The start of a new football season is an exciting time when everyone has an opinion on which team will do best. We already know that the Super Bowl LVII will take place on February 12 in Arizona, but which teams can we expect to see in with a chance of winning it?
The Los Angeles Rams
As the winner of the Super Bowl LVI, the Rams will be high on many people’s list of favorites to win the trophy again this year. They’ve made a few coaching changes for this new season, but time will tell whether it makes them stronger or not.
In terms of their roster, Troy Hill joined during the 2024 draft, together with A. J. Arcuri and Kyren Williams. Some players have left since that famous victory, but inspirational quarterback Matthew Stafford is still there to try and lead them on another charge to the Super Bowl. Any success should once again be built on a rock-solid defense.
Their season starts with a game against the Buffalo Bills, and according to the betting odds at William Hill, the odds of them winning the Super Bowl are +1000. The Rams are currently favorites to win the NFC West Division, while you can also bet on individual games or on wagers such as which player will score the most touchdowns or be the league’s most valuable player.
The Baltimore Ravens
The favorites to win the AFC North Division, the Baltimore Ravens had a strong 8-3 start last season but then collapsed in spectacular fashion. Six losses in a row made it an overall losing season and they didn’t make it to the postseason phase.
A series of injuries was one of the reasons for their disastrous end to last season, so strong recruitment was needed in the 2024 draft. The first round saw them pick up Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum, both of them should help to add some strength to their roster, as listed here on the NFL site, as well as depth.
It’s unlikely that they have such a run of bad luck with injuries again, so this season could be their chance to show what they can do. QB Lamar Jackson remains a key player for the Ravens, and their record of 8-9 from last season will surely improve if he can stay fit to lead them.
The Green Bay Packers
Regarded as the most likely team to win the NFC North Division, the Green Bay Packers have won this division each of the last three years. A 13-4 record had them in good shape before a shock loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round put an end to their postseason.
Linebacker Quay Walker was their main acquisition in the 2024 draft, with defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt also joining them in the first round. Overall, the changes to their roster have led to some analysts suggesting that we might see a tougher Packers grinding out wins this year.
Aaron Rodgers looks more settled this season, and after a couple of strong back-to-back seasons, he’ll be looking for only his second Super Bowl win. Certainly, his outstanding career record suggests that he shouldn’t be retiring with just one Super Bowl to his name.
According to the Packers website, his 2024 record included 37 TDs and 4115 yards.
The Buffalo Bills
A look at the AFC East Division suggests that the Buffalo Bills should come out ahead of the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins. An 11-6 record helped them clinch the division last season, for the second time in a row.
The Kansas City Chiefs stopped their progress in the divisional round the last time around, in a hugely dramatic game that went right to the wire. The mental impact of letting that game slip away could have a bearing on what happens this season, as they look to get it out of their system.
The addition of outside linebacker Von Miller could prove crucial. He helped the Rams to the Super Bowl last season before joining the Bills on a $120 million deal. Quarterback Josh Allen has become a genuine NFL star in the last couple of years, and he could be the key to a great season.
The Dallas Cowboys
Over in the NFC East Division, the Dallas Cowboys are rated above the Philadelphia Eagles and the re-branded Washington Commanders. The Cowboys had an excellent regular season, ending with a 12-5 record. However, they lost to the 49ers at the playoff stage.
Dante Fowler and James Washington are among their big signings for the new season, while offensive tackle Tyler Smith was their biggest pick in the draft. The roster has changed a lot, and that makes it difficult to predict their performance this season.
Critics suggested that their relatively low-cost new players might not make up for those they’ve lost, and this could seriously harm their chances of winning the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995.
The Cincinnati Bengals
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2024 NFL was how the Cincinnati Bengals got to the Super Bowl against the odds, so unsurprisingly it dominated the sports news. It was their first time in the sport’s showpiece occasion since 1988, and while they couldn’t bring the trophy home they still put in an excellent performance.
This time around, they’re behind the Ravens in the betting for the AFC North Division, but it would be the first time the franchise has made it to the Super Bowl two seasons in a row.
To do this, they’ve brought in players like Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, and La’el Collins on big salaries. Safety Daxton Hill joined in the draft, and the roster is looking pretty good.
Joe Burrow was their key player last year and the form of the quarterback will be hugely important again this season. The fact that he was so exposed and sacked so many times last year explains why they’ve gone in big with new linemen, and their success in protecting Burrow will largely determine how they get on.
