While the NFL regular season is in full swing, many fans of the sport are already looking ahead to next year's Super Bowl LIX in February 2025. The Super Bowl remains one of the most thrilling sporting events in the world, commanding millions of eyeballs each year. The playoffs are where the excitement truly begins, and it is never too early to predict which teams may emerge on top in this game of high stakes.
Discussing who the early favorites and underdogs are is common, with fans and analysts alike seemingly rushing to predict which team is best positioned for that run. The following article will examine some of the top contenders and surprise teams to watch and consider how shifting Super Bowl odds may change throughout the season.
Super Bowl Odds: Who Are the Early Favorites?
With this in mind, entering the 2024 NFL season, some of these teams were predicted to be 2024 Super Bowl contenders due to their strong rosters, experienced coaches, and consistent performance over the years, with many analysts already looking at the Super Bowl odds to gauge their potential. While no one can say for sure, some of the most popular teams to watch by analysts and all other fans include:
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes once more has the Kansas City Chiefs among the top favorites to win the Super Bowl. With a virtually unstoppable Super Bowl MVP leading a high-powered offense, the Chiefs have become a staple for their come-from-behind victories, dynamic passing game, and a pretty good defense. With all that in mind, the Chiefs currently hold a spot among the top AFC teams and are almost certain to at least be a tough out in the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been one of the few consistent organizations during the Kyle Shanahan era and boast one of the more complete rosters in football. A dynamic, quarterback-driven offense, quarterback Brock Purdy pairs with a tenacious superstar-led defense spearheaded by guys like Nick Bosa, situating them well for a deep playoff run. With such strong units on both offense and defense, this team is well-positioned for Super Bowl LIX, given how open the NFC is.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off their appearance in Super Bowl LVII, the Philadelphia Eagles are still one of the biggest contenders going into the 2024 season. With quarterback Jalen Hurts, who became one of the most exciting and versatile playmakers in the league, the Eagles have an elite offense and a stingy defense. The ability to be great in both the trenches is an edge come playoff time, and it cements them as one of the favorites for Super Bowl LIX.
The Underdogs: Surprise Teams to Watch
While much has been said about the Chiefs, 49ers, and Eagles, there are always teams that surprise in a given postseason. They may not be hyped as high as some of those frontrunners, but they have the talent and the capability to make that well-sought run toward the Super Bowl.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins, over the last few years, have quietly built a competitive team. The Dolphins, with one of the best-attacking teams in the league, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and game-changing threats such as Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, will surely be one of the hottest teams in the league. The team's question marks on defense and consistency still exist, but Miami will have the firepower to make playoff noise. They could be a dangerous underdog if the offense stays healthy and clicks at the right time.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have been considered one of the poorer-performing teams in the NFL for years; however, in the past season or two, they have flipped that massively under head coach Dan Campbell. The surprise has been the Lions' high-powered offense, led by quarterback Jared Goff and a dynamic group of skill players. Their defense has shown encouraging signs of life, though it's still not dominant. The Lions have a legitimate shot at being a sleeper to take Super Bowl LIX if they can keep trending upward and get themselves into the postseason.
In the End
As the season wears on in the 2024 NFL, the race for Super Bowl LIX is still wide open. Meanwhile, though teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles should be early favorites because of their superstar talents and depth throughout many position groups, underdog teams could provide a plethora of surprises, like the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Playoffs now mean that the true football fan is eagerly anticipating to see which teams rise to the occasion and state their case for a Super Bowl championship. Whoever may claim the title, it is only fitting that Super Bowl LIX will further add to the NFL's treasure trove of moments.
