Ranking Super Bowl contenders – With Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs this ‘lucky’ it’s hard for anyone to get in the way of NFL history
The Kansas City Chiefs are the best team in NFL history at barely winning. Andy Reid couldn’t bear to watch his team’s latest last-second victory. GettyPatrick Mahomes knows how to win, even in the final seconds[/caption] But the Chiefs prevailed yet again, improving to 12-1 and moving closer to locking up the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. The second after Kansas City 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 Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Reid from becoming the first franchise in history to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat. The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills have been season-long foes, while Saquon Barkley has given the Philadelphia Eagles a new edge. “Barkley is having an MVP level season,” talkSPORT Run Down host Will Gavin said. 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. Denver Broncos (8-5, last week: 9th) 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 trying to steal Offensive Rookie of the Year from Washington QB Jayden Daniels. GettyBo Nix is aiming for the playoffs and Offensive Rookie of the Year[/caption] 9. Seattle Seahawks (8-5, last week: unranked) The Seahawks have won eight games by a total of 19 points. Seattle also has Geno Smith at QB, and the New York Jets castoff ranks second in the NFL in passing yards (3,474). Throw in an underrated defense that’s 11th in average points allowed (21.8), and Mike Macdonald is starting to have a positive impact in the Pacific Northwest. 8. Baltimore Ravens (8-5, last week: 10th) 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. But as long as Jackson and Henry are clicking, Baltimore still has time to break through. GettyDerrick Henry could be a beast for the Ravens in the postseason[/caption] 7. Green Bay Packers (9-4, last week: 7th) 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. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3, last week: 5th) 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 should win Coach of the Year if the Steelers lock down the AFC North. 5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2, last week: 6th) Kirk Cousins, who? While Atlanta’s overpaid QB threw two picks, trusted Vikings vet Sam Darnold moved into the MVP conversation. Minnesota is still winning big with another Jets castoff in Week 15. No one predicted that entering Week 1. 4. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2, last week: 3rd) The Eagles are one communication breakdown from messing all this up. Even when they win their ninth straight game, there’s disharmony in Philly. The good news is that the Eagles are 11-2 and have been threatening to fall apart since the end of last season. Talent sometimes trumps brotherly love. GettyNick Sirianni must keep the Eagles from breaking apart[/caption] 3. Buffalo Bills (10-3, last week: 1st) The Bills were due for a letdown after locking up their division and a playoff spot almost a month before Christmas. But did Buffalo really have to give up 44 points on the road to the 7-6 Los Angeles Rams? The Bills need the No. 1 seed and a potential AFC Championship game in Buffalo. Losing to the Rams definitely didn’t help that hope. 2. Detroit Lions (12-1, last week: 2nd) It feels like the second-best team in the NFL is barely holding onto the No. 2 spot. Then again, the Bills just lost to the Rams, while the Chiefs got lucky in beating the Raiders. Detroit needs the NFC’s top seed for home-field advantage … and some much-needed rest. GettyJared Goff and the Lions could use a bye week[/caption] 1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1, last week: 3rd) The team that won’t lose just keeps winning. Kansas City is setting records for one-score victories, creating NFL history by barely pulling out W after W. Even when Andy Reid can’t look, the Chiefs still win. At some po
The Kansas City Chiefs are the best team in NFL history at barely winning.
Andy Reid couldn’t bear to watch his team’s latest last-second victory.
But the Chiefs prevailed yet again, improving to 12-1 and moving closer to locking up the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.
The second after Kansas City 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 Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Reid from becoming the first franchise in history to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat.
The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills have been season-long foes, while Saquon Barkley has given the Philadelphia Eagles a new edge.
“Barkley is having an MVP level season,” talkSPORT Run Down host Will Gavin said.
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. Denver Broncos (8-5, last week: 9th)
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 trying to steal Offensive Rookie of the Year from Washington QB Jayden Daniels.
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-5, last week: unranked)
The Seahawks have won eight games by a total of 19 points.
Seattle also has Geno Smith at QB, and the New York Jets castoff ranks second in the NFL in passing yards (3,474).
Throw in an underrated defense that’s 11th in average points allowed (21.8), and Mike Macdonald is starting to have a positive impact in the Pacific Northwest.
8. Baltimore Ravens (8-5, last week: 10th)
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.
But as long as Jackson and Henry are clicking, Baltimore still has time to break through.
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4, last week: 7th)
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. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3, last week: 5th)
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 should win Coach of the Year if the Steelers lock down the AFC North.
5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2, last week: 6th)
Kirk Cousins, who?
While Atlanta’s overpaid QB threw two picks, trusted Vikings vet Sam Darnold moved into the MVP conversation.
Minnesota is still winning big with another Jets castoff in Week 15.
No one predicted that entering Week 1.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2, last week: 3rd)
The Eagles are one communication breakdown from messing all this up.
Even when they win their ninth straight game, there’s disharmony in Philly.
The good news is that the Eagles are 11-2 and have been threatening to fall apart since the end of last season.
Talent sometimes trumps brotherly love.
3. Buffalo Bills (10-3, last week: 1st)
The Bills were due for a letdown after locking up their division and a playoff spot almost a month before Christmas.
But did Buffalo really have to give up 44 points on the road to the 7-6 Los Angeles Rams?
The Bills need the No. 1 seed and a potential AFC Championship game in Buffalo.
Losing to the Rams definitely didn’t help that hope.
2. Detroit Lions (12-1, last week: 2nd)
It feels like the second-best team in the NFL is barely holding onto the No. 2 spot.
Then again, the Bills just lost to the Rams, while the Chiefs got lucky in beating the Raiders.
Detroit needs the NFC’s top seed for home-field advantage … and some much-needed rest.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1, last week: 3rd)
The team that won’t lose just keeps winning.
Kansas City is setting records for one-score victories, creating NFL history by barely pulling out W after W.
Even when Andy Reid can’t look, the Chiefs still win.
At some point, the God of Luck will decide Kansas City is too far in debt in 2024.
Or the Chiefs will create more NFL history with a Super Bowl three-peat, and win the big game again on a last-second Hail Mary in New Orleans.
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