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We are slowly and surely coming to a stage where we can take educated guesses about who the Super Bowl contenders are and who is merely there to make up the numbers. Week 14 did not see much change in who can still be considered Super Bowl contenders from last week, except the Arizona Cardinals, who lost their number one ranking in the NFC.
The Cardinals have now lost three games this season, two of them to the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams, two other Super Bowl aspirants, which caused us to doubt their staying power and saw them fall out of the Super Bowl contenders category.
We look at the top 5 Super Bowl contenders, who by virtue of their overall record and their form going into Week 15 can be justifiably called favorites for the crown.
Super Bowl contenders in the NFC
#1 - Green Bay Packers
The new top seeds in the NFC, and best team in the NFL right now, are justifiably one of the top Super Bowl contenders. They have been in fine form throughout the season, showing remarkable consistency to reach a 10-3 record.
Also Read: 5 Super Bowl contenders after Week 13 of 2021 NFL season
The best thing going for the Green Bay Packers is that so far their defense has been carrying the load with the offense muted. But in the game against the Chicago Bears, the offense, and especially Aaron Rodgers, showed signs of getting back to their best. They put up some 45 points against the Chicago Bears, coming up big in Week 14.
But one area of concern for the Green Bay Packers has to be their special teams, which had a bad day. They gave up a touchdown on a punt return and nearly let in two more touchdowns that were saved by penalty calls. If they legitimately wish to remain in the Super Bowl contenders conversation, that is one area they need to improve on.
#2 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers marched on in serene fashion in Week 14 as they engineered another win to join the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals with a 10-3 record. Tom Brady is having another MVP caliber season and their next few games are the weakest anyone has to face in the league.
They have won their last four games, which is the best run in the NFC right now. And looking at their future matchups, it seems very likely that they will sweep all comers in the coming weeks. Right now, there is a good chance that such a schedule will eventually help them pip the Packers to the NFC top seed and put them in an even more favorable position to be considered Super Bowl contenders.
Also Check Out: Complete NFL Week 15 TV Schedule
Super Bowl contenders in the AFC
#1 - New England Patriots
Of all the Super Bowl contenders, none are in as hot a form now as the New England Patriots are. They did not play this week, but it would still be a travesty to leave them off the list of Super Bowl contenders. After all, they are still the number one ranked team in the AFC.
They have their last seven games and that has included vanquishing previous Super Bowl contenders such as the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans. Bill Belichick, after a poor last season, has got a quarterback of his own choice and the defense is as tight as anyone in the league. They should definitely be the favorites among Super Bowl contenders from the AFC.
#2 - Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs were on our list of Super Bowl contenders last time as well, and they further cemented their spot in Week 14, joining the New England Patriots with a 9-4 record in the AFC.
Also Read: 5 Super Bowl pretenders after Week 13 of 2021 NFL season
It's not just their record, though. They are in a hot run of form having won their last six matches. And if anyone saw their last game against their fierce rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, they would have been left with no doubt that they are definite Super Bowl contenders. They scored 48 points and limited their opposition to just 9 points. It was as close to a perfect game as one can get.
The Kansas City Chiefs also have the added pedigree of having a core group of players who know what it means to be a Super Bowl contender, having reached the championship game in the last couple of seasons. They will be hoping to go all the way this season as well.
#3 - Tennessee Titans
The Arizona Cardinals' loss is the Tennessee Titans' gain. As the Cardinals exhibited their penchant for losing against top teams this week, the Tennessee Titans vaulted into our list of Super Bowl contenders after joining the Chiefs and Patriots with a 9-4 record in the AFC.
They played a perfect game in Week 14, shutting out the Jaguars. The offense varied, the defense dominated. Considering that the strength of their division is not that great, they can take the opportunity to really build up a head of steam heading into the playoffs. And guess who they can have back in the playoffs?
When Derrick Henry comes back, the Tennessee Titans will definitely be Super Bowl contenders. Having done so well in his absence makes us believe they can go all the way when he returns to action.
