How Each Team Can Win the Super Bowl

by Ethan Lemler and Collin Ferguson

RAVENS

After they handled the Texans on Saturday, the Ravens have made it clear to the rest of the league that they are the team to beat. After a shaky first half, which found the Ravens going into the break tied with Houston, Lamar and the Baltimore Ravens were able to take over in the second half and became the team that has now defeated eight teams with winning records by 14 or more points. The Ravens showed against the Texans and showed that unlike in 2019 when the Ravens solely relied on Lamar Jackson, the defense is a force to be reckoned with. Only letting up 3 total points against an offense that had just dropped 31 on a very solid Cleveland Browns defense, and not letting the Texans within the red zone throughout the entire game, the defense led by Mike Mcdonald is the key for the Ravens to win the Superbowl. It would be simple to state that the presumptuous MVP would be the key to a Superbowl victory, and you would not be wrong, but the fact is this team can do it all. While Lamar Jackson was incredible on Saturday, it will be the defense that leads the Ravens to the third Super Bowl.

CHIEFS

Unlike the Ravens, the key factor for the Chiefs to win the Superbowl is the simple answer, Patrick Mahomes. The two-time MVP and two-time Superbowl winner proved on Sunday that he has the ability to go into a hostile environment like Buffalo and escape with a victory. Throwing for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, while it was not the greatest performance ever, it was enough to take down the number two-seeded Bills. There is a lot to talk about regarding this Kansas City team, whether it is the defense, led by Lajarius Snead and Chris Jones, or the running game of Isaiah Pacheco who was three short of a 100-yard performance on Sunday, this Chiefs team has a much different look than Mahomes’ teams of the past. With a lackluster wide receiver corps and an aging Travis Kelce, it seems this offense is relying on Mahomes to pull out his tricks more than any team he has led before. It is clear that in order for Mahomes to secure his third win, he will have to be the X-factor.

LIONS

The impossible has finally occurred – the Lions haven’t only won one, but two playoff games. The same team who went 0-16 a little over a decade ago is now just one game away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in NFL History. So, how is Dan Campbell’s rag-tag team of kneecap-biting football players going to complete the impossible?

The Lions had a terrific NFL draft. After General Manager Brad Holmes finished collecting rookies in April by spending first-round picks on Jhamyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell, as well as two second-rounders on Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta, many believed the Lions were working backward, spending valuable draft capital on positions that just didn’t seem worthwhile. However, the young stars were critical to Detroit’s success, led by record-setting performances from LaPorta and Gibbs. The production from these young players, as well as from season veterans like Aiden Hutchinson, were crucial to the Lions playoff run so far. Now, if Detroit intends to finish this push, they’ll need to rely on Jared Goff. Goff’s offense currently sits at 5th in points scored and 3rd in total yards per game. Goff has a second chance at the big game, one that comes very rarely in the NFL. The only thing left to ask is how consistently he can continue to play.

NINERS

Mr. Relevant is back in the NFC Championship for the second straight year in his young career. The one seed in the NFC is looking to make the Super Bowl for the first time since the comeback loss to Kansas City in 2020, and this time doesn’t find themselves riddled with injury. Brock Purdy’s elbow seems intact, and he has his entire offensive support staff on the field and ready to go. This year, the 49ers offense has been nothing short of special all season long, boasting a third-ranked unit in points per game, and a second-place finish in total yards per game. The Niners have only been held under 20 points once this season, and it’s this terrifying offense that will continue to be nightmarish for opposing defenses to handle. Even worse, the San Fran defense ranks first in takeaways on the season, allowing Purdy’s forces to capitalize on terrific field position. San Fransisco is in the perfect position to complete their spectacular year with a Super Bowl title, but they have to continue to play at this high level. The Kyle Shannahan system is not built for a comeback, and the 49ers could find themselves in danger should they begin to slip.