Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and operating again Derrick Henry (22) put on Santa coats whereas being interviewed by Netflix host Jamie Erdahl after the sport towards the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Troy Taormina-Imagn Pictures Kansas Metropolis and Philadelphia meet within the Tremendous Bowl for the second time in three seasons on Sunday, and it’s cheap to imagine these groups may face off a number of extra occasions on the sport’s greatest stage within the coming years.
However earlier than you pencil in one other Chiefs-Eagles conflict for 2026, let’s have a look at three different groups that would win all of it subsequent February.
Baltimore Ravens
A 3rd Lombardi in Baltimore’s trophy case is lengthy overdue.
The Ravens have routinely performed championship-caliber soccer throughout the previous couple of common seasons solely to be undone by expensive turnovers and uncharacteristic lapses within the playoffs.
It’s protected to imagine Baltimore will return to the postseason in 2025, as there aren’t many weak hyperlinks in a Ravens roster that ought to retain all of its league-leading 9 Professional Bowlers from a yr in the past.
All-Professional quarterback Lamar Jackson and 1,900-yard rusher Derrick Henry will once more spearhead Baltimore’s explosive offense, which final yr turned the primary staff ever to tally 4,000 passing yards and three,000 speeding yards in a season.
The Ravens’ protection is healthier positioned for a strong marketing campaign after enduring some rising pains beneath first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Baltimore boasted the league’s high scoring protection through the closing eight weeks of the common season and will stay stout all through 2025.
The Ravens have sufficient expertise on each side of the ball to beat anybody, however can they lastly keep away from beating themselves when it issues most?
Detroit Lions
Nov 10, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes an attempt a cross through the first quarter towards the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Troy Taormina-Imagn Pictures Most of Detroit’s key new faces will likely be donning headsets as an alternative of helmets subsequent season.
After each Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn accepted head teaching positions elsewhere, the Lions will attempt to construct on final yr’s 15-win marketing campaign with a brand new offensive coordinator in John Morton and a contemporary defensive coordinator in Kelvin Sheppard.
Each promotees inherit a unit that ought to welcome again its high weapons.
Morton will work with quarterback Jared Goff and All-Professional receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to drive an offense that led the NFL with a franchise report of 564 factors final yr. Sheppard ought to profit from the return of star lineman Aidan Hutchinson (damaged leg), and he’ll take over a protection that completed seventh in factors allowed per recreation regardless of its rash of accidents.
Nonetheless, Detroit’s destiny in 2025 will largely hinge on Sheppard’s squad. It’s honest to chalk among the Lions’ struggles final season to accidents, but when their core gamers stay wholesome, there’s little excuse for Detroit’s protection to lose a recreation the place the Lions’ offense places up 30-plus factors.
Making the playoffs shouldn’t be a problem, however very similar to the Ravens, the Lions must overcome their knack for melting down in January. If Detroit avoids committing 5 turnovers or blowing a 17-point lead in a playoff recreation, the Lions may lastly declare their first Tremendous Bowl title.
Washington Commanders
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball towards the Philadelphia Eagles through the second half within the NFC Championship recreation at Lincoln Monetary Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Invoice Streicher-Imagn Pictures As a 23-year-old who grew up close to our nation’s capital, it’s bizarre seeing individuals this enthusiastic about Washington’s soccer staff. I can’t blame them, although.
With a sensational younger quarterback in Jayden Daniels, a longtime coach in Dan Quinn and a reliable proprietor in Josh Harris, the Commanders look like a possible downside within the NFC for years to return.
Daniels will enter his sophomore season aided by stability at key positions throughout the offense, as Professional Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin and operating again Brian Robinson Jr. are each beneath contract for 2025. The staff may additionally retain free brokers Zach Ertz and Olamide Zaccheaus to provide Daniels two extra acquainted targets within the passing recreation.
Washington’s line of defense is in fine condition, too, as Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Dorance Armstrong are all set to return subsequent season.
Protecting linebacker Bobby Wagner and security Jeremy Chinn may very well be a problem, however the Commanders come up with the money for to plug any holes with a high free agent. Spotrac initiatives Washington to have simply over $80 million in cap area in 2025, the third-most within the league.
The Commanders went from final place in 2023 to a recreation shy of the Tremendous Bowl in 2024, and a splashy offseason signing may assist ship a title for this resurrected franchise in 2025.
