Who Actually Has a Shot at the Super Bowl?
Sports Opinion by Josh Blatt
Wide open
This may be the preseason with the most wide open Super Bowl chances in recent memory. For the past three to four years the easy prediction has been Chiefs vs Buccaneers or 49ers. This being due to the Chiefs' dominant offense, the 49ers' dominant defense, and Tom Brady. How surprising would it be if I told you that realistically the only team in that discussion I could see making a run are the Bucs? They have a good shot at making a run with Los Angeles Rams' quarterback Matthew Stafford's elbow under a microscope.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are the clear betting favorite at +600 (via FanDuel) and thats large in part due to the phenomenal first four years of Josh Allen. The guy can f*cking play, he's a 6'5" 240lb anomaly. He runs with purpose and speed and can throw the ball a country mile. He's not the only player that could factor into Buffalo's success, as the new additions of linebacker Von Miller and defensive lineman DaQuan Jones are sure to transform a defense that was already #1 in the NFL. Plain and simple-- they have weapons. The main concern for the Bills will be health and age, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Los Angeles (they should still be in San Diego) Chargers
Probably one my most 'out there' selections, the Chargers have had one major issue throughout quarterback Justin Herbert's career-- the team just can't manage to stay healthy. Whether it be safety Derwin James or defensive end Joey Bosa, Los Angeles needs a full and healthy roster to be able to compete for the Lombardi Trophy come February. The Khalil Mack addition will be the biggest what-if of the season, if he can continue to play at a high level in the best division in football, the Chargers will certainly make a deep playoff run. I predict a Chargers vs Bills AFC Championship if things fall Los Angeles' way.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's Tom Brady man, theres no other guy you want leading your team. We can address the obvious-- of course he's 45 and entering his 23rd NFL season, he took an 11 day hiatus, and head coach Bruce Arians has retired. With that being said, there isn't a doubt in my mind that the Buccaneers are on their way to another NFC Championship Game appearance. The covid year champions are getting wide receiver Chris Godwin back from an ACL tear, Mike Evans and Leonard Fournette are still in the lineup, and they brought in veteran wide receiver Julio Jones into the mix. Tampa Bay retains a top seven ranked defense lead by 3rd year linebacker Devin White, which makes them my favorites to return to the Super Bowl representing the NFC.
Cincinnati Bengals
Surprisingly, the Bengals aren't getting much credit this preseason. They lost in the last game of the NFL season 23-20 against the Los Angeles Rams, and they're somehow getting written off? The logic just isn't there for me, I don't understand how the Green Bay Packers are getting love from the sports books at +1200 but the defending AFC champions are getting put at +2200 (via FanDuel). Especially when the Packers haven't been able to get it done in the later stages of the playoffs and potentially have to face off against the likes of the 49ers and the Rams. Quarterback Joe Burrow has all the weapons in the world, a reloaded offensive line, and a defense that can make waves in a loaded AFC North. I think Bengals to make the playoffs should be a lock at -134 which puts them at the 13th best odds in the league and the seventh!? best odds in the AFC. The biggest x-factor this year will be Ja'Marr Chase. The issue for other teams being if opposing secondaries decide to double Chase, Joe Burrow has Tee Higgins and/or Tyler Boyd open. Oh, and they have Joe Mixon coming out of the backfield. I'd look to Cincinnati to return to the playoffs and potentially have the highest rated offense in the league.
Los Angeles Rams
Will the Rams will be good this year? Absolutely. Will they be able to overcome quarterback Matthew Stafford's elbow injury? Probably. Will Odell Beckham Jr. be rejoining them on their quest to become the first back to back Super Bowl Champions since New England accomplished the feat in 2003 and 2004? Potentially. Look, history tells us there's a very small percentage that the Rams win it back to back, but it isn't necessarily impossible. With arguably the most dominant defensive player of all time up front in Aaron Donald, a triple crown wide receiver in Cooper Kupp, and a generational arm at quarter back; nothing seems impossible or even improbable for the Rams. My biggest concerns lie in the losses of guard Austin Corbett and fourth ranked punter Johnny Hekker who will both be playing for the Carolina Panthers this season. I know it may sound funny to think that the loss of a punter is one of their key departures, but Hekker was and is still real deal-- he's an absolute weapon with an arsenal of options based on any type of situation. Corbett is making a handsome 8.75 million dollars per year to try and help Christian McCaffrey and Baker Mayfield(?) gain some yards this year. With the loss of Corbett the Rams have a slight hole to fill, but the depth of their offensive line should get them through. Also the replacement of Von Miller with Bobby Wagner was extremely impressive and seemingly has gone under the radar somehow?
Final Thoughts
I believe the Super Bowl Champions will be coming out of the AFC this year, with the top three most likely being the Bills, Chargers, and Bengals in that order. I know there are a couple of teams missing such as the Kansas City Chiefs or the San Francisco 49ers, and the reason I believe those teams won't make it there are simple. Kansas City replaced Tyreek Hill with JuJu Smith-Schuster (who COULD fill in nicely) and 49ers' quarterback Trey Lance just hasn't proved it to me yet. Who do you think will be in the Super Bowl and why? Go to the 'Contact Us' page and let us know!