Breaking down the top 10 dark horse NFL Super Bowl contenders for the 2024-25 season. Make sure to drop your comments and feedback in the comment section.
No. 10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the surprise teams to reach the NFL playoffs last season. They even beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round, but were then sent packing in the Divisional. The Bucs are running it back with Baker Mayfield under center after signing both he and star wide receiver Mike Evans to extensions this offseason. If their defense continues to develop, playing in a lowly NFC South, the Buccaneers could be a sneaky team come playoff time.
No. 9: Chicago Bears
What a story it would be for a rookie quarterback to step in and immediately lead the Chicago Bears to the Promise Land. It’s unlikely, but not impossible with Caleb Williams under center. The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft has received comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Kyler Murray, and many other all-time great quarterbacks. The former Heisman Trophy winner is a truly special talent, and he could have a special rookie season with a Bears roster that loaded up on talent in the offseason.
No. 8: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons finally have hope under center again for the first time since Matt Ryan’s retirement. They gave Kirk Cousins the bag in free agency this offseason, elevating the team’s floor by a tremendous level. Cousins’ career postseason success is minimal, but maybe he and the Falcons can get hot with a talented group of playmakers around him, making big plays in a subpar NFC South division.
No. 7: Jacksonville Jaguars
Fans are waiting for Trevor Lawrence to finally live up to the hype. He’s been good, even really good at times, and did enough to earn a massive extension this offseason. But has he been as good as people expected him to be? Not quite, but it’s not too late for him to reach his potential. In fact, this season, with added talent on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster, and a Super Bowl-winning head coach at the helm, Lawrence has a chance to deliver a special season to Florida.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns’ defense is among the best in the NFL. Their secondary is loaded with talent and Myles Garrett is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. Their offense is the question, but if QB Deshaun Watson can start to produce some answers, the Browns can be a scary team late in the season.
No. 5: Miami Dolphins
Fans are down on the Miami Dolphins after a flat finish to the 2023-24 season. They were in the driver’s seat to win the AFC East for much of the year, then fell off late in the year, blew their chance to win the division, and got bounced in the Wild Card round. Now people are sleeping on the. But despite all those problems, the Dolphins should still be viewed as one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams. They have playmakers galore, an elite defense (that will be getting its best pass-rushers back from injury late in the year, just in time for the postseason), one of the best rushing attacks in the league, and a quarterback who dominates in the regular season. But can he start stacking wins in the playoffs?
No. 4: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were a shocker last year that went deeper in the postseason than anyone initially imagined. But the emergence of QB Jordan Love resulted in an excellent campaign — and that was only his first season as a starter. Love could be even better in year two, making Green Bay contenders. And after adding Josh Jacobs to their backfield, the Packers’ offense could be championship-caliber this season.
No. 3: Los Angeles Rams
Championship pedigree. A top-notch quarterback. A solid defensive lineup. One of the best head coaches in the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams have all the essential pieces of a championship-caliber team. Yet, they receive little to no buzz as Super Bowl contenders. Their offense is filled with playmakers and their defense doesn’t have many holes. They play in a competitive NFC West, which will likely be won by the San Fransico 49ers. But as a Wild Card team, few can be considered as dangerous as the Rams. They could be dangerous in January.
No. 2: Los Angeles Chargers
This could be the year that all the “ifs” surrounding Justin Herbert finally come true. He now has a head coach with a championship pedigree in Jim Harbaugh and a roster that has solid talent on the defensive side of the ball. Herbert will need to be the engine of the offense this season, but he’s shown many times that he is more than capable of willing his team to victory when he needs to. But now, with a great head coach leading the team, J-Herbo shouldn’t have to carry the team as often, and they can play a more complete style of football come playoff time.
No. 1: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have been the punchline in countless jokes for their lack of success in the playoffs this century. Dak Prescott was the MVP runner-up last year, yet Dallas still isn’t sure if they want to pay him. Yeah, that man is going to play with a chip on his shoulder this season. But that chip won’t shatter until Prescott proves he can win in big moments. With CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, and Zack Martin, among others, also on this roster, Prescott and The Boys might finally end the Super Bowl drought this season.