The field of real Super Bowl candidates is getting smaller every week as the NFL playoffs draw near. This year, certain teams have started to show themselves as serious competitors to win the Lombardi Trophy, while others now have a longer chance of doing so.
There have only been nine teams eliminated so far, but as the season draws to a close, many more will follow. Each competing team now has a unique argument for why they should be considered for the Super Bowl. We will provide that argument to them.
These brief statistics help illustrate each candidate’s claim to victory in Super Bowl LIX.
Lions of Detroit (12-2)
Detroit’s offensive powerhouse has scored 459 points in its first 14 games, more than any other team in the NFL.
The Lions’ aggressive offensive strategy is a perfect fit for their highly-caffeinated head coach, and they plan to continue outscoring opponents until they win their first-ever Super Bowl.
The Green Bay Packers (10-4)
The Packers have jumped off to a 10–4 record thanks to their top 10 scoring offense and defense. On average, they score 27.1 points and give up 20.5 points every game. With an average of 2.9 sacks per game, their pass rush is ranked in the top 10. Green Bay will be a serious contender to make a run for the Super Bowl and win their first championship since Aaron Rodgers left if they can continue to play brilliantly on both sides of the ball.
The Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
It’s possible that Kevin O’Connell is the quarterback whisperer that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has long praised. In his first season in Minnesota, San Darnold has excelled, and the team believes they can go as far as his arm will carry them. He has led the Vikings’ passing offense to a top 10 ranking and tossed a career-high 29 touchdowns.
Eagles of Philadelphia (12-2)
The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense has been totally transformed by Saquon Barkley, and as they shown last week, they can still succeed even if he isn’t making several trips to the end zone. With an average of a league-leading 186.2 rushing yards per game, the Eagles are the greatest team in football at running the ball, and they will want to keep playing to their strengths as they contend for a championship.
Commanders in Washington (9-5)
With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading one of the NFL’s most effective attacks, the Commanders have exceeded expectations throughout the season and appear to be a serious contender to leave the NFC. It will be essential for them to put everything together against fierce competition. They have only played three clubs with a winning record thus far, and they have lost all three of those encounters. Their upcoming game against the Eagles may portend the outcome of their postseason run.
Buffalo Bills (12-2)
Josh Allen has improved to MVP-caliber play since he got engaged. He was undoubtedly a contender, if not the favorite, prior to the game, but in his last three games, he has passed for seven touchdowns with no interceptions and rushed for six more. The quarterback is the lifeblood of this team, and he currently appears to be unstoppable. At the second-best rate in the league, Buffalo is outscoring its opponents by an average of 9.6 points per game.
Steelers of Pittsburgh (10-4)
The starting quarterback for the Steelers, Russell Wilson, is 6–2. Even though Wilson has played well in his comeback season under Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh’s success this season will largely depend on their defense. The Steelers, who have been successful in stopping some top-tier teams this season, have the sixth-best scoring defense and fourth-best run defense in the league.
Chiefs of Kansas City (13-1)
Since last year, the Chiefs have won a league-high 15 consecutive one-possession games, including 10 this season, giving them the best record in the NFL. Even if they weren’t playing their best football, they managed to do that. Although Patrick Mahomes’ injury is undoubtedly worrisome, the Chiefs will be in the running with the other teams if he recovers and is prepared for the postseason. They’ll be difficult to stop if they can launch an offensive offensive like we’ve seen in previous years.
Broncos of Denver (9-6)
Bo Nix has shown incredible growth during his rookie campaign. After a terrible start to his career, Nix has made a huge turnaround and is now perhaps the greatest rookie quarterback in this year’s class. Nix has just six interceptions and 17 touchdowns in his in eight games, despite throwing three picks against the Colts in Week 15. Denver may make a deep postseason run thanks to Nix’s dual threat skills and a strong passing defense.
Ravens of Baltimore (9-5)
This season, Lamar Jackson has only thrown three interceptions. In addition to that amazing number, he has three rushing touchdowns and 34 passing touchdowns. The Ravens have one of the most impressive offensive units in sports because to Derrick Henry, and their domination on the ground and in the air makes them one of the league’s scariest teams—better than their five-loss record would suggest.
Chargers of Los Angeles (9-6)
The impact that a coaching change can have. The Chargers appear to be a dominant team under Jim Harbaugh, who has also unleashed some of the potential that Justin Herbert Truthers have been raving about for years. With a scoring defense that gives up only 18.3 points per game, Los Angeles is ranked third in the NFL. They will try to stop opposing attacks on their way to winning the Super Bowl.
Texans of Houston (9-5)
The Texans are still leading the AFC South and in the running for the playoffs, even though CJ Stroud took a significant step back in 2024. In addition to allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game (302.4), Houston’s defense has been outstanding, limiting opponents to 21.4 points per game, which is the ninth-best in the league.
Buccaneers of Tampa Bay (8-6)
Despite suffering injuries to several of its key players, like Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, the Buccaneers have the fourth-best scoring attack in football, averaging 28.8 points per game.Their defense hasn’t been up to par; opponents throw 247.7 yards per game against them, and they rank 30th in the league in passing defense. Baker Mayfield and the offense, who haven’t been kept below 20 points since Week 3, will be the reason the Bucs make the playoffs or possibly win the Super Bowl.
Rams of Los Angeles (8-6)
With Matthew Stafford back on the offensive line, the Rams appear to be a whole different club. Apart from their poor performance against the 49ers, the offense has thrived in recent weeks with to the return of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Los Angeles has won three straight games, including a shootout against the Buffalo Bills, and has scored at least 20 points in five of its previous seven games. The Rams have the offensive firepower to create a stir in the playoffs if their defense can replicate its performance against the 49ers in Week 15.
