After the Kansas City Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls in 2023 and 2024, earning them their third ring in five years, they are the heavy favourites to complete the three-peat. Last season’s runner up the San Fransisco 49ers and last season’s MVP Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens also sit among the betting favourites. However, below are four teams who aren’t considered contenders, but come February, they might be right there with them.
1 – Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles ended 2023 with a record of 11 wins and six losses, earning them the fifth seed in the NFC, and a wildcard spot in the playoffs, in which they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After an impressive 2022 in which they were Super Bowl runners up to the Chiefs, 2023 saw them decline slightly. Last season they started 10-1, as they did in 2022, however they ended the season by losing five of their last six games including an embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, who had the joint worst record last year.
However, the Eagles have looked to improve this offseason, with the signing of former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley on a three-year deal in what has been a bit of a running back merry-go-round this offseason. The Eagles add one of the league's best in Barkley, and another weapon for Hurts and the Eagles who already boast two of the league's best receivers in AJ Brown and Devonta Smith.
They have also strengthened at corner in the 2024 NFL Draft, with CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean taken in rounds one and two respectively, as well as signing C.J Gardner Johnson for his second stint with the team, having helped them to an NFC Championship in 2022, boosting what was one of the weakest secondaries in the NFL last season. Additionally, they addressed their issues at linebacker, with the signing of Super Bowl 50 winner Devin White, whose speed will surely help the Eagles regain some defensive prowess despite there being some injury concerns surrounding him.
Overall, this offseason has seen the Eagles plug some holes in their team and these much-needed pieces could be the last ones needed to complete the puzzle and win them their first Super Bowl ring since 2017, if their key players can remain healthy.
2 – Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys recorded 12 wins and five losses last season and just missed out on the number one seed in the NFC thanks to the 49ers better conference record, despite this they’re not in the Super Bowl conversation.
2023 saw the Cowboys top the NFC East, and they opened the season with an immense 40-0 win over the New York Giants, however, losses to the Cardinals and the Dolphins may have cost them that one seed in the NFC. Additionally, a shock loss to the seven seed Green Bay Packers in the Wildcard round of the playoffs meant the Cowboys’ promising season ended prematurely, and in disappointment.
In order to rectify and build on last season, the Cowboys signed linebacker Eric Kendricks on a one-year contract. This fills a big hole in the Cowboy’s defense after Leighton Vander Esch’s neck injury. After converting safety Markquese Bell to LB to cover for Vander Esch’s injury, the Cowboys now have a fully competent player in the position in Kendricks, and one who is familiar with how new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer likes to play, having played under him with the Minnesota Vikings for seven seasons. Kendricks has also had at least 92 tackles in each of his nine NFL seasons and will be a veteran presence in the locker room.
Despite quarterback Dak Prescott’s continued post-season struggles, he threw a league-leading 36 touchdown passes last year, as well as a league-leading and career-high in completions, with 410. If he can continue to prove why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he could very well lead his team to their first Lombardi Trophy since 1995.
And he has the weapons to do so. Wide receiver Ceedee Lamb showed everyone last season why he is up there with the best in the league in his position. Lamb had a career-high in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2023, and is the Cowboys WR1 in offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s system.
However, they will be without running back Tony Pollard this season after he signed with the Tennessee Titans. They replaced him by re-signing former back-up Rico Dowdle and by signing Rams RB Royce Freeman on a one-year deal. Neither possess the quality nor have they proven that they can have the same impact as Pollard did, but two solid options will help Dak and his offense.
If Prescott can improve on his post-season record, then the Cowboys do have a chance at upsetting the heavy hitters of the league and making a deep, post-season run.
3 – Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins ended 2023 with a record of 11-6, and only missed out on a top four seed after two losses to division rivals the Buffalo Bills. Their odds of winning the team’s third Super Bowl and first since the 70s are currently at least +2000 favourites across many betting companies.
In 2023, the Dolphins had a decent season, competing for the AFC East title right until the very end. After securing a hard-fought Wildcard spot, the Dolphins lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wildcard game, with the Chiefs, of course, going on to win the Super Bowl.
In order to improve, and to once again challenge the Bills, the Dolphins have made several key offseason moves to try and compete.
After safety Brandon Jones left in free agency, Miami signed a replacement in former Bills safety Jordan Poyer. Poyer will bring experience in the secondary and may have a point to prove after being released by the Dolphins’ division rival.
Additionally, they added linebacker Shaquil Barrett in what was a position of need. Barrett, who signed on a one-year deal, will bring productivity and output in the Dolphins’ pass rush. They have also added Jordyn Brooks at linebacker, giving them much needed depth and skill at the position.
On the offensive end, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has a new weapon in tight end Jonnu Smith. Smith gives the Dolphins a good third receiving option behind wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
It will be an important year for QB Tagovailoa as well, as he comes off a career best year in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns. The Dolphins will need him to be back at his best if they want to do well in 2024. They have the firepower on offense and defense, so they’ll be a team to watch.
4 – New York Jets
When a team has a healthy Aaron Rodgers on their side, they automatically have a chance to go the distance, and for the New York Jets, 2024 might just be their year.
After a 2023 which saw them finish with seven wins and 10 losses for the second consecutive year, they will be looking to bounce back in a big way and make a big splash in the AFC East.
They already have some pieces capable of such feats. For example, the Jets have both the Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Defensive Rookie of the Year for 2022 in Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. In the two years Wilson has been in the league, he has had over 1,000 receiving yards, and as for Gardner, he was First-team All-Pro in both 2022 and 2023, earning him a Pro-Bowl selection in those years as well.
They’ve added to their roster in free agency too, with the signing of veteran left tackle Tyron Smith, they add more protection for Rodgers in what will hopefully be his first full season with the Jets. Additionally, they fill a big gap in their roster at defensive tackle by signing Javon Kinlaw. The signing of veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor provides sufficient backup to Rodgers if he were to get hurt again.
And with a healthy ‘A-Rod', this team has the potential to do some real damage. Rodgers is going into his 20th NFL season and will want to get back to the form that has earned him three career MVP awards.
In his last season at full health in 2022, Rodgers threw for over 3,500 yards and scored 26 touchdowns. It will definitely be interesting to see how he plays a full season with the Jets.
The Jets now have a good mix of exciting young talent and seasoned veterans, which could see them cause some problems for the other teams in the AFC, and a deep playoff run is not out of the question.
