Ranking Super Bowl contenders – Two of NFL’s unluckiest teams on a collision course for SB LIX in New Orleans
The second after the Kansas City Chiefs won another 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 Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and the Chiefs from becoming the first franchise in history to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat. GettyJosh Allen is the hottest QB in the NFL as December heats up[/caption] Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are rising to the top of the AFC, while Saquon Barkley has crashed the most valuable player debate. “Saquon Barkley is having an MVP level season,” talkSPORT Run Down host Will Gavin said. “The New York Giants decided they couldn’t possibly afford to pay Saquon Barkley — they lowballed him massively, which is why he looked to leave in free agency.” 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. Baltimore Ravens, (8-5, last week: 7th ) Winning continues to be a problem for the Ravens. Despite having one of the league’s best quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson) and running backs (Derrick Henry), Baltimore has spent the 2024 season dropping games it needs to win. A team that’s supposed to be proving it can rise to the top of a top-heavy AFC is too unreliable in big moments. GettyLamar Jackson and the Ravens are still searching for weekly consistency[/caption] 9. Denver Broncos, (8-5, last week: 10th) The legend of Bo Nix is growing. One thing is certain about this season’s Broncos: Sean Payton was right. He saw something special in Nix, and the former Oregon/Auburn gunslinger is about to steal Offensive Rookie of the Year from Washington QB Jayden Daniels. 8. Los Angeles Chargers, (8-4, last week: 8th) Justin Herbert has only thrown 13 touchdown passes. The strong-armed QB has also only given up one interception. With Jim Harbaugh bringing more efficiency to the Chargers’ offense, Los Angeles keeps playing like a playoff team that could deliver a huge January upset. 7. Green Bay Packers, (9-3, last week: 6th) The Packers are loving being rid of Aaron Rodgers drama. While Green Bay’s old quarterback is engulfed by mounting 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. 6. Minnesota Vikings, (10-2, last week: 5th) Daniel Jones finally is part of a winner. With the ex-Giant signing on to stand behind Sam Darnold, the Vikings are one Detroit slip up away from potentially taking over the mighty NFC North. Brian Flores deserves multiple head coach interviews whenever Minnesota’s season ends. GettySam Darnold is still defying doubters in December[/caption] 5. Pittsburgh Steelers, (9-3, last week: 9th) Mike Tomlin has turned the burner to 10 and is letting Russell Wilson cook again. It was easy to overlook Pittsburgh in the early weeks of 2024. It’s becoming increasingly difficult in December, especially after big wins over Cincinnati, Baltimore and Washington. Tomlin is a top Coach of the Year candidate. The Steelers have cracked talkSPORT’s top five for the first time this season. 4. Kansas City Chiefs, (11-1, last week: 3rd) Congrats on being the worst 11-1 team in NFL history. It won’t be shocking if Kansas City pulls it all together at the perfect time and becomes the first team since pro football began to win three consecutive Super Bowls. It also won’t be surprising if Patrick Mahomes and the uneven Chiefs get knocked out of the Divisional Round at Arrowhead Stadium. When you need a fumbled snap to hang on and beat the 2-10 Las Vegas Raiders, winning another Super Bowl feels a long way away. GettyPatrick Mahomes knows the Chiefs have to be better to win it all again[/caption] 3. Philadelphia Eagles, (10-2, last week: 4th) New Orleans is getting closer for Philadelphia. The Eagles haven’t lost a game since September, while Saquon Barkley has become Josh Allen’s biggest rival for NFL MVP. With Jalen Hurts throwing it back to 2022 the Eagles are rolling over the opposition. 2. Detroit Lions, (11-1, last week: 1st) Detroit is so strong that leaked play codes can’t cage the Lions. Theoretically. Detroit has lost name after name, yet Dan Campbell’s crew keeps clawing out weekly wins. The only worry is that the banged-up Lions will again peak before the Superdome. Dan Campbell is getting closer to the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed and a welcome bye 1. Buffalo Bills, (10-2, last week: 2nd) The new No. 1 in the NFL. Allen is sharing the snow with Sean McDermott. The Bills Mafia is believing. Buffalo would win the Super Bowl if it was played today. Could this finally be the year for the Bills? They’ve been waiting on a breakthrough since SB I in 1967. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on
The second after the Kansas City Chiefs won another 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 Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and the Chiefs from becoming the first franchise in history to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are rising to the top of the AFC, while Saquon Barkley has crashed the most valuable player debate.
“Saquon Barkley is having an MVP level season,” talkSPORT Run Down host Will Gavin said.
“The New York Giants decided they couldn’t possibly afford to pay Saquon Barkley — they lowballed him massively, which is why he looked to leave in free agency.”
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. Baltimore Ravens, (8-5, last week: 7th )
Winning continues to be a problem for the Ravens.
Despite having one of the league’s best quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson) and running backs (Derrick Henry), Baltimore has spent the 2024 season dropping games it needs to win.
A team that’s supposed to be proving it can rise to the top of a top-heavy AFC is too unreliable in big moments.
9. Denver Broncos, (8-5, last week: 10th)
The legend of Bo Nix is growing.
One thing is certain about this season’s Broncos: Sean Payton was right.
He saw something special in Nix, and the former Oregon/Auburn gunslinger is about to steal Offensive Rookie of the Year from Washington QB Jayden Daniels.
8. Los Angeles Chargers, (8-4, last week: 8th)
Justin Herbert has only thrown 13 touchdown passes.
The strong-armed QB has also only given up one interception.
With Jim Harbaugh bringing more efficiency to the Chargers’ offense, Los Angeles keeps playing like a playoff team that could deliver a huge January upset.
7. Green Bay Packers, (9-3, last week: 6th)
The Packers are loving being rid of Aaron Rodgers drama.
While Green Bay’s old quarterback is engulfed by mounting 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.
6. Minnesota Vikings, (10-2, last week: 5th)
Daniel Jones finally is part of a winner.
With the ex-Giant signing on to stand behind Sam Darnold, the Vikings are one Detroit slip up away from potentially taking over the mighty NFC North.
Brian Flores deserves multiple head coach interviews whenever Minnesota’s season ends.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers, (9-3, last week: 9th)
Mike Tomlin has turned the burner to 10 and is letting Russell Wilson cook again.
It was easy to overlook Pittsburgh in the early weeks of 2024.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult in December, especially after big wins over Cincinnati, Baltimore and Washington.
Tomlin is a top Coach of the Year candidate.
The Steelers have cracked talkSPORT’s top five for the first time this season.
4. Kansas City Chiefs, (11-1, last week: 3rd)
Congrats on being the worst 11-1 team in NFL history.
It won’t be shocking if Kansas City pulls it all together at the perfect time and becomes the first team since pro football began to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
It also won’t be surprising if Patrick Mahomes and the uneven Chiefs get knocked out of the Divisional Round at Arrowhead Stadium.
When you need a fumbled snap to hang on and beat the 2-10 Las Vegas Raiders, winning another Super Bowl feels a long way away.
3. Philadelphia Eagles, (10-2, last week: 4th)
New Orleans is getting closer for Philadelphia.
The Eagles haven’t lost a game since September, while Saquon Barkley has become Josh Allen’s biggest rival for NFL MVP.
With Jalen Hurts throwing it back to 2022 the Eagles are rolling over the opposition.
2. Detroit Lions, (11-1, last week: 1st)
Detroit is so strong that leaked play codes can’t cage the Lions.
Theoretically.
Detroit has lost name after name, yet Dan Campbell’s crew keeps clawing out weekly wins.
The only worry is that the banged-up Lions will again peak before the Superdome.
1. Buffalo Bills, (10-2, last week: 2nd)
The new No. 1 in the NFL.
Allen is sharing the snow with Sean McDermott.
The Bills Mafia is believing.
Buffalo would win the Super Bowl if it was played today.
Could this finally be the year for the Bills?
They’ve been waiting on a breakthrough since SB I in 1967.
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.
