Ranking the NFL Super Bowl contenders – C.J. Stroud looks like an MVP for Houston Texans but Aaron Rodgers’ New York Jets fail first test

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

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 to pull off a Super Bowl trophy three-peat.

There's $60-million-a-year Dak Prescott and the $10 billion Dallas Cowboys, who have serious talent but more doubters than ever.

Lamar Jackson and the revenge-seeking Baltimore Ravens, who added powerhouse running back Derrick Henry this offseason but fell to the Chiefs again in the season opener.  

And the Brock Purdy-led San Francisco 49ers, who reminded the NFL on Monday Night Football that Aaron Rodgers is getting old.

With Week 1 in the books and Tom Brady still figuring out how to properly announce football on TV, 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.

And we'll be back every week....

10. Los Angeles Chargers (1-0, last week: unranked)

Welcome back to the Not For Long league, Jim Harbaugh.

The other NFL Harbaugh brother started 1-0 by beating up on the hopeless Las Vegas Raiders.

Justin Herbert only threw for 144 yards but he was efficient, leaned on a strong running game, and allowed the Chargers' defense to do the rest.

Second place in the AFC West is up for grabs in 2024.

The NFL is a better place with both Harbaughs in it.

Jim knows how to win – with and without Connor Stalions – and he’s re-energized a franchise that was sliding backward.

9. Miami Dolphins (1-0, last week: unranked)

Not even a pair of handcuffs could get in Miami’s way.

NFL fans were again reminded that the Dolphins can unleash the most dangerous offense in the league, while Tyreek Hill put Noah Lyles in the rear view.

It all came together for Miami in the second half on Sunday.

Another Jacksonville Jaguars letdown led to a 20-17 home win over the in-state rivals, offering the latest proof that Tua Tagovailoa, Mike McDaniel and Hill are almost unstoppable when they’re in rhythm.

The Dolphins started hot in 2023, then faded.

Miami must keep moving up this list to prove it’s for real this season.

8. Buffalo Bills (1-0, last week: 7th)

Losing Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans didn't help.

Neither does Josh Allen’s iffy left hand, with Buffalo’s franchise QB being forced to proclaim that he’s “not a doctor” after the Bills barely beat the Arizona Cardinals at home.

The positive is that Buffalo put up 34 points and started 1-0 without Diggs.

The negative is that the Bills trailed 17-3 and almost lost to an Arizona squad that finished 4-13 a year ago.

Buffalo is still a top 10 team but reaching the Super Bowl will be a season-long climb.

More than ever, it all comes down to Allen.

7. Dallas Cowboys (1-0, last week: 10th)

Now that Dak Prescott is the highest paid quarterback in NFL history, there’s no stopping the Cowboys.

Jerry Jones finally financially rewarded his best players.

The initial result was encouraging.

Dallas destroyed Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns, leaving Brady without much to stay and reminding fans once again that the Cowboys have serious Super Bowl talent.

The problem in Big D is always the playoffs.

But Week 1 was an early warning.

Dallas really is all-in in 2024, and the Cowboys can’t afford any more excuses.

6. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0, last week: 6th)

Two words, one name.

Saquon Barkley.

It was a huge deal for the New York Giants and an even bigger in-division signing for the Eagles, who pried away a prime talent within the annually intense NFC East.

In Brazil, Barkley rolled for three big touchdowns, while the Eagles held off the Green Bay Packers for a strong 34-29 international win.

Starting 2-0 is highly realistic for Jason Kelce’s old team.

A home game awaits against Atlanta, which might already be regretting overpaying Kirk Cousins.

5. Baltimore Ravens (0-1, last week: 4^th)

One of the most talented teams in the NFL just needs to find a way past the Kansas City Chiefs.

Again.

Lamar Jackson was good, but not good enough, against Patrick Mahomes.

John Harbaugh was outcoached by Andy Reid.

The Ravens fell to Kansas City in a big game.

Sound familiar?

The annually recurring theme repeated itself in Week 1.

Thankfully for Baltimore, there are still 16 games to go.

As long as the Ravens can find a way past the Chiefs in the playoffs, starting 0-1 won’t matter.

4. Houston Texans (1-0, last week: 5^th)

How about them Texans?

The best team in the state of Texas is a legit Week 2 Super Bowl contender.

In a month, they could be the AFC favorites if C.J. Stroud keeps carving up the league.

DeMeco Ryans and his second-year QB have completely changed the Texans, who've taken the biggest leap in the NFL in one year.

Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs were also Week 1 winners, and a tough road win in Indianapolis only increased expectations.

The Texans are getting closer and closer to the top of the AFC.

3. San Francisco 49ers (1-0, last week: 3rd)

The new season started like the last season.

San Francisco can put up points and possesses one of the premier offenses in the NFL.

No Christian McCaffrey, no problem.

Enter Jordan Mason, who wrecked fantasy leagues everywhere by running for 147 yards and a TD, even though no one had heard of him before Week 1.

The 49ers might be the most underrated team in the league.

And they’re a minute away from being reigning Super Bowl champions.

2. Detroit Lions (1-0, last week: 2^nd)

Like the Texans, the Lions just win.

Detroit needed overtime to hold off the Los Angeles Rams and trailed 20-17 late in the fourth quarter at home.

But the Lions proved again they deserved their national TV platform, winning 26-20 in a thriller.

Gritty Dan Campbell and an efficient Jared Goff have completely turned around Detroit football.

It’s a long way to February.

But the Lions are already dreaming of New Orleans.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1-0, last week: 1^st)

Taylor Swift was an afterthought in Week 1.

Patrick Mahomes gave the Baltimore Ravens fashion advice -- wear white shoes next time, guys.

Travis Kelce was the Chiefs’ fourth-best receiver in a big season-opening win, which tells you how impressive Kansas City looks again in 2024.

The only thing stopping the Chiefs right now is the Chiefs.