NFL Super Bowl contenders ranked and rated – Shock AFC team cracks top 10 while Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs move up

The second after the Kansas City Chiefs won another Super Bowl, the countdown began to LIX in New Orleans.

The NFL is the league that never stops, and there are serious contenders throughout the AFC and NFC hoping to prevent Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and the Chiefs from becoming the first franchise in history to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat.

An unpredictable start to the season has been captured by the only two remaining undefeated teams in the league.

Minnesota collected a gritty win in London, moving to 5-0 after getting in Aaron Rodgers' face at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Back in the United States, the Kansas City Chiefs dominated "Monday Night Football" on a night when Taylor Swift was again the talk of TV and social media.

Here is talkSPORT's look at the top 10 Super Bowl contenders on the long road to the Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans.

We’ll be back every week …

10. Atlanta Falcons, (3-2, last week: unranked)

It’s been a messy five weeks on the field for the NFL.

The Falcons at No. 10 captures that fact.

Kirk Cousins has looked both old and brilliant.

Atlanta is 3-2, while Cincinnati is 1-4 and San Francisco is 2-3.

Winning defines all in the NFL, and the Falcons have cracked the top 10.

You like that?

9. Denver Broncos, (3-2, last week: unranked)

Another surprise team in a year initially dominated by parity.

Sean Payton and Bo Nix are getting into it on the sidelines, but the Broncos are winning games again.

Being above .500 is a big deal for Denver.

That rarely happened last year, and Nix has clearly been a difference maker during his rookie season.

8. Buffalo Bills, (3-2, last week: 6th)

Danger, Buffalo. Danger.

The freefalling Bills are on the verge of falling out of the top 10.

Sean McDermott giftwrapped the Houston Texans a Week 5 win, while Josh Allen was banged up and could barely complete a pass.

A few weeks ago, Buffalo looked like the real deal.

In Week 6, the Bills are in trouble and must right themselves.

Welcome to 2024 in the NFL.

7. Dallas Cowboys, (3-2, last week: unranked)

That’s more like it, Dallas.

While Troy Aikman gets in trouble with Taylor Swift fans, the Cowboys are winning games they should win.

Back-to-back victories have Jerry Jones’ favorite toy back in the top 10.

Finding a way to the top of the NFC East is Dallas’ next big test.

6. Washington Commanders, (4-1, last week: ninth)

Jayden Daniels is the MVP through five weeks, and that sums up Washington’s scorching turnaround.

The Commanders are playing like a completely different team, while Daniels is making Caleb Williams look like a No. 2 pick.

Washington hasn’t lost since Week 1.

This week, it’s Daniels against Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

Buckle up.

5. Houston Texans, (4-1, last week: 5th)

All the Texans do is win.

It became tense in Houston last Sunday.

But thanks to Sean McDermott apparently being a huge Texans fan, the AFC South’s best squad added more positive momentum.

Injuries and penalties have been overcome by C.J. Stroud’s second-year consistency.

The QB who should have gone No. 1 overall in 2023 has completed 68.9 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and a 98.2 rating this season.

4. Baltimore Ravens, (3-2, last week: 4th)

The Ravens are on a roll.

Thanks to Cincinnati’s bad hold on a field goal, Baltimore received an extra life in overtime and Justin Tucker came through again.

With Derrick Henry romping and Lamar Jackson playing off the NFL’s leading rusher, the Ravens are starting to look like they should.

Dominant.

3. Minnesota Vikings, (5-0, last week: 2nd)

Sam Darnold returned to reality in London.

But the Vikings were victorious at Tottenham, while pushing Aaron Rodgers closer toward retirement.

The biggest test for Minnesota this season could be within the division.

The NFC North isn’t for weaklings in 2024.

2. Detroit Lions, (3-1, last week: 1st)

The Lions were No. 1 the week prior and only fell backward because of an early bye.

The game of the week this week is in Dallas, with Detroit entering Jerry World rested and primed.

This is a cross-country matchup that the Lions need to win, especially with the Vikings waiting in Week 7.

1. Kansas City Chiefs, (5-0, last week: 3rd)

Welcome back, champs.

Kansas City showed its best self on Monday Night Football.

Travis Kelce was in Pro Bowl form.

Patrick Mahomes again broke 300 passing yards.

Kareem Hunt dialed it back to 2018, giving Kansas City another offensive weapon.

When the Chiefs click, it’s easy to picture them back in the big game -- and winning it all again.