As we head into the Holiday period and the colder weather, the action in the National Football League is heating up as we reach the conclusion of the regular season.
In January and February, the business of the Playoffs and Super Bowl looms, but, for now, there are plenty of teams that are still in with a chance of getting there.
Indeed, this season has been characterized by an abundance of shock results and teams making a mockery of preseason predictions of mediocrity. It’s often the case, of course, as that’s what makes the football season exciting, but this campaign has seen more than the usual number of surprise candidates.
Below, we look at five of those teams that have the Playoffs in their sights. Some were dismissed as also-rans before the season started, but now have a real chance of football in January. Others have defied the odds to be considered real contenders for Super Bowl LX.
Indianapolis Colts
A team that went from 100/1 shots at the beginning of the season to being right down with the contenders today, according to DraftKings’ latest football odds. The Colts have arguably been the surprise package of the season, taking command of the AFC South. They have a generous schedule to conclude the season, and they look nailed on to make the Playoffs for the first time since 2020.
New England Patriots
The Patriots, seen as such a dominant force in the 2000s and 2010s, were widely tipped to improve this season, but few expected those improvements to be so dramatic. Drake Maye – a veritable candidate for the MVP – has fired the Patriots to a commanding position atop the AFC East. They were the first team to reach 10 wins, already exceeding their predicted total of 9 with several games to spare. Could a record-extending 12th Super Bowl appearance be on the cards?
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were arguably in the middle tier of Playoff contenders at the beginning of the season. At the time of writing, Sean McVay and his team are the favorites for Super Bowl LX. It’s not just their record, but the way they have gone about their business, dismantling teams with a perfect blend of defense and offense, switching it up when needed. They also have a relatively easy schedule to finish the season, so we expect them to be right among the top seeds in January. Keep an eye on Matthew Stafford in the MVP conversation, too.
Denver Broncos
For the best part of a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs have had a stranglehold on the AFC West Division. That is not surprising, given the Chiefs’ dominance across the league in recent years. Yet, some believed that some chinks in their armor could be exploited. The Broncos have smelled blood this season, beating the Chiefs and the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Eagles. Denver is widely considered a team on the up, but the rise has been sudden and dramatic. Winning the AFC West would put down a huge marker.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Do we think the Jaguars will win the Super Bowl? No. Do we believe the Jaguars will make the Playoffs and defy the predictions set out for them at the start of the season? Yes. The Jags have been excellent in several games this season, and they look like they can battle the Colts for top spot in the AFC South. It would not be surprising to see them finish with 11 or 12 wins, way ahead of expectations.
