were manhandled by Philadelphia. Mike Tomlin has had a heck of a year coaching his resilient squad. But Pittsburgh has to finish off 2024 the right way. 6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, last week: 7th) The Packers are loving being rid of Aaron Rodgers drama. While Green Bay’s old quarterback is engulfed by constant turmoil in New York, Jordan Love has quietly turned the Packers into a rising contender as Christmas approaches. If only the Pack played in an easier division. GettyJordan Love keeps winning games with Green Bay[/caption] 5. Minnesota Vikings (12-2, last week: 5th) Brian Flores deserves a head coaching gig, while Sam Darnold should win Comeback Player of the Year. Minnesota just keeps winning and winning. Taking the NFC North from Detroit would be a massive accomplishment, especially after Minnesota started the season without first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. 4. Detroit Lions (12-2, last week: 2nd) Dan Campbell must be sharper in crunch time. Campbell is perfect for Detroit when the Lions win. When Campbell calls an onside kick almost 10 minutes too early, decades of Detroit blues return to the surface. It’s all about finishing strong, and the Lions are stacking up injuries at the wrong time. 3. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1, last week: 1st) Resting Mahomes could be a huge win for the Chiefs. It’s hard to imagine Kansas City giving away the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Winning another Super Bowl is all that matters, which means Mahomes shouldn’t play again until Christmas Day on Netflix. 2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2, last week: 4th) Ten consecutive wins and a whole lot of momentum. A week after another round of infighting, the Eagles turned on their passing game and dominated the Steelers. Philadelphia has all it needs to return to the Super Bowl – as long as it can stick together. GettyJalen Hurts found a new way to connect with his receivers[/caption] 1. Buffalo Bills (11-3, last week: 3rd) MVP. MVP. MVP. Allen has the NFL’s most valuable award in his hands. Buffalo’s offense is almost unstoppable, while the Bills keep looking like a team of destiny in 2024. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.
Good luck to anyone standing in Josh Allen’s way.
The Buffalo Bills‘ unique quarterback is putting up historic stats with the playoffs approaching.
Josh Allen is on the verge of locking up the NFL MVP[/caption]“I would say Josh Allen for (MVP),” Steve Wyche, chief national reporter for NFL Network, exclusively told talkSPORT.
“For not only having a great season, but coming into this year we all thought the Bills were going to take a step back.”
Meanwhile, resting a hobbling Patrick Mahomes might be Kansas City’s best Super Bowl option, as the Chiefs stand at 13-1 and are moving closer to securing the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.
The second after Mahomes and Co. won the latest Super Bowl, the countdown began to LIX in New Orleans.
The NFL is the league that never stops, and there are serious contenders hoping to prevent Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and the Chiefs from becoming the first franchise in history to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat.
Here is talkSPORT’s look at the top 10 Super Bowl contenders on the long road to the Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans.
We’ll be back every week …
10. Houston Texans (9-5, last week: unranked)
Welcome back, Houston.
The Texans are back-to-back AFC South champions, despite an uneven year filled with injuries.
C.J. Stroud has guided the Texans back into the Super Bowl picture[/caption]C.J. Stroud only threw for 131 yards in a division clincher against Miami.
But the Texans have won three of four games and could heat up in time for January.
9. Denver Broncos (9-5, last week: 10th)
Bo Nix is almost playoff bound.
Sean Payton was right about the former Oregon/Auburn gunslinger, who is battling with Jayden Daniels and Brock Bowers for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Broncos top the Chiefs in point-differential and have remained on track all season.
The NFL is better when Denver is good.
8. Baltimore Ravens (9-5, last week: 8th)
Lamar Jackson would be winning his third MVP, if not for Allen.
The Ravens smoked the New York Giants, while Action Jackson threw for five touchdowns.
A big AFC North matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is up next.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4, last week: 6th)
Speaking of the team on top of the North …
Russell Wilson needs a big bounce back after the Steelers were manhandled by Philadelphia.
Mike Tomlin has had a heck of a year coaching his resilient squad.
But Pittsburgh has to finish off 2024 the right way.
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4, last week: 7th)
The Packers are loving being rid of Aaron Rodgers drama.
While Green Bay’s old quarterback is engulfed by constant turmoil in New York, Jordan Love has quietly turned the Packers into a rising contender as Christmas approaches.
If only the Pack played in an easier division.
Jordan Love keeps winning games with Green Bay[/caption]5. Minnesota Vikings (12-2, last week: 5th)
Brian Flores deserves a head coaching gig, while Sam Darnold should win Comeback Player of the Year.
Minnesota just keeps winning and winning.
Taking the NFC North from Detroit would be a massive accomplishment, especially after Minnesota started the season without first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.
4. Detroit Lions (12-2, last week: 2nd)
Dan Campbell must be sharper in crunch time.
Campbell is perfect for Detroit when the Lions win.
When Campbell calls an onside kick almost 10 minutes too early, decades of Detroit blues return to the surface.
It’s all about finishing strong, and the Lions are stacking up injuries at the wrong time.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1, last week: 1st)
Resting Mahomes could be a huge win for the Chiefs.
It’s hard to imagine Kansas City giving away the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Winning another Super Bowl is all that matters, which means Mahomes shouldn’t play again until Christmas Day on Netflix.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-2, last week: 4th)
Ten consecutive wins and a whole lot of momentum.
A week after another round of infighting, the Eagles turned on their passing game and dominated the Steelers.
Philadelphia has all it needs to return to the Super Bowl – as long as it can stick together.
Jalen Hurts found a new way to connect with his receivers[/caption]1. Buffalo Bills (11-3, last week: 3rd)
MVP. MVP. MVP.
Allen has the NFL’s most valuable award in his hands.
Buffalo’s offense is almost unstoppable, while the Bills keep looking like a team of destiny in 2024.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.