5 Super Bowl contenders after Week 9 of 2021 NFL season

Minnesota Vikings v Baltimore Ravens

#3 - Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens simply cannot be counted out as NFL contenders as long as Lamar Jackson is healthy. The dynamic quarterback not only threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns in Week 9, but also ran for 120 yards in the Ravens' victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

He is carrying the running game on his back and also got some nice contributions from both Devonta Freeman and Le'Veon Bell on Sunday. The trio combined for 245 yards, wiping away preseason concerns about the state of the running back position in Baltimore.

The win gets Baltimore to 6-2 with a game against Miami in Week 10. The AFC North may be stacked, but the Ravens remain the clear favorite.

#2 - Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans lost Derrick Henry to an injury, yet they sit atop the AFC through Week 9. The Titans defense stepped up Sunday to shut down the Rams offense, flipping the narrative of who was the real Super Bowl contender in that matchup.

The signing of Adrian Peterson was a big one for Tennessee. His performance on Sunday proved he was still getting back into NFL shape, but he should improve with time. Having him on goal-line situations does not replace Henry, but it is still a great consolation.

The Titans already hold a three-game lead in the AFC South, and now the focus is on fighting for the lone bye in the conference come January.

#1 - Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals were without key players all over the field in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. That did not seem to matter as Colt McCoy guided the team to a win in a game that saw James Conner finish with a total of three touchdowns.

The Cardinals are deep in talent, and the way they embarrassed the 49ers proves they are on another level in 2021. Imagine what the score would have been if Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins had been healthy.

The Rams are Arizona's top competition in the NFC West, and Week 9 saw both teams go in opposite directions. If the Cardinals are winning with McCoy, having Murray healthy slots them in as the top Super Bowl favorite at 8-1 this season.