The wait for football fans is almost over, with the Eagles kicking off their championship defense against the Cowboys on Friday, Sep. 5.
Fans have been keeping a close eye on the preseason to see how their teams are shaping up, and sportsbooks are already determining which teams they think will succeed this year.
California sportsbooks currently have the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Kansas City Chiefs among the favorites for this season’s Super Bowl, but there isn’t much between the top ten teams according to experts. Our preview explores how these NFL teams should perform this year, based on their trades and preseason showings.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are hoping to break through after a series of early playoff exits despite having, arguably, the strongest roster in the NFL. They kick off their season against the Bills on Sep. 8, and head coach John Harbaugh will be hoping he can direct his team to glory this year.
Former two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is one of the league’s top quarterbacks and performed well last season alongside a strong running back in Derrick Henry. Jackson’s record of 41 passing touchdowns last season will be one he aims to beat this year, and if he remains in form, the Ravens will be in a very strong position for the Super Bowl.
Sportsbooks have the Ravens among the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Kansas City Chiefs at around 7/1 for Super Bowl glory this year. These odds will change rapidly as the weeks progress, with some teams dropping down the rankings and potential surprise packages emerging.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ opening against the Ravens has the potential to be the most important game of Week 1. They have been unlucky in recent years, with a dominant Kansas City Chiefs and star man Patrick Mahomes instrumental in their playoff exits over the last five seasons. Fans have waited patiently for a Super Bowl appearance, which this elite side deserves, and with last season’s MVP Josh Allen in their lineup, this could be their year.
The Bills have spent most of their money on strengthening their defense for this season, and if this clicks, Josh Allen’s scoring potential could drive them on.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles will be confident of defending their title and will go into this season with a strong and settled team.
Despite losing some of their successful defense, Jalen Carter will be a big player, and they shouldn’t suffer. QB Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley will be key to any success this year alongside a strong receiving corps in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have enjoyed a dominant spell in recent years, but history is against them this season, with only one team in the last 32 years returning to the Super Bowl the year after defeat. While records like this are there to be broken, their capitulation at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles will be more of a concern.
Patrick Mahomes still has the quality to drive the Chiefs forward, but his declining stats will have to be turned around if they are hopeful of turning the ship around. Mahomes will be boosted by the addition of offensive lineman Josh Simmons, a first-round pick in the draft, with Simmons having the skills to give him the protection he needs to prove a point to doubters this year.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have licked their wounds after an impressive season ended in playoff disappointment. 15 regular-season wins and an impressive 564 points (the fourth highest in NFL history) ended in defeat to the Washington Commanders. There is no doubt that the team has the quality, but the loss of offensive and defensive coordinators will hurt Dan Campbell’s plans.
Jahmyr Gibbs was a standout star last season, and the anticipated return of Aidan Hutchinson could give them the boost they need to take things further and into the Super Bowl.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners are priced at around double the favorites or a Super Bowl upset, and this seems fair given that they have lost some good players from their roster and struggled to replace them. If they are to put up a challenge, they will have to avoid the injuries that hampered their season last year.
The return of Christian McCaffrey from injury will play a massive part in any chance of a challenge after managing just four games last season.
Washington Commanders
If the Washington Commanders can keep up their massive improvement from 2023’s four wins to last season’s 12, they could be in with a shout. Jayden Daniels enjoyed a great rookie season at QB, and the Commanders were just one game away from the Super Bowl. Daniels was a rather unknown player last season, so we can expect teams to know a bit more about him this year and adjust accordingly.
Daniels will face a lot of pressure and responsibility, and this could prove too much for him and the Commanders this season, as teams know what they are up against.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers’ main issue last season was youth and inexperience. While they are still young, they possess one of the NFL’s top defenses after acquiring Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys last week.
Offensively, Josh Jacobs and Jordan Love will be the key players for the Packers this season. Rookie wideout Matthew Golden figures to add necessary speed and reduce the Packers’ putrid WR drop rate from last season.
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