Graphic by Teddy Ricketson at The Sporting News
The Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles has arrived. This year’s Super Bowl has a chance for history to be made or for a redemption story. However, before the Super Bowl arrives, two other teams sought to compete in that same game. This is a list of the four teams that had the best chances of winning the Super Bowl.
The odds for the final teams to win the Super Bowl:
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs fall in the best odds to win the Super Bowl. They have the best record in the American Conference League (AFC). However, their offense has not been as explosive as people had anticipated. Their offense is 17th in the league in total yards per game (327.6), 15th in the league in points per game (22.6) and 14th in the league in passing yards per game (222.4). Even though they have the best record, their offense has struggled as of late to get the passing game going with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Additionally, their rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy has shown flashes but has not consistently performed with only 638 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Even Hall of Fame caliber tight end Travis Kelce had his worst season in receiving yards since his rookie year, 2014. The defense has been the bright spot, being ninth in the league in total yards allowed per game (320.6) and fourth in the league in points allowed per game (19.2). Despite the low performance, the Chiefs are still a viable team for winning the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles have been an interesting team to watch over the regular season, with 14 wins and three losses. They are eighth in the league in total yards per game (367.2) and seventh in points per game (27.2). Meanwhile, their defense is first with the fewest yards allowed per game (278.4) and second with the fewest points allowed per game (17.8). Their quarterback, Jalen Hurts, has shown that he is in the top 10 at his position, and wide receiver AJ Brown had a solid year but has shown bumps in the regular season. Additionally, their superstar running back Saquon Barkley also paved a way for this team, with a fantastic year of 2,005 rushing yards, almost breaking Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson’s single rushing record and 13 touchdowns. The Eagles are still an excellent team with veterans and rookies showcasing their talent to win the Super Bowl.
The 2 teams that ultimately didn’t make it:
Buffalo Bills: The Bills were expected to be one of the worst teams due to players leaving in free agency, but they have surprised everyone by making the playoffs with a record of 13-4. Their MVP-caliber quarterback, Josh Allen, has contributed much to the team’s offense. Their offense is eighth in the league in passing yards per game (227) and second in the league in points scored per game (30.9), showcasing Josh Allen’s ability to score. Their defense is third in the league in turnovers (32) and has shown how talented they can be when they’re fully healthy. Unfortunately they ultimately lost to the Chiefs in the Conference Round, but the Bills have shown that they are a top team in the NFL. With more additions to the defense, this team has a better shot to make the Super Bowl in the future.
Washington Commanders: The Commanders showcased elite skill and poise in the regular season with a record of 12-5. Their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, has exceeded expectations and has led this team to the playoffs. They won their first playoff game since 2005 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their offense is well-skilled, being seventh in the league in total yards per game (369). Their defense, led by Hall of Fame candidate Bobby Wagner, exceeded expectations and was solid throughout the year. They did unfortunately lose to the Eagles in the Conference Round, but nevertheless this team has shown that with a little more time, they can hoist the Lombardi trophy.
“I wanted the Bills to win the Super Bowl because it would be an interesting win,” senior Taylor Barton said.
These teams have shown why they earned a spot in the playoffs, and this will be an interesting Super Bowl. Only time will tell if there will be a repeat Super Bowl Champion or a new reigning Super Bowl Champion.
