Who Are the Real Super Bowl Contenders?

The NFL regular season finally came to an exciting close on Sunday with the final three spots in the playoffs being given to the Ravens, Colts, and Eagles. All of the twelve teams in the playoffs have won when it mattered. None got there by luck, and none were undeserving of their spot this year, but which teams can really contend for the title, and which ones are just along for the ride?

Front-runners

New Orleans Saints

The most clear contender is the New Orleans Saints. This team boasted an impressive 13-3 record for the first time since 2008, the year they won their one and only Super Bowl. While their division was not as difficult as many would have expected, they still had impressive wins over the Eagles, Bengals, Redskins, and Rams, giving the LA squad their first of three losses on the season. Since that win, the Saints have been the favorite to win the Super Bowl, and they have not let up.

Los Angeles Rams

Who else would be on this list other than the only other team that went 13-3. With their loss to New Orleans, they ended up with the two seed, but people seem to forget what happened the week directly after. Let me remind you: two of the best offenses went at it for three hours, trading the lead on many occasions and finally clinching the 54-51 win in the only game ever for the losing team to score at least 50. This signature win is what keeps them in the conversation.

Kansas City Chiefs

Who was the loser in that legendary game? The Chiefs went 12-4 while successfully holding off their division foes, the Los Angeles Chargers, to a 12-4 record as well. The Chiefs ended up with the tiebreak and the 1 seed in the AFC. This team is the most dynamic in the conference with Patrick Mahomes lighting up defenses to his main targets: Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. This squad's impressive wins over the Chargers, Ravens, and Steelers, are what show their immense skill and resiliency. This team has the 1 seed for a reason.

Contenders

New England Patriots

It's the first year in a while that they aren't considered a front-runner, but their 11-5 campaign this year seemed... lackluster. They got lucky enough that the AFC South and North were even divisions, giving the Patriots the 2 seed, but this team has not looked like the dynasty we've known and hated. That one-point loss to the Dolphins on that miracle final play has left a distaste in them, and has been the largest story of their season. Yes, they beat the Chiefs in a shootout, but that seems like a lifetime ago. Still, this team is the Patriots, so they have a solid chance.

Baltimore Ravens

Where did this team come from? They decided to start Lamar Jackson when Joe Flacco was injured, and they completely overtook the division. Ending on a three-game win streak after their tough loss to Kansas City, they passed Pittsburgh in the race for the AFC North and ended up with the 4 seed. Despite that, they boasted great wins over the Chargers, Browns, and Titans, and nearly beat the Saints. This team could actually do well throughout the playoffs and can use their momentum to take the title.

Los Angeles Chargers

This is the first time they made the playoffs in their new home, but don't let their 5 seed fool you. They reached 12-4, narrowly losing the tiebreak to Kansas City. This team had so many great wins from the Steelers to the Titans to the Seahawks to the comeback against the Chiefs with the winning two-point conversion. However, the reason this team is not in the front-runners category are those ugly losses, especially the one to Baltimore, who they will face again in the Wild Card Round. If this team can get past Baltimore, they can do a lot of damage and possibly win the title.

Chicago Bears

The only team to make this category in the NFC: the one that absolutely dominated the Rams at home. This defense is matched by no other. You may argue the Ravens, but this defense held the Rams to 6 points. The Ravens held the Chiefs to 27. My point is made. This defense, with Khalil Mack ripping through the O-line, is possibly better than any since the Legion of Boom. This 12-4 team could have ended up undefeated. They lost all four of their games by one score, with one being a one-point loss in Week 1 to the Packers. This team is not clutch, as they've lost twice in overtime to inferior teams, but they have heart and skill and have a legitimate shot at winning it all.

Look Out for These Teams

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles ended their season impressively, starting at a dismal 4-5. They managed to win their final three games to get a 9-7 record and get a chance at defending their title. This team has a lot ahead of them. They're back on their back-up QB (I know he's been doing better than Wentz), and they haven't looked very strong at all this season. However, they are the defending champs, so look out for them doing damage in the NFC.

Houston Texans

This team started off 0-3 and nearly ended the season with the 2 seed in the AFC. They lost out to the Patriots because of a head-to-head tiebreak and will face their division foe in the first round. This team looked strong in the middle of the season, winning nine straight to make it to 9-3. They ultimately went 2-2 in their final four games, but they have proven that they have the skill to compete with the big guys. Watch out for them to do some damage in the AFC.

Indianapolis Colts

Who's the hottest team in the NFL? This question is up for debate, but I'm going to go with the team that ended the season 9-1, with their only loss in that time span being a 6-0 loss to the Jaguars. Those nine games include a win against the Texans, who they will face in the first round. With a rejuvenated Andrew Luck playing his best football, you can expect this team to shake things up in the AFC.

There for the Fun

Dallas Cowboys

Okay, as a Redskins fan, I am supremely biased against this team. However, I recognize that the inability of Jason Garrett to win playoff games will not just magically go away. Yes, this team had clutch wins over the Giants, Saints, and Eagles twice, they have no shot at winning the title. They have the skill, but they are just not dynamic enough to do any damage. I said the same thing when they went 13-3 two years ago, and I was right. They didn't even win their first game. The only reason they may make it to the second game this time is because of their opponent.

Seattle Seahawks

It seems weird that the two worst teams will face each other in the first round, but it's seeming to happen. The Seahawks came up with some good wins, like the ones over Minnesota and Kansas City, but losing twice to the Rams after leading in both? They have no chance. This is an over-achieving squad who has very little talent and is purely getting in because of Pete Carroll's superb coaching. While I recognize their playoff experience, they have no chance.

My Prediction

After an exciting NFL season, it is reasonable to believe the playoffs will continue the emotions. With all of this being said, I do not believe any of the front-runners will make the Super Bowl. I think Brady's experience, combined with Andy Reid's playoff history, will give the Patriots the edge they need to make their third straight Super Bowl. To me, the NFC is a toss-up between the top 3 teams. However, if the end of the season showed anything, it's that defense reigns supreme. I take the Bears to make the Super Bowl. From there, I think Brady's experience as well as Belichick's superb coaching will get them their sixth Super Bowl, tying the Steelers for the most.