Each fan base needs to see its staff in a Tremendous Bowl, however some fan bases would merely be glad with a successful season. (We’re watching you, New York Giants trustworthy.)
Forward of Sunday’s Tremendous Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox), Yardbarker NFL writers price the Tremendous Bowl angst of every NFC fan base on a scale of “1” (We’re good. We’re good.) to “5” (Sense of impending doom).
2024 regular-season data are in parentheses.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10) | Ranking: 5 | Dallas hasn’t performed in a Tremendous Bowl since SB XXX (1995 season), when the halftime act included Diana Ross and the typical value for a ticket was $275. Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones lately raised his fingers to make air quotes when describing the staff’s championship drought, however followers have one other digit they’d like to indicate him.
NEW YORK GIANTS (3-14) | Ranking: 3 | With no high quality beginning QB to guide an offense that scored the second-fewest points per game (16.1) throughout the 2024 common season, the Giants aren’t prone to attain the large sport any time quickly. However what number of anticipated QB Eli Manning to guide New York to a Tremendous Bowl title over Invoice Belichick’s undefeated Patriots throughout the 2007 season after which once more throughout the 2012 season?
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3) | Ranking: 1 | It has been seven years since Philadelphia upset New England in Tremendous Bowl LII and simply two years for the reason that staff misplaced to Kansas Metropolis in Tremendous Bowl LVII. Even in defeat, Eagles followers noticed a record-breaking efficiency from QB Jalen Hurts in that sport, and after a near-record-setting season from operating again Saquon Barkley, the staff has little to fret about past three-time Tremendous Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes on Sunday.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (12-5) | Ranking: 2 | It’s almost inconceivable to win a championship and not using a franchise QB, and Washington narrowly missed this season’s Tremendous Bowl with rookie QB Jayden Daniels, who led the staff to its first NFC Championship Sport for the reason that 1991 season. After watching the Commanders common 19.7 factors per sport underneath Ron Rivera, followers ought to be thrilled to see the team score 28.5 points per contest in 2024, the fifth-best mark within the NFL. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-9) | Ranking: 4 | The Cardinals are one of many 12 groups within the NFL that has by no means skilled the enjoyment of successful a Tremendous Bowl. Arizona has not even been to at least one for the reason that 2008 season, when the staff misplaced to the Steelers in SB XLIII. The Cardinals are caught in a rebuild, so a Tremendous Bowl look appears a good distance off.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7) | Ranking: 2 | When your staff wins a Tremendous Bowl, because the Rams did throughout the 2022 season, that ought to give your franchise at the least a five-year grace interval earlier than you begin to get mad about your staff not successful one other one.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-11) | Ranking: 5 | The 49ers have made three Tremendous Bowls since 2013, however they haven’t gained one for the reason that 1994 season. These shut calls are infuriating for Niners followers, particularly contemplating how shut the staff has come lately and the way proficient the roster has been throughout HC Kyle Shanahan’s period.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-7) | Ranking: 3 | The Seahawks are a decade faraway from their back-to-back Tremendous Bowl appearances (and first championship) throughout the Russell Wilson period, so the fandom is beginning to attain that angsty part. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (5-12) | Ranking: 4 | Chicago’s lone Tremendous Bowl victory got here in 1985, and it has reached the SB solely as soon as since then (2006 season). The Bears are extra targeted on simply making the postseason contemplating they’ve simply two playoff appearances previously 14 years, however QB Caleb Williams and HC Ben Johnson is likely to be the duo that may make it occur.
DETROIT LIONS (15-2) | Ranking: 5 | The Lions are one of many 4 NFL franchises with no Tremendous Bowl appearances of their historical past, which is why it was so heartbreaking for Detroit followers to observe their 15-2 squad fizzle out within the divisional spherical towards Washington this season. HC Dan Campbell would change into an immediate Motor Metropolis legend if he leads the Lions someplace nobody has earlier than.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6) | Ranking: 2 | The Packers, with their 4 Tremendous Bowl wins, have 80 p.c of the Tremendous Bowl rings within the NFC North. Though Inexperienced Bay hasn’t gained a SB title for the reason that 2010 season, it’s arduous to really feel unhealthy for a franchise with a lot playoff success.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-3) | Ranking: 5 | Minnesota’s playoff historical past is one crammed with heartbreak, because the franchise has reached the postseason 32 occasions and the Tremendous Bowl 4 occasions with no championships to indicate for it. Vikings followers are ravenous for a title, however the staff has allow them to down time and time once more. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9) | Ranking: 5 | The Falcons may by no means stay down their Tremendous Bowl LI collapse towards the New England Patriots, after they blew a 28-3 lead, however lastly successful a championship can be a begin. And for a franchise that hasn’t reached the playoffs for the reason that 2017 season (and has suffered seven consecutive dropping seasons), endurance is operating skinny for Falcons trustworthy.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-12) | Ranking: 3 | Proprietor David Tepper is the supply of many of the followers’ angst. Below his possession, which started in 2018, the Panthers have been one of many league’s worst franchises, far faraway from the Tremendous Bowl dialog.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-12) | Ranking: 4 | The “Minneapolis Miracle” and “NOLA No Call” are etched into the psyches of Saints followers, and contemplating the staff’s downward development in current seasons, it can probably be awhile earlier than New Orleans makes new, higher playoff reminiscences. That’s of little solace to Saints followers who’ve watched GM Mickey Loomis cling to the final vestiges of the staff’s 2009 championship peak on the expense of the long run.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-7) | Ranking: 1 | The Bucs are the latest Tremendous Bowl champions within the NFC South, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy following the 2020 season. With that triumph nonetheless recent on the minds of Bucs followers, they don’t have a lot to complain about coming into the offseason. — Eric Smithling
