10 NFL Teams With the Best Chance To Win Super Bowl LIII

Image via USA Today Sports/Kirby Lee

John Lynch has to be thrilled with his situation. Who would have thought that would be the case after San Francisco started 0-9? After Garoppolo changed uniforms midway through the season, the fourth-year QB threw for 1,560 yards and seven touchdowns with a 96.2 passer rating. San Francisco has not qualified for the playoffs since 2014, but Garoppolo and company will have a good chance to break that streak this year. Their two gifted tackles are an underrated but vital asset.

This season was a big disappointment for Cowboys fans. They finished 9-7 and second in the NFC East, but failed to make the playoffs—a far cry from the Super Bowl predictions some had made for the squad. Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension threw the team out of whack. With Elliott in the backfield for all 16 games and another year under Dak Prescott’s belt, Dallas should contend with Philly for the NFC East crown—though the Cowboys’ offensive line has to be better.

The Saints’ offense looked as good as any in the league at times. With Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram in the backfield and Drew Brees somehow still in his prime, New Orleans had the firepower to hang with the best of the best. The Saints re-signed Brees and acquired wide receiver Cameron Meredith from Chicago. This may be Brees’ last real shot at a second ring.

The Jaguars’ defense is lightning quick. They put a scare into the Patriots in the AFC Championship and should have pulled it out, but Brady and Danny Amendola turned into an unstoppable duo. The Jags are this low because of their quarterback play—can Blake Bortles, former No. 3 overall pick, become more consistent in his fifth season? Or will Jacksonville look to replace him? And can Jacksonville get through Houston and Indianapolis if they’re healthy?

The Packers finished only 7-9 and third in the NFC North this season, so why are they this high? Their ranking is based on the presumption Aaron Rodgers will be healthy. Green Bay’s offense was miserable without him; Brett Hundley tossed 12 picks. Though Jordy Nelson is gone, Rodgers should come back with a vengeance this season.

The Vikings came this close to hosting the Super Bowl after their miraculous win against New Orleans, but they failed to show up for the NFC Championship Game and the Eagles put a hurting on them. With Kirk Cousins now under center, Minnesota should be a force to be reckoned with. If Dalvin Cook returns at full strength, look out for this team—they should be a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

The Rams had a strong regular season but ran into a tough playoff opponent in the first round in Atlanta. After finishing 11-5 and winning the AFC West, Los Angeles fell to the No. 6 seed in convincing fashion. They’re now one year older and wiser, and L.A. has perhaps the league’s best all-around weapon in Todd Gurley. Look for Sean McVay’s squad to go up a level.

Big Ben is aging, but the Steelers remain loaded. Le’Veon Bell is arguably the league’s best running back and Antonio Brown is arguably its best wide receiver. JuJu Smith-Schuster looks ready to break out. You know the Steelers will put points on the board—they’ll need their defense to be better if they are to make it further in the playoffs in this go-round. The Steelers’ D suffered tremendously from losing Ryan Shazier.

Philly won the Super Bowl largely because of its vaunted defense. That defense got even better this offseason with the addition of Michael Bennett. If Carson Wentz is healthy, he should be an MVP candidate—he’s obviously a huge upgrade over Nick Foles, who played out of his mind in the postseason. One key question: Which Jay Ajayi will show up this season?

What can you really say? The team’s leaders might be feuding, and Rob Gronkowski might end up playing for another team (or retiring), but we’ve learned to never bet against Brady and Bellichick. As long as those guys rep New England, the Patriots will be a Super Bowl favorite—partially because of their perennially easy road in the AFC East. Though Philly deserves love, the Pats remain slightly ahead as our No. 1.