Following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, let’s take a deeper look into who the favorites are to make it to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.
Next season in the NFL will bring many questions, will there be a new team that finally overcomes a drought to make it to the Super Bowl? Are the Bengals going to try to get back to the Super Bowl again? Are the Chiefs ready to go to their third Super Bowl in four seasons? Let’s break down four potential teams that I think could be hoisting the Lombardi at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen has officially asserted himself atop the list of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Allen is surrounded by weapons like Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Dawson Knox that allow him to succeed. Buffalo also has the cap room to play with this offseason to potentially add a weapon like Leonard Fournette in the backfield.
On the other side of the ball, Buffalo will get back one of the best CBs in the league in Tre’Davious White who returns from a torn ACL suffered in November. Other than White, they still boast one of the best young defenses in the league that will keep them in a number of contests.
Currently, Buffalo has one of the best overall teams in the league. Playing in a young AFC East division where all three starting quarterbacks other than Allen are 23 years old or younger. Giving them an advantage in their division for years to come. The Bills should once again meet Kansas City in the playoffs this time playing for the AFC crown.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams could be an easy pick to win the NFC once again due to Tom Brady retiring and Aaron Rodgers potentially not returning to Green Bay. The winner of the NFC will more than likely come out of the loaded NFC West. A division that had three teams make the playoffs this past season and will likely return two or more squads next go-round.
Rams’ GM Les Snead has proven that he wants to win now, trading future draft capital for players such as Matthew Stafford and Jalen Ramsey. The offense is set up for success with Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, and Van Jefferson. They will also get back Robert Woods next season after he suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Odell Beckham Jr. is also a pending free agent this offseason, who said he would give L.A. a “hometown” discount in order to remain in the blue and gold for years to come.
Aaron Donald remains the biggest question mark on the Los Angeles defense. Donald said he would consider retiring if the Rams were to win Super Bowl LVI and his future with the Rams is still very much up in the air. But they still have one of the best CBs in the league in Jalen Ramsey, but they have several big names that become free agents this offseason such as Von Miller, Darious Williams, and Sebastian Joseph-Day.
Kansas City Chiefs
As of Sunday night following the conclusion of Super Bowl LVI, the Kansas City Chiefs have the best odds to win Super Bowl LVII currently sitting at 13-2 via Caesars Sportsbook. If the Chiefs do want to work on getting back to another Super Bowl they need to prioritize their big-name free agents this offseason.
Orlando Brown Jr. needs to be franchise tagged or signed to a contract season as he is a mainstay on the Chiefs offensive line. Other than Brown, Kansas City could go out and look to sign another weapon to pair with Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce on the loaded Chiefs offense. They will also need to figure out if OC Eric Bieniemy wants to stay in Kansas City or explore options elsewhere. If the job is open the Chiefs offensive coordinator opening could be a very sought-after job in the league.
Kansas City also has a ton of question marks surrounding their defense for next season. Team MVP Tyrann Mathieu is set to be a free agent and GM Brett Veach needs to weigh his options with exploring Mathieu’s future in KC. Midseason acquisition Melvin Ingram’s contract is also up and the Chiefs need as much defensive line help as they can get. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, eyes will be on the Chiefs the entire offseason.
San Francisco 49ers
Another team that was in the NFC Championship game this past season but came up just short. The San Francisco 49ers are another talented team top to bottom in the NFC. They will have to look hire a new offensive coordinator as former OC Mike McDaniel left to become the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
With Jimmy Garrapolo seemingly on his way out, Trey Lance will have the keys to the offense in 2022. This could be a high-risk, high reward for the Niners as Lance’s big-play ability will be better than Garrapolo’s game manager mentality. Deebo Samuel has proven to be one of the most dangerous duel threat weapons in the league right now and it will be fun to watch him play a full season with Lance and company.
San Fransico’s defense continues to disrupt high-powered offenses across the league. As they beat the eventual Super Bowl winners twice in the regular season, along with shutting down the high-powered Green Bay offense in the playoffs. Nick Bosa had 15.5 sacks last season and is continuing to blossom as a young defender in the league. There’s a good chance we have a repeat in the NFC Championship next season with two NFC West teams dueling it out.
