As I’m sure you know, Super Bowl wins in the NFL are extremely hard to come by (just ask the Buffalo Bills, sorry Bills fans). Only one team can win the top prize every season, but that doesn’t mean other teams can’t have high hopes. Unfortunately for some, those hopes are unwarranted, or they no longer have the same chances that they once did.
Let’s get into 5 teams whose Super Bowl window is wide open; and 5 others whose window is closed.
OPEN – San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers window is as wide open as anyone on this list, and it has been open for a while, albeit not to this level. They are completely steamrolling the rest of the NFL this season and show no signs of slowing down.
Brock Purdy has looked like a top 10 QB, Christian McCaffrey is the best dual-threat RB in the NFL, and the Niners defense looks like one of, if not, the best in the league. They are really good and will be for a while under Kyle Shanahan.
CLOSED – Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have been in the “we think we’re there, but we aren’t quite sure yet” group for years now. I think that the whole offense needs an overhaul, the defense can only carry them so far. Kenny Pickett isn’t dynamic enough to overcome Pittsburgh’s struggles on offense. Also, the AFC is LOADED at QB and will only continue to improve. The Steelers seem to be getting left in the dust.
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OPEN – Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have an All-Time historic offense right now. They have 2 (arguably) Top 10 receivers in the league with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, along with speedster rookie RB Devin Achane. Their defense isn’t excellent, but I trust Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio to figure it out eventually. Mike McDaniel has been a home run hire at Head Coach and has elevated Tua Tagovailoa into an MVP candidate this season. They are a young team that will keep getting better.
CLOSED – Tennessee Titans
The Titans were the #1 seed in the AFC just 2 seasons ago, ahead of the likes of the Chiefs and Bills. That seems like ages ago now. The Titans are an aging team with an aging superstar RB in Derrick Henry that they rely on and a middling QB in Ryan Tannehill that can’t truly compete with the top dogs in the AFC.
They drafted Kentucky QB Will Levis for a reason, they know what they have in Tannehill. The issue with that? He couldn’t beat out Malik Willis for the backup QB spot, a QB that they drafted a year before and had ALREADY given up on. I feel that a hard reset is imminent.
OPEN – Detroit Lions
The Lions being on the good side on one of these lists? Who would’ve imagined that 2 seasons ago? But they deserve their flowers. QB Jared Goff looks reinvigorated under Dan Campbell after being basically “thrown into” the Matthew Stafford trade. The Lions defense is extremely young, speedy, and downright dominant. These Lions look like serious contenders in the NFC, and as an NFL fan, is very exciting to see.
CLOSED – Dallas Cowboys
This pick might be a hot take, but I have 0 confidence in the duo of Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott to lead this team to the promised land. Their defense is really good and may be best In the NFL. Ceedee Lamb and Tony Pollard are good weapons in the passing game. But every time people start to believe in Dallas, they lay an egg.
Maybe it’s the pressure of playing for “America’s Team”. Regardless, I can’t see Dak Prescott elevating his game enough to lead them to a Super Bowl. He’s a fine QB that makes Patrick Mahomes-level money. Dallas may need to ask themselves some tough questions soon.
OPEN – Buffalo Bills
After coming out flat in Week 1 against the Jets, the Bills have been excellent. Josh Allen has overcome the “He’s only good with Brian Daboll” chatter, and the Bills defense has been rolling. The running game (or lack thereof) scares me, and they have suffered some key injuries in important spots; but with Josh Allen at QB they will always have a chance to be a Super Bowl team. It might not be this year, but they are due for a championship in the next couple seasons.
CLOSED – Minnesota Vikings
The opposite of the 49ers, the Vikings are the team with the window the tightest shut. Kirk Cousins can’t elevate in big moments, Justin Jefferson is unhappy and there is chatter that he could request out, their defense is horrendous in all aspects.
Minnesota was the best team in the league when it came to one score games last season, and it helped them become a playoff team, but that is far from the case this season. It seems to me a full rebuild could be underway, starting with drafting a QB in this years loaded QB draft.
OPEN – Baltimore Ravens
Its unfortunate that the Ravens can’t seem to stay healthy every single year, because they have a solid team that seems to be playing playoff football no matter what circumstances they’re dealing with. Lamar Jackson is just a baller and has a winning percentage of roughly 75%.
John Harbaugh is a top tier Head Coach and Baltimore’s defense seems to always be elite no matter the players. Thankfully, Lamar is still young, and Harbaugh looks like he’s around for the long haul. Like Buffalo, I feel like the Ravens are bound to get a ring sooner or later. They are too good and well run not to.
CLOSED – New England Patriots
I don’t even know where to begin with this team. I’m not sure they are particularly good at any position on the whole team. They look and play slow and outdated, and their performance on the field shows that as well.
The game has evolved, and the Patriots are stuck in quicksand. Bill Belichick’s days as the Patriots Head Coach may be numbered, as it’s rumored that he and Owner Robert Kraft are at odds. It’s been a fall from grace for the Patriots, after their 20-year dominance with Tom Brady.
They have no talent across the board, and Bill Belichick Is probably the worst GM in the league. Its time to clean house everywhere, players and coaching staff. It isn’t going to be a fun next couple of years, Patriots fans.
