Image via USA Today Sports/Kirby Lee
At this time last year, sports prognosticators were confident that the New England Patriots were Super Bowl favorites, and that confidence was justified. But who could have predicted the upstart Philadelphia Eagles would be matched up against them—and ultimately win?
New England entered the 2017-18 season with Vegas’ best odds to win the Super Bowl, while Philly had only the 18th-best odds—and the Eagles had those odds with starting quarterback Carson Wentz, who tore his ACL in early December and missed the rest of the season. This shocking outcome illustrated the beautiful reality of sports: they’re unpredictable.
In retrospect, the entire 2017 NFL season was insane. The Tom Brady/Bill Belichick/Robert Kraft dynasty appeared to be jeopardized as a result of infighting over Brady’s nutrition guru and how to handle backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Speaking of Jimmy Guapo: after the Patriots shipped him out of town, he led the hapless 49ers to five straight wins to end the season. Just as shocking: the Buffalo Bills snapped their 17-year postseason drought with a wild ending to the Bengals-Ravens game in Week 17.
Looking ahead to the 2018 season, a number of exciting young teams—like the Rams and Jaguars—have emerged as legitimate contenders. Others—like the Texans and 49ers—have given downtrodden fan bases hope for the future.
These teams are threatening to break through, but the league’s established forces, like the Patriots, Eagles, and Steelers, won’t go quietly. Which team has the best chance of winning the Super Bowl LIII?
Though prediction is by nature an inexact science, and it’s probably way too early for anyone to really know, here are 10 teams we believe have the best chance to win the 2019 Super Bowl. For reference, current Vegas odds for all teams are available here.
10. San Francisco 49ers
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.
9. Dallas Cowboys
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.
8. New Orleans Saints
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.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
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?
6. Green Bay Packers
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.
5. Minnesota Vikings
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.
4. Los Angeles Rams
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.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
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.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
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?
1. New England Patriots
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.
