NFL halfway ranking names about 10 teams with real Super Bowl chances
At the midpoint of the NFL season, one analyst ranks all 32 teams and argues that only about 10 have a realistic path to the Super Bowl, with Buffalo, San Francisco, Cincinnati and Green Bay near the top of the conversation.
At the midpoint of the NFL season, only about 10 of the league's 32 teams can realistically hope to win the Super Bowl, according to a ranking of every club after Week 9. The Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers stand out among the contenders, while several teams that have posted winning records are still viewed as unlikely to reach February.
Buffalo sits at the top of the AFC and leads the league with 32 points per game, and the Bills hold the conference's No. 1 seed. Quarterback Josh Allen has played in two AFC Championship Games, both at Arrowhead Stadium, a detail the ranking points to as a sign of his experience in high-stakes postseason settings. Buffalo has four of its final nine games against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, which gives it a favorable path to protect its position.
In the NFC, San Francisco is the pick to emerge from the conference. Quarterback Brock Purdy has completed 69 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. The 49ers added receiver Keenan Allen, although Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have each missed time, a concern for an offense that depends on its weapons.
Kansas City has been more vulnerable than its reputation suggests. The Chiefs have allowed 143 points in eight games, a total that undercuts their status as a traditional powerhouse. Patrick Mahomes hurt his arm in a game against the Jets, returned to play, and Kansas City still won by 23 points. Seattle's defense held the Chiefs to three points in a separate meeting, a result that stood out in the midseason evaluation.
Cincinnati received the ranking's midseason MVP honor for quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals have twice rallied from a 13-point deficit in consecutive games, including an overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans. That resilience has kept Cincinnati in the mix even as the team's margins have been tested.
Green Bay has gone 5-1 since its loss to Atlanta and won a game against New England by 45 points. The Los Angeles Rams have won three straight games since Myles Garrett returned, though wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have dealt with injuries. Detroit has won four straight, but the ranking flags its defense as a central question that could decide how far the team goes.
Several other clubs drew mixed assessments. Chicago has talented quarterback Caleb Williams, but his turnovers remain a problem. Jacksonville has outscored its opponents by 108 points, yet committed 13 penalties in a game against Cincinnati. Denver has seven wins and a point differential of plus 12, though the analysis notes that some officiating calls have helped the Broncos. Minnesota is 6-2, but questions persist about quarterback play despite the team's trade for Kirk Cousins.
New England's Drake Maye accounted for five touchdowns in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pittsburgh's Aaron Rodgers threw nine touchdown passes in three games, but the author doubts the Steelers can make a February run. The New York Giants lead the NFC East despite losing quarterback Jaxson Dart to injury.
Cleveland is winning despite subpar quarterback play, and Lamar Jackson is expected to miss six to nine weeks. Dallas committed 153 penalty yards in a win over Indianapolis and is not considered a Super Bowl team. Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Atlanta were ranked in the middle tier, with the NFC South viewed as a weak division. Washington received praise for quarterback Jayden Daniels, while coach Dan Quinn drew criticism.
At the bottom of the ranking are Arizona, Indianapolis, the New York Jets, Philadelphia, Miami, Tennessee and the Los Angeles Chargers, each considered far from contention based on their records and performances so far this season.
Source: foxnews.com
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