By Marvin Moore October 19 2023
The road to Super Bowl LVIII in February is paved with more than a few potholes. However, less than 10 NFL teams remain legitimate contenders for the Vince Lombardi Trophy after six weeks of action. Parity is a foreign word in America’s favorite professional sports league.
The San Francisco 49ers were anointed the likely Super Bowl winner by so-called football experts after dismantling the Dallas Cowboys in a primetime matchup. But one week later, a Cleveland Browns squad, minus their franchise quarterback, dealt the 49ers a stunning loss. Suddenly, the race to the Nevada was a wide-open affair again.
The reigning NFL champion Kansas City Chiefs have won five of six games and boast a defense that has allowed the league’s third-fewest points. As long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy, the seven-time defending AFC West titleholder is a good bet to reach its fourth Super Bowl in five years.
Despite not being as dominant as a year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles have rolled to five victories in six outings. Dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts continues to evolve into one of the league’s top playmakers, and the rich got richer when defensive stud Jalen Carter fell into the Eagles’ lap during this year’s draft. I doubt anyone would be surprised if the Chiefs and Eagles butted heads again early next year at Allegiant Stadium.
The Miami Dolphins sports the league’s most explosive offense and compete in the rugged AFC East, which also features two of the NFL’s top defensive units. If Tua Tagovailoa & Co. can topple the Bills for the division crown, I’ll jump on the Dolphins bandwagon. Defense used to win championships, but nowadays, a top-notch offense separates the contenders from the pretenders.
The Cowboys have been left for dead after their pitiful showing against the 49ers. But history has proven that NFL titles are never won or lost in October. Dallas is a highly talented team that remains a serious contender. I still have my doubts about Dak Prescott. But unless injuries wreck the Cowboys’ Doomsday defense, I’ll take America’s Team in a rematch with San Francisco in the playoffs.
I like the Buffalo Bills. I really, really do. However, I’m not a big fan of Josh Allen. There is no denying that the former Wyoming standout has all the tools to lead his team to a Super Bowl crown. But great quarterbacks do not turn into ordinary signal-callers in big games. Buffalo has a championship-caliber squad. The only question is if Allen can deliver when it counts the most.
While the 49ers had their bubble burst in Week 6, the Bay area gladiators remain the favorite to win their first conference championship since 2019. But I still feel that Christian McCaffrey’s body will break down before the postseason begins and that Brock Purdy will be exposed as the next Mac Jones. Kyle Shanahan is an offensive coordinator masquerading as a head coach. The guy manages players like Jerry Jones manages his adult beverages.
A Cinderella squad, the Jacksonville Jaguars have won four straight games. Trevor Lawrence is quietly developing into a franchise quarterback and has an ample supply of weapons to make some noise in the
playoffs. Perhaps the Jaguars need another year of playoff seasoning to compete with the big boys? Maybe not.
The Detroit Lions have shed their “loveable losers” tag and are dangerous at Ford Field. But Jared Goff is not the type of quarterback that can knock off the elite defenses that reside in Philly, San Fran, and Big D. Unfortunately for Lions’ fans, it’s sad but true.
One team that is flying under the radar is the Baltimore Ravens. Championship teams are a work in progress and peak at the right time of the year. Lamar Jackson remains a high-end playmaker, and the Ravens have a solid defense. If Jackson can stay healthy down the stretch, I like Baltimore’s chances against the Chiefs, Bills, or Dolphins.
It’s impossible to forecast in the fall which teams have the best shot at winning next year’s Super Bowl. But it’s a smart bet that only nine teams will be in the race to win it all once the postseason gets underway. Unfortunately, for most NFL fans, it’s sad but true.
