Sloan Jambor ‘26, Copy Editor
Within the first few weeks of the NFL season, numerous teams have proved themselves worthy of recognition. Even with the preseason predictions, there is no real determining what teams are actually capable of. With that being said, let’s take a look at the teams that are showing superstar stats and have the ability to take home a trophy this year.
Detroit Lions: With the successful legacy season the Lions left behind last year, there was no doubt that they were going to come into the 2024 season with a bang. The team is currently second in their division with an impressive 4-1 record. Junior Jacob Howton said, “The Lions are going to bite their opponents’ kneecaps off on the way to the Super Bowl.” Though Aidan Hutchinson, the Lion’s star defensive end, recently broke his tibia and fibula during their dynamite performance against the Cowboys, the Lions have no reason to be eliminated from playoff contention. The Lions are no doubt a team predicted to make a long run this upcoming season as long as the remainder of them stay healthy and play their game.
Minnesota Vikings: This team’s performance was the definition of starting off hot. The Vikings are currently sitting comfortably in first place in the NFC North with a solid 5-0 record. Though they may not have the season they wanted last year, there is definitely a change in pace this year. With Sam Darnold as the quarterback, the Vikings are showing exceptional growth from last season and have a high chance of being playoff contenders this season.
Kansas City Chiefs: The obvious superstar team, with their four superbowl wins, has continued their reign into the 2024 season. The Chiefs are sitting first in their division with a solid 5-0 start. The team is stacked with talented players, and with quarterback Patrick Mahomes paired with a strong defense, there is no doubt that fans will see more of the Chiefs in the upcoming playoffs as they hope to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.
Buffalo Bills: As per usual, quarterback Josh Allen is performing to the standard to which Buffalo holds him: excellence. With James Cook in the backfield, the Bills are leading their division with a 3-2 start to the season, but the question is, how long will they maintain it, and will they be able to finally make it further in the playoffs? Junior Skylar McGlinch said, “I think Josh Allen is good enough to bring the team to the playoffs on his own. I don’t know if his supporting cast will be good enough, but Josh Allen will be sure to get the job done.” With a history of getting eliminated early in playoffs, Bills fans may not want to get their hopes too high, but who knows, this could be their year.
Baltimore Ravens: The truth is, this team is just plain fun to watch. The way quarterback Lamar Jackson can take the ball himself, throw a solid pass, or let running back Derrick Henry take charge to get unreal yardage is unstoppable, and the Ravens are almost always guaranteed to put up some big numbers against their opponents. While the Ravens are second in their division, there is sure to be a climb in their standing, and it is predicted that they will be a power force in the later parts of the season.
Houston Texans: With such a deep roster of talent and quarterback CJ Stroud leading his young offensive powerhouse, it is obvious that the Texans are deserving of their current state of first in their division. The Texans have a current record of 5-1, and while they may not be favored to be Super Bowl champions, they are still a threat that should be watched carefully, not just this year, but in the years that follow this young team.
Washington Commanders: With such a strong 4-2 start, the Commanders have proved themselves early on as a team that deserves recognition for their hard work. Though that may be true, the Commanders schedule is set to only get more challenging from here, and the real challenges for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels are bound to spark soon. The strong start will either continue to grow and get stronger, or it could go in the wrong direction and leave the Commanders looking weak.
San Francisco 49ers: Though the team has faced some tough losses early on, there is no reason to count out the talent that this team holds. With quarterback Brock Purdy ready to amp up the team through thick and thin, the 49ers are always a threat that should not be reckoned with, and they could easily be seen in the postseason playoffs if they stay healthy.
With all of these power-driven teams, there is no guarantee who is truly going to take charge and win the Super Bowl, but it sure will be fun to watch the competition unfold. This upcoming NFL season will be a good one, so make sure you tune in and are there through every pass, run, sack, and interception. Put on your favorite player’s jersey, get your favorite game day snacks out and ready, and make sure you are ready for each action packed Thursday, Sunday, and Monday packed with NFL games.
Lyon Life 