The NFL season may have only just passed the midpoint, but we’ve already had enough shocks, surprises and talking points to last a whole season. Green Bay and current super bowl champions, LA Rams, probably want the season to end already, while the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings have surprised everybody by losing only one of their first 9 games.
If that wasn’t enough, just when you thought Tom Brady should have stayed retired and Tampa were a busted flush, they put themselves back in the picture with a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Germany. We also saw the first day in NFL history where three teams entered the fourth quarter trailing by double digits – and still won the game!
The latest NFL futures show how hard it is to choose a Super Bowl winner this year, with the Bills, Chiefs, Eagles, Vikings, Cowboys, Dolphins, and 49ers, all looking to be in the mix come February 12th. But here’s our pick of the teams we think will be contending Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are surprise Super Bowl contenders this season despite an unexpected week 10 loss to the Washington Commanders. Philadelphia last won the Super Bowl back in 2017, and they’ve made the playoffs three times since then. But this Philadelphia team feels more like the complete package than ever before, with an offense that can beat a defense in seemingly multiple ways.
Stand Out Player: Jalen Hurts
One of leading candidates for MVP, Hurts was third in the NFL in points per game (28.1) and third in yards per game (391) at the midpoint of the season. Still only 24 years of age, Hurts is finally showing what he can do on a consistent basis.
After nine weeks of the season, the Eagles QB was responsible for 18 touchdowns and only 3 turnovers. Not only that, he was second in the NFL in passer rating and rushes for more than 40 yards per game on the ground. This Philadelphia team wouldn’t be where they are now without Hurts.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are without doubt, one of the best all-round teams in the NFL, and with QB Josh Allen pulling the strings, they remain hot favorites for this year’s Super Bowl, despite a disappointing week 10 loss to the Vikings. Everybody knows they’re 0-4 at the Super Bowl, but this team looks determined to rewrite history, and the addition of Von Miller has significantly upgraded the defense.
Stand Out Player: Josh Allen
One of the big contenders for MVP, the Bills QB must take a lot of the plaudits for the way the Bills have played this season, carrying his offense to some impressive victories. His strength and speed make it difficult for defenses to deal with him. Allen accounted for 21 of the Bills’ 23 offensive touchdowns at the start of the season, and he’s the big reason they’re Super Bowl favorites.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs may have lost Tyreek Hill, but at midpoint of the season they are still second in the league for total yards per game, first in passing yards per game, and first for points per game. Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid know what it takes to win a Super Bowl and they’ll need to draw on that experience again to make it all the way. But with their star QB looking like an MVP contender, you can’t rule out Kansas making it Super Bowl number 3.
Stand out Player: Patrick Mahomes
He’s lost his partner in crime, Tyreek Hill, but the Chiefs QB continues to drive his team forward, and bring out the best in the players around him. That’s what an MVP does and Mahomes, who led the league in passing touchdown at the half way point, is the leading candidate to win the award.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made it to an impressive 8-1 record with a superb 33-30 victory over Super Bowl favourites, the Buffalo Bills in New York. Defeating the Bills on their home field and against MVP contender Josh Allen, rightly puts the Vikings into the Super Bowl conversation.
Scoring 33 points against the number one ranked team sets down a marker to the rest of the NFL, and gives Minnesota the confidence and belief, that they can beat the best. QB Kirk Cousins, Christian Darrisaw, Danielle Hunter, Za’Darius Smith and Justin Jefferson are all on fire and
Stand Out Player: Justin Jefferson
He may have only spent two seasons in the league, but wide receiver Jefferson’s talent is proving too hot to handle for league defenses. He achieved 654 receiving yards from his first six games this season, behind only Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs.
The win against the Bills also saw Jefferson create a new record, with 193-yard performance marking his 20th game with 100+ Recieving Yards in his first 3 seasons, passing Randy Moss and Odell Beckham.
This season has already proven that the NFL is harder to predict than ever before. Can the Vikings continue to surprise everyone, or will the Ravens, Tampa, Dolphins and 49ers come strong in the second half of the season and make a run to the Super Bowl. Whatever happens, it promises to be the one of the closest and most exciting NFL seasons ever.
