RADIO
Super LVIII got off to a slow start but ended up being an excellent game. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in only the second ever Super Bowl to go into overtime.
Much will change over the next several months during the offseason, including free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. More importantly, the 2024 regular season has to happen before we determine who plays in the Super Bowl next year.
However, let’s look at the top seven contenders to win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
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Kansas City Chiefs
The back-to-back Super Bowl champions must be at the top of the list. Kansas City won Super Bowl LVIII despite having a “down year.” Patrick Mahomes is the top quarterback in the NFL, even if the numbers don’t back it. With Travis Kelce and Andy Reid back in 2024, Kansas City’s offense should remain one of the top in the NFL. However, adding a wide receiver to pair with Rashee Rice is needed.
THE CHIEFS ARE BACK-TO-BACK SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/ZzfhTyUXg9
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
While the offense played well enough to win the Super Bowl, the Chiefs defense was their strong unit in 2023. Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed were their top two players on defense. Unfortunately, both are free agents next month. Kansas City must re-sign both players if they want to have the three-peat they promised everyone during the parade. If the team can keep their two superstar players this offseason, the Chiefs might have the top defense in the NFL next year.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco came just short of winning Super Bowl LVIII. They had a double-digit lead over the Kansas City Chiefs. While that is unfortunate, the 49ers are arguably the top team in the NFL. They ranked third in points per game (28.9) and points surrendered per contest (17.5) during the regular season. San Francisco had the second-best record in the NFL behind the Baltimore Ravens, earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Despite failing to come away with the Lombardi Trophy this year, the 49ers could easily win it all next season. Brock Purdy should get better in his second year as the full-time starter. Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle make up the top set of weapons in the NFL. All four star players should return in 2024. While Dre Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles during the Super Bowl, San Francisco's defense remains one of the best in the league.
Buffalo Bills
Every year, it seems like the Bills could win it all, only to fall short in the second round of the playoffs. Josh Allen is the second-best quarterback in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes. The superstar is the heart and soul of Buffalo’s offense, both in the air and on the ground. He has accounted for 173 passing and rushing touchdowns since 2020, the most in the league. Last year, Allen finished fifth in passing touchdowns (29) and second in rushing scores (15).
Josh Allen is a touchdown machine 🤖 pic.twitter.com/jRSo3pJExz
— PFF (@PFF) February 16, 2024
The Bills have work to do at the wide receiver position. Gabe Davis is a free agent, while Stefon Diggs turned 30 in November and his future with the team is up in the air. However, Buffalo will figure it out. Defensively, the team played well despite dealing with numerous injuries all year. They had four players total 6.5 or more sacks in 2023. Emerging star Ed Oliver had a career-high 9.5 sacks last season. He should only get better coming off a career year.
Baltimore Ravens
Many questioned the Ravens’ decision to abandon the rushing attack during the AFC Championship Game. The run game is Baltimore’s identity on offense, as no one could stop them during the regular season. Lamar Jackson won the NFL MVP award in 2023 for the second time in five years as the starting quarterback. The Ravens must add to his receiving corps and improve their running back situation in the offseason. Yet, Jackson should command one of the top offenses again in 2024.
While the offense was impressive, Baltimore’s calling card is their defense. Despite losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, the Ravens will continue to have an elite unit next year. The team surrendered only 16.5 points per game during the 2023 regular season, the fewest in the NFL. Three players had nine or more sacks last year, led by Justin Madubuike with a career-high 13. Baltimore must re-sign the emerging star defensive lineman this offseason.
Detroit Lions
Detroit was a popular team to make the playoffs last season after almost getting into the postseason in 2022. However, few expected the team to come within one half of reaching the Super Bowl. Furthermore, no one thought offensive coordinator Ben Johnson would return this offseason after being the hottest head-coaching candidate. Thankfully, that means the Lions should keep their explosive attack rolling heading into next year, as every critical member of the offense will return.
Unfortunately, Detroit’s defense still needs work. Aidan Hutchinson turned into a superstar in his second NFL season. The former Michigan star had 11.5 sacks during the regular season, the 12th-most in the league, accounting for 28.1% of the team’s total. Furthermore, he had three sacks during the playoffs, including a massive one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions can make the Super Bowl next year if they improve their defense.
HUTCH UNTOUCHED.
📺: #TBvsDET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/frRD38ClOq pic.twitter.com/PFlhuKKJ5X— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
Cincinnati Bengals
No one had a more frustrating 2023 season than the Bengals. After making it to the Super Bowl in 2021 and the AFC Championship Game in 2022, Cincinnati expected to bring home the Lombardi Trophy this year. Unfortunately, injuries crushed the team’s offense. Joe Burrow started the year dealing with a calf injury he suffered early in training camp. His season was over in Week 11 after he suffered a torn ligament in his wrist.
Despite losing their franchise quarterback, the Bengals nearly made the playoffs with Jake Browning under center. The team has a few critical free agents this offseason, including star wide receiver Tee Higgins. However, he will reportedly receive the franchise tag in the next few weeks. Cincinnati’s defense had some issues, but can be an elite unit when healthy. Don’t be surprised if Burrow wins the MVP award next year and takes the Bengals back to the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were almost Super Bowl champions two years ago, losing 38-35 to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. They started the 2023 season on fire, winning 10 of their first 11 games. Philadelphia had an impressive five-game win streak during that span, defeating four playoff teams -- the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills. Jalen Hurts was an MVP candidate, and the Eagles appeared on their way to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
Yet, everything went downhill from there. Philadelphia lost five of their final six games, with the lone win coming over the New York Giants. The Eagles lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by 23. While last year was a massive bust, fans should have high hopes for next season. Hurts is still one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, totaling the second- most scrimmage touchdowns over the past two years. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Philadelphia returns to the Super Bowl next season.
Most total touchdowns since 2022:
34 — Christian McCaffrey
28 — Jalen Hurts
21 — Raheem Mostert
25 — Derrick Henry pic.twitter.com/Fi3Qaxnz4f— StatMuse NFL (@statmusenfl) February 13, 2024
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