In the NFL, the field of contenders for the Super Bowl is large. While the AFC resembles a real shark tank, various “goldfish” also swim in the NFC.
Who faces the beginning of 2024 Vince Lombardi Trophy in the closet? The defending champions Kansas City Chiefs with the overpowering Patrick Mahomes, the eternally ambitious Buffalo Billsthe young and spectacular Cincinnati Bengals, the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers, the fast Miami Dolphinsthe last multiple “secret favorite” Los Angeles Chargersthe tactical retreads Baltimore Ravens or the Jacksonville Jaguars with exceptional talent Trevor Lawrence?
And what about those denver broncos, who signed the successful coach Sean Payton? And do you have to Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers not also belong to the extended group of candidates?
AFC – many contenders for seven playoff spots
With all of these franchises In any case, a scenario is somehow conceivable in which the team plays an outstanding season and at least has hopes of participating in the super bowl can make. Of course, this scenario is more likely for some than for others, but it is conceivable for everyone. The special thing: All these teams play in the AFC.
Small digression: The NFL is in two conferences divided, the AFC and the NFC. They are in turn in four Divisions divided into four teams. Around the playoffs to achieve one must own division win, or among the remaining twelve teams of the Conference belong to the top three teams. Both play in the playoffs conferences their respective winners, who are then in super bowl meet.
The contenders for a total of seven places in the playoffs, each Conference has available is extremely large in the AFC. Also those not mentioned before Tennessee Titans or New England Patriots could get a taste of the playoffs if things go well. In the coming season there will probably hardly be a really “bad” team in the AFC, at least if the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts their young quarterbacks can develop quickly.
Eagles and 49ers are favorites in the NFC
In the NFC, the field of the real “sharks” is much smaller, that of the “goldfish”, to stay in the picture, but larger. The Philly Eagles are again a real title candidate after the narrowly lost Super Bowl, even if they both their offensiveas well as Defensive coordinator have lost to other teams and this changeover may take some time at first.
Also the San Francisco 49ers are not only among the serious contenders for the title among bookmakers. The 49ers are again extremely strong – but there is still a big question mark behind the quarterback position: Brock Purdy, who took over there almost out of nowhere in the middle of last season, but then suffered a serious injury, still has to prove that he has performed well so far can continue to produce. There are also apparently difficult contract negotiations with star defensive man Nick Bosa.
Cowboys, Seahawks and Lions – all with question marks
Behind there is already a small gap in the field of serious candidates. The Dallas Cowboys are once again very ambitious, but have not really managed to live up to their own standards in recent years and have not changed their squad dramatically. Also thanks to strong defense all around Pass rush star Micah Parsons but this time the big leap should really succeed.
Then there’s the Seattle Seahawkswho in the past season with Quarterback Geno Smith and some young players exceeded all expectations, but first have to confirm this surprise season in order to even get into the playoffs get. The Detroit Lions with the German Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown various experts also trust a strong season, precisely because they made a big step forward in the second half of last season – but there is a “but” here too: The Lions Haven’t played in the playoffs since 2017 and while the defense has strengthened on paper with new players, it needs to make a huge leap to meet elevated standards.
Cardinals as a last-place contender
At the other end of the spectrum are the forecasts Arizona Cardinals or even the Los Angeles Rams. Two teams that have filled a large portion of their roster with largely unknown and inexperienced players. Just the Cardinalswhich will see injured quarterback Kyler Murray missing at least the first four games, are considered strong contenders for the worst record this season.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray with a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints
In the NFC South play with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons certainly teams that have exciting young quarterbacks (Carolina), an interesting offensive philosophy (Atlanta) or still strong veterans in the squad (New Orleans, Tampa Bay), but none of them should have any serious chances in the race for the championship, even in a best-case scenario. The same applies to the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers or the Washington Commanders.
Which NFC team will benefit?
For teams like them New York Giants or the Minnesota Vikings maybe this is good news. In the AFC, their chances would probably be rather slim, but the playoffs in the NFC also have to be filled after all. Thus, also for NFC-franchises a season possible that ends not so far from the Super Bowl. After all, salmon is king among goldfish – or something.