Ranking top 10 NFL Super Bowl contenders – Sam Darnold can ruin Lions’ dream and wreck Chiefs
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are both aiming for the Kansas City Chiefs. While Patrick Mahomes must wait to learn his NFL playoff opponent, the Lions and Vikings are set up for a serious battle in the NFC. GettySam Darnold has become an MVP candidate[/caption] Both Detroit and Minnesota are 14-2. The final game of the 2024 regular season will feature Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell battling in prime time for the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the NFC North crown, home-field advantage in the postseason and a first-round bye — all at the same time. 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. Green Bay Packers (11-5, last week: 6th) The record says that the Packers are 11-5 and have a plus-124 point differential. But Green Bay doesn’t belong in New Orleans right now. The good news for the Pack is that they are better than 22 other teams. The other news is that Jordan Love has been unreliable in 2024, and he must find another level in the playoffs for Green Bay to be serious contenders. GettyJordan Love, left, just lost to a Vikings team on the rise[/caption] 9. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, last week: unranked) Jim Harbaugh deserves serious Coach of the Year consideration. In a division that is controlled by the Chiefs, Los Angeles is a strong 10-6 and has refused to back down. As always, the Chargers must prove their worth when it matters. But Justin Herbert could be dangerous in the playoffs with Harbaugh patrolling the sideline. 8. Los Angeles Rams (10-6, last week: unranked) One of the hottest teams in the NFL has cracked the top 10 for the first time. Credit to Sean McVay for finding a way in 2024 — and to the Rams for not being a seller at the trade deadline. Matthew Stafford hasn’t throw for more than 190 yards in the last three games. But Los Angeles has won five straight and no one wants to play the Rams right now. 7. Washington Commanders (11-5, last week: unranked) The Rookie of the Year debate should be over. Jayden Daniels answered a midseason wall with a late-season hurdle. He’s guided Washington to four consecutive Ws, while Bo Nix has fallen backward with Denver. Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers deserves ROY consideration. But Daniels is making Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears look bad by making the Commanders look so good. 6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5, last week: 8th) Lamar Jackson will surely trade a couple MVP awards for his first Super Bowl trophy. The Ravens are running in the right direction again after humbling the Pittsburgh Steelers, then embarrassing the Houston Texans on Christmas. While the media focuses on Jackson vs Josh Allen, Baltimore is focused on its season-long goal: Being better than the Chiefs in February. 5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, last week: 2nd) Tanner McKee is now a Philly hero. And Saquon Barkley can make NFL history on Sunday against the New York Giants team that foolishly let him go. While Jalen Hurts recovers, the Eagles are beating the Dallas Cowboys 41-7 with a third-string QB. Philly needs to heal up, then push its way to New Orleans. 4. Buffalo Bills (13-3, last week: 1st) Josh Allen has done more with less this season, while the Bills are better than the Ravens. That should settle the daily MVP debate. Like Baltimore, Buffalo has bigger issues to consider. The Bills have never won the Super Bowl. This still feels like the year that Buffalo — and the Bills Mafia — could finally break through. GettyBuffalo Bills fans believe this is the year[/caption] 3. Minnesota Vikings (14-2, last week: 5th) For months, the question was when Darnold would let the Vikings down. Entering Week 18, Minnesota is one win away from a No. 1 seed, during the year that the Vikings lost first-round pick and rookie QB J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending injury. Minnesota has already been a great story. Finishing the regular season on top of Detroit and pointed toward the Superdome would be almost unbelievable. 2. Detroit Lions (14-2, last week: 4th) It’s impossible to root against the Lions. Dan Campbell faced a tough decision on Monday about sitting his starters. He bet the house, again, and Detroit answered with a tough 40-34 road win that set up a huge Week 18 battle against the Vikings. “Y’all want to call them backups, we just call them players,” Lions defender Levi Onwuzurike exclusive
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are both aiming for the Kansas City Chiefs.
While Patrick Mahomes must wait to learn his NFL playoff opponent, the Lions and Vikings are set up for a serious battle in the NFC.
Both Detroit and Minnesota are 14-2.
The final game of the 2024 regular season will feature Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell battling in prime time for the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the NFC North crown, home-field advantage in the postseason and a first-round bye — all at the same time.
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. Green Bay Packers (11-5, last week: 6th)
The record says that the Packers are 11-5 and have a plus-124 point differential.
But Green Bay doesn’t belong in New Orleans right now.
The good news for the Pack is that they are better than 22 other teams.
The other news is that Jordan Love has been unreliable in 2024, and he must find another level in the playoffs for Green Bay to be serious contenders.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, last week: unranked)
Jim Harbaugh deserves serious Coach of the Year consideration.
In a division that is controlled by the Chiefs, Los Angeles is a strong 10-6 and has refused to back down.
As always, the Chargers must prove their worth when it matters.
But Justin Herbert could be dangerous in the playoffs with Harbaugh patrolling the sideline.
8. Los Angeles Rams (10-6, last week: unranked)
One of the hottest teams in the NFL has cracked the top 10 for the first time.
Credit to Sean McVay for finding a way in 2024 — and to the Rams for not being a seller at the trade deadline.
Matthew Stafford hasn’t throw for more than 190 yards in the last three games.
But Los Angeles has won five straight and no one wants to play the Rams right now.
7. Washington Commanders (11-5, last week: unranked)
The Rookie of the Year debate should be over.
Jayden Daniels answered a midseason wall with a late-season hurdle.
He’s guided Washington to four consecutive Ws, while Bo Nix has fallen backward with Denver.
Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers deserves ROY consideration.
But Daniels is making Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears look bad by making the Commanders look so good.
6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5, last week: 8th)
Lamar Jackson will surely trade a couple MVP awards for his first Super Bowl trophy.
The Ravens are running in the right direction again after humbling the Pittsburgh Steelers, then embarrassing the Houston Texans on Christmas.
While the media focuses on Jackson vs Josh Allen, Baltimore is focused on its season-long goal: Being better than the Chiefs in February.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, last week: 2nd)
Tanner McKee is now a Philly hero.
And Saquon Barkley can make NFL history on Sunday against the New York Giants team that foolishly let him go.
While Jalen Hurts recovers, the Eagles are beating the Dallas Cowboys 41-7 with a third-string QB.
Philly needs to heal up, then push its way to New Orleans.
4. Buffalo Bills (13-3, last week: 1st)
Josh Allen has done more with less this season, while the Bills are better than the Ravens.
That should settle the daily MVP debate.
Like Baltimore, Buffalo has bigger issues to consider.
The Bills have never won the Super Bowl.
This still feels like the year that Buffalo — and the Bills Mafia — could finally break through.
3. Minnesota Vikings (14-2, last week: 5th)
For months, the question was when Darnold would let the Vikings down.
Entering Week 18, Minnesota is one win away from a No. 1 seed, during the year that the Vikings lost first-round pick and rookie QB J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending injury.
Minnesota has already been a great story.
Finishing the regular season on top of Detroit and pointed toward the Superdome would be almost unbelievable.
2. Detroit Lions (14-2, last week: 4th)
It’s impossible to root against the Lions.
Dan Campbell faced a tough decision on Monday about sitting his starters.
He bet the house, again, and Detroit answered with a tough 40-34 road win that set up a huge Week 18 battle against the Vikings.
“Y’all want to call them backups, we just call them players,” Lions defender Levi Onwuzurike exclusively told talkSPORT.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, last week: 3rd)
It’s become impossible to ignore the Chiefs again.
They’ve gone from the luckiest team in NFL history to the best team in the league again in 2024.
Now, the only shock would be Kansas City failing to reach another Super Bowl.
Three more playoff wins and the Chiefs will become the best dynasty in NFL history.
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talkSPORT will bring you live coverage across Week 18 with a double header featuring the Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions.
