The 2023 NFL season is reaching its business end and the contenders have begun to separate themselves from the pack. There have been bucketloads of talking points already this term and no, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, we’re not talking about you two. Although you have stolen most of the headlines this year to be fair to you.
No, instead we are talking about teams such as the Houston Texans. They made headlines in the summer when they made C.J. Stroud the face of their franchise with the second overall pick of the NFL Draft. They then made further headlines when they traded with the Arizona Cardinals to receive the third overall pick as well and selected linebacker Will Anderson Jr. And both of them have proven to be inspired selections.
After having a disastrous year in 2022, finishing rock bottom of the AFC with a 3-13 record, the joint least wins in the league tied with the Chicago Bears, the Lone Star State side have come out firing. Stroud has racked up the most throwing yards in the league and is on course to win the Rookie of the Year award. They have also picked up some stunning victories against the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
They are currently in third place in their division with a record of 7-5 and could be set for their first postseason appearance in four years. But despite that, they aren’t currently one of the frontrunners. Here are the teams that look in pole position for the Lombardi at Super Bowl LVIII.
San Francisco 49ers
First up, we’ve got the San Francisco 49ers. Now, I know what you’re thinking- aren’t they the team with all the injuries? Yes, they are. But hear me out – when healthy, this team is a force to be reckoned with.
They’ve got one of the best defenses in the league, led by studs like Nick Bosa. And on offense, Brock Purdy has left his Mr. Irreleavnt tag firmly in 2022 by showing flashes of brilliance, especially when he’s got weapons like George Kittle and Deebo Samuel at his disposal. And that’s without mentioning Christian McCaffrey, who is arguably the best running back in the entire league.
Plus, let’s not forget that this team was literally a few plays away from reaching the Super Bowl last year and may very well have done exactly that if they weren’t forced to turn to their fourth-choice quarterback in the NFC Championship game against the Eagles. This term’s NFL odds fancy them to right that wrong and have made them the +275 favorites for glory.
Philadelphia Eagles
If we’re talking about the Niners, then we have to mention the team that sent them packing last season, the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Hurts has carried on from his all-time great performance at Super Bowl LVII back in February and has led his side to a 10-2 record and they are currently on track to be the top seed in the NFC.
Providing they can get past the 49ers once more, then they will be aiming to banish the memories of their heartbreaking defeat to the Chiefs at State Farm Stadium, a game in which Patrick Mahomes inspired his side to overturn a ten-point half-time deficit to claim victory.
They have already racked up victories against heavyweight teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins however, a recent drubbing at the hands of the 49ers has triggered the oddsmakers to install the Californians as Lombardi favorites.
Kansas City Chiefs
Moving on to the Kansas City Chiefs. Look, I’ll be honest- I’m sick of everyone talking about the Chiefs. But alas, they are the reigning Super Bowl champs, and they’ve got a guy by the name of Patrick Mahomes leading their offense.
The former Texas Tech standout has been in blistering form once more this season and is the odds-on favorite to claim a third MVP award. Plus, this team has assets for days in the likes of Taylor Swift’s boyfriend – sorry, Travis – and Isiah Pacheco, they aren’t just a one-trick pony.
They are currently top of the AFC West however, their 8-4 record isn’t as impressive as in years gone by and they have already been defeated by lowly sides such as the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Denver Broncos.
It won’t be an easy road to repeating as champions, but the Chiefs have the talent and experience to make it happen and become the first side since the Patriots almost two decades ago to successfully retain the trophy.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are another team that seems to be on everyone’s radar this season. And for good reason. Lamar Jackson is one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in the game right now.
With a skillset that seems almost unfair, he has found a way to return to the kind of form that saw him become the second man in history to win the MVP award unanimously back in 2019.
They’re currently sitting atop the AFC North division – which is probably the toughest division in the entire league alongside the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns – and will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.
