The NFL’s street to Las Vegas begins Thursday evening when the Chiefs host the Detroit Lions after their newest championship banner is published prime above Arrowhead Stadium.
No group has gained back-to-back Super Bowls since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots did it in 2003-04. Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided Mahomes and the Chiefs from successful two in a row 3 years in the past.
“It’s always great to win with a lot of young guys, but now these young guys have to deal with success,” Mahomes stated. “We had a little bit of experience with it a couple years ago, and I think what we learned from that is you have to stay hungry the entire year and I want to preach that to these young guys and tell them to take that next step. We have to be better this year if we want to go back and win that Super Bowl again.”
The AFC is loaded with contenders. Mahomes and the Chiefs are used to scuffling with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals and Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Now, Aaron Rodgers has joined the convention with the New York Jets.
The NFC’s most sensible 3 groups determine to stick the similar as remaining season. The Philadelphia Eagles fell simply brief in opposition to the Chiefs and intention to go back and hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy this time. The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys must give Philly a run for the convention identify.
NFC EAST: No group has repeated in this department because the Eagles gained 4 titles in a row from 2001-04. Jalen Hurts had a breakout yr, in brief turned into the richest participant in NFL historical past and is decided to steer the Eagles to a championship. They’ve were given two new coordinators and misplaced some skill on protection, however the roster is loaded. Philly controlled to keep away from main accidents remaining season and had all its starters for the Super Bowl. It’s tough to stick that wholesome two years in a row. Cowboys trainer Mike McCarthy and QB Dak Prescott are underneath force to ship Jerry Jones a hoop. The additions of CB Stephon Gilmore and WR Brandin Cooks are a significant spice up. The New York Giants paid Daniel Jones elite-QB cash once they went to the playoffs, however they may take a step again this season. The Washington Commanders have new house owners and a brand new QB however they simply aren’t able.
1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Commanders
NFC NORTH: The Minnesota Vikings gained 13 video games remaining season however flopped in the playoffs. Kirk Cousins nonetheless hasn’t confirmed he can win the largest video games. Jared Goff has revived his profession in Detroit and there’s a ton of hype surrounding the Lions. They’ve were given a skilled offense. however protection used to be the issue remaining yr. If their protection is simply mediocre this season, the offense will ranking sufficient issues to win quite a few video games. There’s a brand new generation in Green Bay with out Rodgers. The Chicago Bears have explanation why for hope and pleasure with Justin Fields getting into his 3rd yr.
1. Lions
2. Vikings
3. Bears
4. Packers
NFC SOUTH: Baker Mayfield changed Brady in Tampa Bay the place expectancies went from Super Bowl to none. The Bucs nonetheless have skill round Mayfield and a powerful protection. Derek Carr has a brand new in house New Orleans. The Saints have a stingy protection led via Demario Davis, Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore so if Carr will get the offense going, they’re the group to overcome. With trainer Frank Reich and rookie No. 1 pick out Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers may marvel. Atlanta grew to become it over to second-year QB Desmond Ridder and drafted most sensible RB Bijan Robinson. A group with a dropping document may win this department for the second one directly yr.
1. Saints
2. Buccaneers
3. Panthers
4. Falcons
NFC WEST: The 49ers have a wholesome Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey for a complete season and a dominant protection that’s nonetheless lacking Nick Bosa. The Seattle Seahawks had been a marvel group remaining yr as Geno Smith made positive no one neglected Russell Wilson. They added playmakers on offense and strengthened the protection however there’s nonetheless a large hole between Seattle and San Francisco. The Los Angeles Rams nonetheless have Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp however they’re rebuilding after a dreadful season following a Super Bowl identify. The Arizona Cardinals are taking part in for the No. 1 general pick out in 2024.
1. 49ers
2. Seahawks
3. Rams
4. Cardinals
AFC EAST: Rodgers’ arrival in New York makes a difficult department much more aggressive. The Jets added Dalvin Cook to a loaded backfield with the returning Breece Hall. Quinnen Williams leads one of the crucial most sensible d-lines and CB Sauce Gardner anchors the secondary. There’s force in Buffalo on Allen and the Bills to head deeper into the postseason. If they may be able to keep wholesome, they’ve were given a productive offense and cast protection to make a run. The Dolphins want Tua Tagovailoa to keep away from accidents so he can get the ball to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio might be Miami’s best possible offseason addition with CB Jalen Ramsey beginning the season at the sideline. Bill Belichick hasn’t gained a playoff sport since Brady left 3 years in the past. The Patriots may have a troublesome time keeping off the basement.
1. Jets
2. Bills
3. Dolphins
4. Patriots
AFC NORTH: Another loaded department led via Burrow and the Bengals. Their offense is stacked. Defense wishes to conquer dropping a couple of standout safeties. Lamar Jackson were given paid and the Ravens gave him Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers. Now he has to ship in the playoffs. Mike Tomlin makes positive the Steelers are all the time in competition, even with a rookie QB in 2022. If Kenny Pickett makes a large soar in Year 2, glance out for Pittsburgh. The Browns are banking on Deshaun Watson to turn out he used to be value an enormous gamble. In the cruel North, they may end remaining with a successful document.
1. Bengals
2. Ravens
3. Steelers
4. Browns
AFC SOUTH: Doug Pederson temporarily grew to become the Jaguars right into a playoff winner, serving to Trevor Lawrence carry his sport in his moment season. The offense will ranking issues however the protection must step as much as put Jacksonville in the championship combine. Injuries helped derail Tennessee remaining yr and Ryan Tannehill has lots to turn out. Even with De’Andre Hopkins, the Titans’ most suitable option is giving the ball to Derrick Henry. The Indianapolis Colts are a large number however rookie QB Anthony Richardson must be amusing to observe. There’s explanation why for pleasure in Houston with new trainer DeMeco Ryans, rookie QB C.J. Stroud and rookie edge Will Anderson.
1. Jaguars
2. Titans
3. Texans
4. Colts
AFC WEST: The Chiefs have owned the department underneath Andy Reid, successful seven directly titles. Mahomes and Co. know the way tough it’s to copy and there’s questions at large receiver and on protection. Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers glance to dance again after a playoff cave in. They’re nonetheless ready on defensive-minded head trainer Brandon Staley to reinforce that unit. Russell Wilson’s first season in Denver used to be a crisis. Sean Payton must get him again on course however the playoff drought must proceed. All Jimmy Garoppolo does is win till now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
1. Chiefs
2. Chargers
3. Broncos
4. Raiders
NFC department winners: Cowboys, Lions, Saints, 49ers
NFC wild-card groups: Eagles, Vikings, Seahawks
NFC championship: Cowboys over 49ers
AFC department winners: Jets, Bengals, Jaguars, Chiefs
AFC wild-card groups: Bills, Ravens, Chargers
AFC championship: Bengals over Jets
Super Bowl: Bengals over Cowboys
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