Unsurprisingly, the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed following a dominant 15-win season. Having clinched their tenth consecutive playoff berth, the Chiefs now look to do one thing that has by no means been executed in NFL historical past by finishing a Tremendous Bowl three-peat. Nonetheless, profitable their third consecutive title shall be no small activity for Kansas Metropolis, as this 12 months’s playoff discipline is loaded with gifted groups wanting to knock off the defending champs. Let’s check out 5 playoff groups that pose the most important risk to thwart the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl three-peat bid.
Philadelphia Eagles
Regardless of not securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed, its laborious to argue towards the Eagles as one of the best staff within the convention (and NFL) this season. Defensively, Philly completed with the No.1 protection in yards allowed per recreation (278.4) and No. 2 scoring protection (17.8 PPG). The staff was particularly stingy within the secondary, permitting simply 174.2 passing yards per recreation, the lowest total in the NFL.
Behind the stellar play of MVP candidates Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, Philly was equally spectacular on offense. The bottom recreation was just about unstoppable, as Barkley was inside arm’s attain of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season speeding report. Moreover, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith continued to wreak havoc within the passing recreation. Coming into the postseason, the Eagles are arguably the most complete team within the NFL and the most important risk to the Chiefs’ three-peat bid.
Baltimore Ravens
Boasting arguably the league’s greatest backfield duo in Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Ravens should not be neglected on this 12 months’s playoff race. Baltimore completed with essentially the most whole yards (7,224) and had been the one staff to surpass 7,000 whole yards this season. In 12 months’s previous, the Ravens primarily relied upon their protection to hold them to victory. This 12 months, nonetheless, the Ravens’ electrical offense might be the driving pressure of a Lombardi trophy-clinching run in Baltimore. Fueled by a two-time MVP quarterback and generational operating again in Henry, Baltimore shall be a troublesome out for any playoff staff and will forestall the Chiefs from reaching the Tremendous Bowl solely ought to they cross paths.
Detroit Lions
After an enormous NFC Championship implosion final season, the Lions goal to proper some wrongs this postseason. Just like the Eagles and Ravens, Detroit boasts an elite offense that may rating in bunches. This season, Detroit recorded the third most 20+ yards performs (62) within the NFL. It stays to be seen if quarterback Jared Goff can ship when the highlight is on, however Detroit has confirmed itself as a legit title risk this season.
Minnesota Vikings
Few individuals anticipated the Vikings to thrive this season after shedding 2024 first-round draft decide J.J McCarthy to a torn meniscus previous to the common season. Because of the profession resurgence of signal-caller Sam Darnold, although, Minnesota finds itself within the hunt for a Tremendous Bowl title. Plus, with the league’s greatest receiver in Justin Jefferson, the Vikings are a viable darkish horse choice to punch their ticket to New Orleans.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams obtained off to a gradual begin this season, however caught hearth on the proper time to seize the NFC West crown. Ought to the gifted triumvirate of Cooper Kupp, Puka Nucua and Kyren Williams get rolling, it would not be shocking to see the Rams reel off a Tremendous Bowl run.
