The NFL season is well underway, with teams battling their way for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. After just a few weeks, many fans are surprised with the results and may wonder who will reign champion. The season still has much ahead. Here are four teams to keep your eye on.
Kansas City Chiefs
The reigning champions are en route to potentially winning three Super Bowls in a row, making history as the first team to ever do so. The Chiefs hold a 5-0 record and remain one of only two undefeated teams thus far, with the other being the Minnesota Vikings. The Chiefs’ victories were by small margins, except for their recent matchup against the New Orleans Saints. In the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, the Chiefs secured the win after a Ravens touchdown was ruled out at the end of regulation. They also managed to just clinch a win against the struggling Cincinnati Bengals by a field goal late in the game. However, doubt is starting to set in on the team’s season as injuries are mounting up. Star players, including running back Isiah Pacheco and wide receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, are currently injured and their timelines for returning are likely lengthy. Despite the injuries, Patrick Mahomes is still one of the league’s best quarterbacks, if not the best, and can very well carry this team to success. One thing is for sure–never count out the reigning champs on their chase for the historic three-peat.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have a chip on their shoulder and are trying to return to the Super Bowl and win it all this time around. They have several big-name players on both sides of the field, and quarterback Brock Purdy has continued to play well throughout the first few weeks. The 49ers hold a 2-3 record, and once running back Christian McCaffrey returns from an Achilles tendon injury, the team has the potential to dominate their opponents. As Brock Purdy reaches the end of his rookie contract, this year might be the last year the 49ers can win a Super Bowl without making some difficult changes to the roster in the off-season. Recent struggles against the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals raise concerns, but a healthy team can very well return to and win the Superbowl this year.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens signed running back Derick “King” Henry to the offence, with whom they have caused significant problems for their opponents in their first five matches. Derick Henry had 151 rushing yards against the Dallas Cowboys and 199 yards against the Buffalo Bills, showcasing why he is the league’s best running back. The Ravens have a 3-2 record and can very well continue adding to their wins. The Ravens dominated in a fourth-game win against the Buffalo Bills, beating them 35-10, and lost in a close call against the Chiefs. In a nail-biting game five against the Bengals, the Ravens secured a close overtime victory. Last year’s most valuable player, Lamar Jackson, is continuing to put on a show by both throwing and running the ball well and is in the race for another MVP award. Posing challenges to some of the best teams in the league, the Ravens are on everyone’s radar.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills were overlooked as serious contenders for the Super Bowl during the pre-season. They currently have a 3-2 record, and both the offence and defence have performed well despite the many changes made to the team’s roster since last season. All-star wide receiver Stefon Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans, raising concerns for the offence’s productivity. On the other hand, the defence saw the departure of others, including Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White. In their 47-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bills showed their capabilities, and Josh Allen put on an impressive game by both throwing and running the ball well. The new offence has a fair distribution of targets to numerous receivers and an impressive run game from James Cook. However, there are concerns about how well the team will perform against tougher opponents after back-to-back losses against the Ravens and Texans. The Bills are in the running for potentially signing Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams—a trade which has the potential of creating a lethal offence. There is still a long season ahead, and with time, this new offence led by Josh Allen can prove they still are contenders in the league despite the recent challenges.
Very little football has been played in the eighteen-week season thus far and it is hard to make any bold predictions as to who will win this year’s Super Bowl. The league is more challenging than ever, but be sure to watch out for these teams as the season progresses.