The Rising AFC Super Bowl Contenders
After another uncertain week of football, the playoff picture is shaping more and more. Certain teams that were expected to contend for the Super Bowl are now entering a strange slump while other squads are quietly making their names known. The NFL season has been an “every given week” situation, where nothing really makes sense sometimes, except what happens on that specific week. With that being said, there are two AFC teams I want to direct attention towards as potential contenders based on recent results.
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan
When it comes to the Baltimore Ravens, no one necessarily “sleeps” on this team. Given that the Ravens have been inconsistent on the teams they beat and lose to, this past week’s demolition of the Lions has proposed an argument or two. 1) The Ravens are a Super Bowl contender and 2) The Ravens may have the potential MVP on their team in QB Lamar Jackson. Both are strong claims to make, but if you view the team at a peak level of demonstration, the Ravens look deadly. Lamar’s four total-touchdown days and a 38-6 victory over a Lions team that at the time was the NFC’s number one seed tells a new story. Lamar is efficient and single-handedly willing to this team dominance. Aside from fluke-ish losses to the Colts due to game-changing flags and a Steelers defeat where five catches, with one that would’ve been a touchdown, were dropped, the Ravens are a force to be reckoned with. If this team plays a level of team ball that they did against an objectively good team this past Sunday, it might not be crazy to believe that Baltimore could be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl.
Photo Credit: Gary McCullough
The more underrated team in this category is the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a rough 1-2 start to the season, this team has gone on a four-game winning streak, re-solidifying this unit as both a formidable opponent and a potential Super Bowl contender. A championship may be a bold ceiling to declare for this team, but the confidence and talent that is being displayed by the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, etc. is at an efficient level right now. A level that is helping this team either win decisively or close out games that come to the wire. While the Jags’ schedule should have a couple of advantageous matchups, there are some heavy hitters such as the 49ers and Ravens. With continued grit and dedication to the team’s strengths, the potential to take these matchups may be higher than one expects. At the end of the day, don’t disregard the Jaguars because they may make you pay in the Winter.
