Highlighting the top Super Bowl contenders as the 2023-24 NFL season is just about to begin.
The 2023-24 National Football League (NFL) season is just a few days away with many interesting storylines to watch as all teams are ultimately competing for the coveted Super Bowl trophy. Heading into week one of the new season, some teams have an edge over the others. Here are the top three Super Bowl contenders and their biggest keys to success which will prove integral if they want to be crowned champions in February.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (last season: 14 – 3 record)
The Philadelphia Eagles have unfinished business to take care of this season, having lost by three points to Kansas City in the Super Bowl last February.
The third-ranked offence in 2022 in points per game, is led by Pro Bowl quarterback Jalen Hurts and a strong offensive line, allowing Hurts the time and space to make accurate passes to his receivers.
One of Hurts’ favourite targets is A.J. Brown, who is destined to have another offensive outburst this season. The former Ole Miss Rebel was four receiving yards shy of 1,500 for the season and finished third in the league in receiving touchdowns, proving the importance of his contributions to team success.
The NFC Champions also hope to repeat the 2022 success that they had on defence having allowed the second fewest yards per game last season. A big reason for the defensive success is a result of linebacker Haason Reddick’s 16 total sacks, which was behind the 49ers’ Nick Bosa for the league lead.
The biggest question on defense is who can step up in place of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson who left for the Detroit Lions in the offseason. The 25-year-old was tied for first in the league in interceptions, leaving a hole in the team’s defence that head coach Nick Sirianni must fill in his absence.
2. San Fransisco 49ers (last season: 13 – 4 record)
The San Fransisco 49ers are hoping to play in the Super Bowl for the second time in four seasons with Pro Bowl-calibre players on both sides of the ball.
In 2022, the team’s defence ranked among the top contingent of teams in almost every statistical category. They allowed the fewest points per game and allowed the fewest yards per game, which is critical in preventing opponent’s from creating long, exacerbating drives that tire the defenders.
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa, leads the way with his league leading 18.5 sacks last season. The Ohio State Buckeye does a fantastic job rushing the quarterback and affecting their passing game, ultimately putting the Niners in a position to limit the opponent’s time of possession, allowing the offence more time on the field.
The offensive quintuple of George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Juszczyk and Christian McCaffrey provide a flurry of options for young quarterback Brock Purdy as he heads into his second NFL season.
An entire season of McCaffrey being in the offense, following his midseason trade from the Carolina Panthers last October, is another plus for the 49ers as more plays, schemes and practice time can allow for the chemistry of the offence to further strengthen as a unified group.
The Niners also have the seventh easiest schedule among the 32 teams in the league according to Pro Football Focus, presumably should further allow Purdy to become more comfortable in the league given that he has only played in nine regular season games in his career.
Nonetheless, the 49ers still need to play with their A-game as games against 2022 divisional champion Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinatti Bengals and the Philadelphia Eagles are going to be taxing for the 23-year-old quarterback and his team.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (last season: 14 – 3 record)
It should come as no surprise that the reigning Super Bowl Champions are the favourite to repeat as champions and continue their dynasty.
Super Bowl and regular season MVP Patrick Mahomes is the face of the league securing his second 5,000+ passing yard season in 2022, ahead of the Chargers’ Justin Herbert by over 500 yards.
The two-time Super Bowl MVP also led the league in passing touchdowns with 41 as his favourite receiver, tight end Travis Kelce, caught 12 of them. This was second most in the league.
Star running backs Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco will look to continue and surpass their impressive seasons a year ago, as creativity and versatility on offence is key if the Chiefs want to defend the throne as Super Bowl Champions.
The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 7th, as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions. The entire NFL schedule can be found here.