Who Are the NFL’s True Contenders in 2025-26?
The NFL season has flown by, and it’s already Week 11. As the end of the season approaches, we start to see the playoff race ramp up. It’s super important to get a high seed in the playoffs, so you can have home-field advantage. With teams starting to look ahead, the battle for the Super Bowl looks to be one of the most competitive we’ve ever seen. Here are the teams that have the best shot of winning it all.
Kansas City Chiefs
Despite the Kansas City Chiefs not being in the playoffs currently, they have one of the best players in the NFL, QB Patrick Mahomes. In Mahomes' seven years of starting a full NFL season, he’s never missed the AFC Championship Game. As the playoffs draw closer and every possession matters, Mahomes' experience and ability to come back to close out games will be pivotal for the Chiefs to make it all the way. Mahomes' leadership and resilience in all situations will be among the reasons they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Additionally, the Chiefs' defense ranks in the top five in points given up, at 17.7, and top 10 in yards allowed at 291.8, largely thanks to Chris Jones. Their defense's ability to force turnovers and give the ball back to Mahomes will be huge if they want to make a push for the Super Bowl. They have all the pieces to contend between young guys and veterans.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are a complete team. Their QB Matthew Stafford won Super Bowl LVI in 2022, and he looks to do it again. They have one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Despite Nacua missing some time this season, he is playing like a top-five WR. Adams brings a veteran presence in the locker room and on the field, making plays in clutch situations. This shows why Adams is still one of the best in the league. On offense, the Rams also have Kyren Williams, who is going to carve up the opposing defense's front seven. If you stack the box, then the receivers are going to go nuts. This gives them a balanced attack and causes nightmares for defensive coordinators. On the other hand, their defense has been strong against the pass and run. Their ability to cause turnovers and get off the field on third down will be one of the many reasons why they can win the whole thing.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions may have the best lineup in the NFL. They have the most balanced offense in the NFL, led by Goff. Their offense also features top WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and WR Jameson Williams. They have the best running back duo in the NFL, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who have speed to take a carry to the house. Gibbs is one of the most proficient and dangerous running backs in the NFL. His ability to score on a run or a pass is crazy and keeps defenses on their toes. Jared Goff is a game manager and doesn’t turn the ball over often, which makes them even more dangerous. Goff currently has three interceptions, which is amazing. On the defensive side, they have a top-five pass rusher in DE Aidan Hutchinson. His ability to get to the QB in less than three seconds makes it hard for opposing offensive lines to block. They missed him last year when he went down with a season-ending injury and missed the whole playoffs. When they double-team him, it gives the other Lions players one-on-one coverage to cause havoc. Don’t be surprised if the Lions hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
These are the three most complete teams in the NFL. Between Patrick Mahomes’ experience, the Rams receiver corps, or the Lions running back duo, we should see one of these teams win the whole thing. Get ready for the next three months of unforgettable football. Every game matters for seeding because they all want the number one seed and a bye.
