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 is putting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the closet at the beginning of 2024? The defending champions Kansas City Chiefs with the overpowering Patrick Mahomes, the ever-ambitious Buffalo Bills, the young and spectacular Cincinnati Bengals, the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers, the fast Miami Dolphins, the recently multiple “secret favourite” Los Angeles Chargers, who completely renewed their tactics Baltimore Ravens or the Jacksonville Jaguars with exceptional talent Trevor Lawrence?
And what about the Denver Broncos, who signed hit coach Sean Payton? And shouldn’t the Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers also be included in the extended group of contenders?
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AFC – many contenders for seven playoff spots
In any case, with all these franchises, a scenario is somehow conceivable in which the team plays an outstanding season and can at least have hopes of participating in the Super Bowl. Of course, this scenario is more likely for some than for others, but it is conceivable for everyone. What makes it special is that all of these teams play in the AFC.
Small digression: The NFL is divided into two conferences, the AFC and the NFC. They are in turn divided into four divisions with four teams each. In order to reach the playoffs, you have to win your own division or be among the top three teams among the remaining twelve teams in the conference. In the playoffs, both conferences play their respective winners, who then meet in the Super Bowl.
The field of contenders for the total of seven places in the playoffs that each conference has available is extremely large in the AFC. The previously unnamed Tennessee Titans or New England Patriots could also get a taste of the playoffs if they go well. There may not be a really “bad” team in the AFC next season, at least if the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts can develop their young quarterbacks 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. After narrowly losing the Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles are again a real contender for the title, even though they have lost both their offensive and defensive coordinator to other teams and this changeover may take some time at first.
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, first has to prove that he has so far can continue to provide attractive services. 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. Thanks to strong defense around pass rush star Micah Parsons, the big leap should really succeed this time.
Then there’s the Seattle Seahawks, who outperformed last year with quarterback Geno Smith and some young players but need to confirm that surprise season to even make the playoffs. Various experts also believe that the Detroit Lions with German wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown can have 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 made the playoffs since 2017, and while the defense has strengthened on paper with new players, it has to make a huge leap to meet elevated standards.
Cardinals as a last-place contender
At the other end of the spectrum are the 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. The Cardinals, in particular, where injured quarterback Kyler Murray will miss at least the first four games, are considered hot contenders for the worst record of the season.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray with a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints
In the NFC South there are teams with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers, the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons that have exciting young quarterbacks (Carolina), an interesting offensive philosophy (Atlanta) or still strong routines 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?
This could be good news for teams like the New York Giants or the Minnesota Vikings. In the AFC, their chances would probably be rather slim, but the playoffs in the NFC also have to be filled after all. Thus, a season that ends not so far away from the Super Bowl is also possible for NFC franchises that are likely to be more in the sporting mediocrity. After all, salmon is king among goldfish – or something.
2023-09-06 12:23:24
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