Super Bowl LX kicks off on February 8, 2026. Camps are open, depth charts are getting shuffled, and every coach in America is swearing their team is in the best shape of their lives. Let’s be honest: most of them aren’t. These six are. 

I’m not just throwing helmets on the table because of brand names or Vegas odds. These teams check the boxes you actually care about when you’re trying to figure out who can hold the Lombardi: real quarterback play (or a believable path to it), continuity where it matters, fixes to last year’s problems, premium talent at the premium positions, and a path that doesn’t require four straight road wins in January.

Let’s get into it.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Why They’re Here

The Eagles had a No. 1 scoring defense under Vic Fangio, an offense that could bludgeon you one week and carve you up the next, and they got the kind of postseason dominance from Saquon Barkley that reminded people why he went second overall in the draft once upon a time.

Jalen Hurts didn’t put up video game numbers all season, but he was exactly who he needed to be in the biggest moments — steady, composed, and opportunistic. And his roster is stacked. It’s not just the names at the top — it’s the depth across the board.

A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are about as good a 1-2 punch as you’ll find in the league — one’s a physical mismatch nightmare, the other’s a route-running technician who can shake anyone off the line. And with Saquon Barkley in the backfield now, you’ve got an explosive threat who can beat you downhill or catch passes in space. This isn’t a team that needs Hurts to be Superman every snap; it’s a group that can spread the ball, wear you down, and hit you with big plays from anywhere.

And it’s not just about the starters. Philly made sure to keep the cupboard full. They re-signed key guys across the board and invested in young talent on both sides of the ball.

What Changed (And Why It Matters)

They didn’t do a teardown or bring in a flashy new face just for headlines. They got a little younger in the secondary, handed the offensive keys to Kevin Patullo, and extended the guys who mattered.

Patullo replacing Kellen Moore as OC isn’t a total overhaul — it’s more like a recalibration. Last year, there were stretches where the Eagles’ passing game felt like it was stuck in second gear. The hope now is that Patullo smooths that out by leaning on quick game concepts and giving Hurts more rhythm-based options early in the down.

On defense, the Eagles are leaning on a pair of second-year standouts who already made major contributions during their Super Bowl run. First-round pick Quinyon Mitchell and second-rounder Cooper DeJean aren't your typical sophomores — they stepped in as rookies and helped solidify the secondary in high-pressure moments. Now, with a full year under their belts and a Super Bowl ring on their finger, the expectation isn’t just growth — it’s excellence.

Why They Can Win It All (Again)

In the modern NFL, the formula is simple: throw to build a lead, run to protect it. The Eagles do that better than almost anyone. The Hurts/Barkley backfield is a nightmare to defend. You try to go light in the box to cover them, and Barkley runs through it. You try to bring a safety down, and you get hit over the top.

On the other side of the ball, Fangio has built a unit that’s less about chaos and more about control. He’s not dialing up blitzes just for the sake of pressure — he’s crafting coverage shells that confuse quarterbacks and force hesitation.

The Path

They’re the favorite for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and it’s not hard to see why. The conference is weaker at the top than the AFC, and the Eagles have the rare combo of elite quarterback play, explosive weapons, and a defensive scheme that doesn’t fall apart against great offenses.

If they handle their business early and avoid a mid-season slump, they should be in the driver’s seat for a first-round bye. And if you’re telling me Jalen Hurts, at home, with two weeks to prep, is lining up with Barkley, Brown, and Smith at full health? I’m taking that team every time.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Why They’re Here

The Ravens put together a 12–5 season, won a brutal AFC North, and racked up over 7,300 yards of total offense while pairing Lamar Jackson’s best passing season with a run game that could just steamroll through defensive fronts. And it wasn’t just volume — it was balance. They could beat you with designed quarterback runs, with Derrick Henry bullying his way through short yardage, or with Lamar dealing from the pocket. For the first time in years, it felt like Baltimore had answers no matter what you threw at them.

They came up just short in the Divisional Round against Buffalo — a two-point loss that stung, sure, but also showed they could go blow-for-blow with a top-tier contender.

What Changed (And Why It Matters)

Not much got blown up this offseason, which tells you a lot. The Ravens know what they are — and they like it. Derrick Henry and Ronnie Stanley are back. Stanley stabilizes Lamar’s blindside when healthy, and Henry gives them a battering ram who turns 3rd-and-2 into a first down almost automatically.

The big offensive addition? DeAndre Hopkins. He’s not the "nuke the defense" guy from his prime, but he doesn’t need to be. If he can be that reliable third-down option, that chain-mover when things bog down, he fixes one of Baltimore’s lingering problems: consistent possession play when the field gets tight.

And on defense, they added Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie. Both come with health concerns, but if Alexander can give them anything close to his best, it changes everything. Pair him with Marlon Humphrey and suddenly you can rotate coverage shells, press more confidently, and trust your DBs to win more one-on-ones.

Why They Can Win It All

Lamar and Henry in the playoffs is a combo you do not want to deal with. You can’t play nickel and hope to hold up in the run game — Henry will truck you. But if you bring a safety down, Lamar and Todd Monken have an answer for that too. That’s the game within the game: forcing defenses into bad choices and then punishing them.

And that defense is built to win late. Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton own the middle of the field. You’re not hitting shallow crossers or option routes without earning every inch.

They don’t have to be perfect. They just need to keep games close, control the tempo, and win in high-leverage moments. This roster is more than capable of doing exactly that.

The Path

The problem is, the AFC North is brutal, and that makes earning a first-round bye tough. Without it, you might need to win in Buffalo and Kansas City.

But if they can stay healthy and take care of business in the division, the pieces are there. The quarterback. The coaching. The weapons. The defense. This isn’t a team that needs to get lucky. It’s a team that just needs a shot.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Why They’re Here

The Chiefs went 15–2 last year, ran through the AFC West like they’ve done for most of the Mahomes era, and racked up a 7–2 record against playoff teams. It was week-in, week-out championship-caliber football. And even though they made their third straight Super Bowl appearance, they didn’t bring home the trophy this time. Philly shut them down in a way we haven’t seen in a while. But let’s be honest — no one’s writing this team off.

The dynasty whispers might’ve quieted for a minute, but Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are still at the wheel. And when you’ve got that pairing, you’re never more than one drive away from taking over a game.

What Changed (And Why It Matters)

The most headline-grabbing move was spending a first-round pick on left tackle Josh Simmons. It’s a risk, for sure — trusting a rookie to anchor Mahomes’ blindside is never the safe play. But if Simmons clicks, Kansas City gets three cheap years of pass protection, which opens up flexibility everywhere else. That gamble could quietly end up being the key to extending the window.

They also continued their trend of rewarding in-house talent: George Karlaftis and Trey Smith both got extensions, and Trent McDuffie seems like the next man up.

At receiver, it’s a calculated chaos. Rashee Rice flashed last season but will likely miss time this season because of off-field issues. "Hollywood" Brown was added for speed and versatility, but he’s had a boom-or-bust reputation. But if Xavier Worthy can take a big jump after a solid rookie season, they would give Mahomes a solid enough toolkit to work with.

Travis Kelce is still around, still doing Travis Kelce things, but he’s also 35. The Chiefs know what they have there, and they’re planning accordingly.

Why They Can Win It All (Still)

Mahomes doesn’t need a perfect offense to win. Give him just one or two chances in a tight game and he’ll hit a backbreaking throw on 3rd-and-17, off-platform, across his body — because he’s Mahomes.

Defensively, this is one of the most complete units they’ve had. They’ve got blue-chip talent at every level — McDuffie in the secondary, Karlaftis and Chris Jones up front, Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill patrolling the middle. They steal possessions.

And if Simmons holds up at left tackle, the offense doesn’t need to be explosive every week. It just needs to stay efficient and protect No. 15. If they can do that, no one’s beating them in January without playing nearly perfect.

The Path

The Chiefs are still the class of the AFC West, so another double-digit win season feels like a lock. But the margin for error is smaller than it’s been in the past — the AFC is stacked, and one or two slip-ups could mean no bye.

That’s why the race for the 1-seed matters so much. If the road to the Super Bowl goes through Arrowhead, you feel good about their chances. If it doesn’t, you still don’t want to bet against Mahomes — but it gets a whole lot harder.

4. Buffalo Bills

Why They’re Here

The Bills went 13–4 last year, Josh Allen won MVP, and they had the second-best scoring offense in football (30.9 PPG). That alone should be enough to put them in the conversation. But it goes deeper than that.

They pushed the Chiefs to the edge — again — in the AFC Championship, losing by a field goal. And it wasn’t because they didn’t belong. They had the firepower. They had the quarterback. What they didn’t have was a defense that could win a few key reps in crunch time.

What Changed

So what did they do? They attacked the soft spot head-on.

The Bills threw real capital at the defense this offseason. Joey Bosa was the headliner — a double-digit sack guy when healthy. They also brought in Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi to beef up the front and poured six of their seven draft picks into that side of the ball. That’s not subtle.

On offense, it’s less about shiny new toys and more about growth from within. Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Dalton Kincaid, and James Cook give Allen a wide range of weapons, even if none of them scream “alpha” like Stefon Diggs did. Still, that might not be a bad thing. This version of the Bills is trying to spread it around, lean into mismatches, and trust Allen to be the guy who elevates them instead of leaning on one bailout option.

Why They Can Win It All

Because this is the best version of Josh Allen we’ve seen. Not just statistically — though the numbers back it up — but in the way he managed games. He still had the rocket arm and highlight plays, but the recklessness that he had when he first came into the league doesn't show up very often. He took what defenses gave him, trusted his checkdowns, and still threw daggers when he needed to.

And if the defense takes a real step forward — even just from “solid” to “above average” — this roster is right there with anyone. Especially when you factor in continuity. They’re bringing back over 80% of their 2024 snaps, which matters more than people realize.

The Path

It’s not complicated. They need to lock up the 1‑seed. That’s the cleanest way to avoid having to go through both Baltimore and Kansas City. If the road to the Super Bowl runs through Buffalo, they’re in a great spot. But getting there likely means hitting 14 wins, maybe even 15, depending on tiebreakers.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Why They’re Here

The Bucs went 10–7, claimed the NFC South crown, and nearly pulled off a Wild Card win before getting stunned at the buzzer. It was a gut-punch of a loss, but it proved this team wasn't just here to hang around — they were actually dangerous.

Baker Mayfield had a career year. Over 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and a sharp 71.4% completion rate. The offense just clicked and they ended up finishing top-five in scoring. Mike Evans was still Mike Evans, Chris Godwin made tough catches underneath, and rookie Bucky Irving showed up with the kind of juice that made it clear he’s going to be a key piece for them.

And let’s not forget the context: this team was adjusting to another new play-caller (which they'll have to weather again this year), still had injury questions throughout the year, and they still found ways to consistently move the ball and finish drives.

What Changed

• Chris Godwin’s decision to stay — despite bigger offers elsewhere — says everything about the Bucs’ locker room. When a respected vet chooses team continuity and culture over chasing a few extra million, it sets a tone. That’s a guy signaling he believes in the group, and that kind of belief is contagious. Ask ChatGPT.

• Haason Reddick was added on a one-year, $14M deal. Say what you want about his age, but he’s still twitchy off the edge and gives this defense real juice.

• Another offensive coordinator change. That’s three in three years. It’s the biggest red flag of the bunch, because no matter how good your weapons are, you can’t afford to be relearning the offense every September.

Why They Can Win It All

Because the NFC doesn’t demand perfection, and the Bucs are more stable than they’re getting credit for. Mayfield has real chemistry with Evans and Godwin. Irving gives them explosiveness out of the backfield that they haven’t had in a while. If Wirfs gets back early, the offensive line settles in, and they can actually build off what they did last year instead of resetting again.

Defensively, there’s a good mix of veteran steadiness. Antoine Winfield Jr. is one of the best safeties in football. Vita Vea still clogs the middle like few others. Lavonte David is ageless. And now you add Reddick, who can give you a sack or two in a playoff game just off timing and instincts alone.

The Path

The NFC South is still theirs to lose. If they stay relatively healthy and gel under the new OC, there’s a real path to a top-three seed. Win a home game, stay healthy, catch fire — that’s the blueprint.

6. Los Angeles Rams

Why They’re Here

They started 1–4, finished 9–3, won the NFC West, and gave the eventual champs a real fight in the playoffs. That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen without a coach who knows how to adapt, and that’s exactly what Sean McVay does better than just about anyone.

Now, it feels like they’re leaning all the way in. Puka Nacua isn’t just a feel-good story anymore — he’s one of the most productive young receivers in football. They weren't happy with just that, though; they went out and landed Davante Adams to play alongside him.

What Changed

• Kupp out, Adams in. That’s a massive statement. Adams still draws double teams, still wins on third down, and pairing him with a precision route-runner like Nacua makes the Rams offense brutally difficult to cover. It's not just about highlights — it's about stacking first downs and putting defenses in a blender every single drive.

• Matthew Stafford got a one-year, $44M extension. That’s not a developmental move — it’s a signal. Stafford’s healthy, the front office believes in this window, and they’re not pretending otherwise. It’s ride-or-die with a proven QB who’s already shown he can win the whole thing when the pieces are in place.

Why They Can Win It All

Because the Stafford/McVay combo still works — especially when you throw in a route duo like Nacua and Adams. You can’t double both, and McVay’s one of the best in the league at creating favorable matchups. If the protection holds and the run game does just enough to keep defenses honest, Stafford’s going to find the mismatch — and punish it.

Defensively, it’s all about doing more with less. The front isn’t loaded with Pro Bowl names, but if they can generate pressure with four (and they’ve built it to do just that), McVay and DC Chris Shula can go deep into the bag with coverage disguises and simulated pressures. It’s not flashy, but it works.

The Path

The NFC West is gettable, especially if the 49ers aren't able to get back to what they were. A top-two seed isn’t out of the question — and they’ll need it. Getting a home Divisional game is probably key to avoiding Philly until the conference title game. And if they get there healthy, with that passing attack clicking? They’re as dangerous as anyone.

Honorable Mentions

Houston Texans

Why They’re Here

They went 10–7, won the AFC South, pulled off a gutsy Wild Card win over the Chargers, and gave the Chiefs a decent challenge in the Divisional round. C.J. Stroud didn’t take a massive Year 2 leap statistically, but he didn’t have to — he was poised, efficient, and played smart football when it mattered. And the defense came alive, led by another stellar season from Derek Stingley Jr., who looked every bit like a lockdown CB1, and Will Anderson Jr., who found his stride off the edge and started wrecking drives.

Why They Can Win It All (Yes, Really)

Because Stroud looks like a guy who’s ready to make that Year 3 leap, and in the NFL, that’s often the tipping point between good and great. He’s smart with the ball, has a better feel for pressure than most young QBs, and the Texans have surrounded him with a system that highlights his strengths.

But the real X-factor? That defense that can flip games on a dime. Stingley and Anderson are both ascending, and when you’ve got a true lockdown corner plus a couple of guys who can win off the edge, you're built to create chaos in January.

And the AFC South isn’t exactly a murderers’ row. There’s a path here where Houston rattles off 12 wins, grabs the 2-seed, and sets up shop at home for the first couple of rounds. That’s not a pipe dream.

Minnesota Vikings

Why They’re Here

The Vikings had a wild ride of a season. They finished 14–3 — a record that still doesn’t feel real to some fans — but it didn’t buy them much playoff security. They landed in the wild card round, making history as the first 14-win team ever to not win their division. Then they saw Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold leave in free agency, putting the spotlight squarely on J.J. McCarthy, the second-year QB out of Michigan who hasn't played a snap in the regular season.

Why They Can Win It All

Here’s the thing: this roster is built to support a young quarterback. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are a terrifying duo for defenses to cover — one’s arguably the best wideout in football, and the other’s a guy who showed he can beat one-on-one coverage and make plays at all three levels. That alone gives McCarthy a safety blanket most rookie QBs could only dream of.

Up front, the offensive line is one of the better units in the league on paper. They can protect well enough to keep McCarthy upright and give him the time to grow into the role. If he can just be league-average by the back half of the season, that could be enough.

But the real surprise last year was the defense. They led the NFL in interceptions (24) and total takeaways (33), and did it without a top-10 pass defense statistically. It was bend-don’t-break at an extreme level. They gave up plenty of yards, but when it mattered, they made plays. If they can stay anywhere close to that kind of ball-hawking chaos in 2025, it’ll give McCarthy more margin for error.

The NFC has a handful of powerhouses, but it’s not as deep as the AFC. If Minnesota can win ugly early and keep McCarthy progressing, they’ll be a scary matchup by January.