The Kansas City Chiefs could absolutely three-peat as Super Bowl champs in 2025, and they should be considered as the favorites until another team (not led by Tom Brady) proves they can beat them in the big game.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 teams that we feel right now could stop the Chiefs from winning a third-straight Super Bowl in 2025.
While some of these picks are pretty expected (the Cincinnati Bengals), we included at least one team that might surprise you quite a bit.
We didn’t include the San Francisco 49ers because … no disrespect, but … if they can’t beat the Chiefs it in two Super Bowl tries, they’re probably not going to do it on a third time. Let’s look at other possible contenders.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are one of the only teams that has successfully taken down the Chiefs in the NFL playoffs, and we’re still convinced they’ve got the best chance of any team to prevent the three-peat.
If quarterback Joe Burrow can stay healthy throughout the season and the team losing offensive coordinator Brian Callahan (and potentially wide receivers Tee Higgins and/or Tyler Boyd), the Bengals have enough talent and coaching bona fides elsewhere to win the AFC.
Houston Texans
One of the trendiest Super Bowl picks in 2024 will be the Texans, a team that improved so much in 2023 with quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans that it won a playoff game.
We’ll see how Stroud continues to grow as Houston’s budding superstar quarterback, and if the Texans pose a serious threat to the rest of the AFC next season.
It wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest for the Texans to make it to the big game for the first time in the franchise’s history during Stroud’s tenure.
Detroit Lions
The Lions were the feel-good story of 2023, but retaining offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn could keep the good vibes going in Detroit for 2024.
Detroit got close to actually playing in the Super Bowl, and we’re guessing the Lions are going to maintain momentum this fall since they’ve retained so much coaching stability.
We’ll see how long quarterback Jared Goff can keep this second wind his career going and if another team in the NFC North could take back the division this upcoming season. However, it’s Detroit’s to lose still.
Green Bay Packers
Oh, speaking of the NFC North: the Packers are coming.
Quarterback Jordan Love proved down the stretch of the 2023 season that he’s got the goods to lead Green Bay back to prominence in the NFC.
It helps that the Packers have so much young talent on the offense (hello, stacked wide receiver room on rookie contracts) to supplant Love as he continues to develop into a long-term franchise quarterback.
Green Bay’s defense has plenty of star power on it, and Matt LaFleur has been one of the most winning NFL coaches of the past few years. Don’t be shocked if Love and the Pack make serious waves next season.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were the Super Bowl favorites before the Chiefs rolled into Baltimore and topped them in last month’s AFC championship game.
We’re expecting the Ravens to let that loss fuel them into next season and beyond, as Baltimore will still be one of the toughest teams to beat in the NFL with two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm.
While losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to the Seattle Seahawks may sting, there is still so much talent on that side of the ball to keep the wins coming (even if breakout defensive tackle Justin Madubuike leaves in free agency, as good Ravens defenders have in the past).
Philadelphia Eagles
Count out the Eagles at your own peril. Even though the team turned from contender into disaster throughout the course of the 2023 season, Philadelphia has already made some huge changes.
Adding offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could really elevate the Eagles back into one of the NFL’s most ferocious teams, and you can bet that general manager Howie Roseman will be active in patching up any roster holes Philly may have.
As long as quarterback Jalen Hurts can stay healthy, we’re guessing the Eagles will fly much higher than they did in 2023. They could even set up a Super Bowl rematch with Kansas City if all goes right.
Los Angeles Chargers
Another trendy Super Bowl pick will inevitably be the Chargers, who hired the big fish of the 2024 NFL coaching cycle in Jim Harbaugh.
While playing against Kansas City two times a season isn’t always ideal, it does give Los Angeles plenty of familiarity with the Chiefs for a possible playoff meeting.
The Chargers have some work to do on the roster, but pairing Harbaugh with quarterback Justin Herbert will have plenty of people wondering if they’ll emerge as the next heavyweight in the AFC who could knock off the Chiefs.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have never been able to get past the Chiefs in the playoffs, but it’s bound to happen at some point… right?
Quarterback Josh Allen is just too talented to ever ignore on a list like this, and Buffalo will have the benefit of time to get healthy for a 2024 run.
While the Bills will need to be vigilant in free agency and the draft to continue to build out the roster, Allen and Mahomes have one of the best playoff rivalries going in the NFL right now.
Maybe that rivalry will tilt toward Allen sooner than later.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have one of the best offenses in the NFL, and we’re betting they’d love to get even with the Chiefs after falling to them in the AFC wild-card round last month on a freezing Kansas City night.
If Anthony Weaver can mesh better as the new defensive coordinator than Fangio did, this Miami team could be even more dangerous than it was last season.
Obviously, the AFC is a gauntlet, but the Dolphins have been winning long enough for a breakthrough to happen eventually.
Arizona Cardinals
There is always room for a shocking pick on a list like this, and ours will be the Cardinals.
A rebuilding Arizona was a feisty outfit in 2023 despite not having quarterback Kyler Murray for a good chunk of the season, and that hints at strong coaching that maximizes talent on the roster.
Murray should be fully healthy to start 2024, and the Cardinals have more than $40 million in cap space to work with in free agency and six picks in the top 100 of the 2024 NFL Draft to continue to build out the roster (including two in the first round). Imagine someone like wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. joining this offense.
In an ever-changing NFC, it’s definitely plausible that the Cardinals stun the league this fall as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. We’re keeping a close eye on them as sleeper contenders in 2024.
