Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and the Eagles opens with Kansas City as 1.5-point favorites. The back-to-back defending champions remain in the top slot in the Super Bowl power rankings as they look to make history with a three-peat.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (17-2) | Last week: 1
While the Lions were my postseason pick to win it all, I had the Chiefs as my preseason selection because a lot of what’s played out in the AFC playoffs—they just find a way to win (whether the officiating plays an impactful role in that or not, as has become the story). Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo with an extra week to prepare has been terror for opposing teams throughout their magical run.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (17-3) | Last week: 2
The Eagles’ 55 points in the NFC title game were the most in a conference championship game in league history. The group is extremely confident on both sides of the ball, and now it’s about having a tremendous gameplan and soundly outplaying—i.e., leaving no doubt against—a Kansas City squad that’s won by far an NFL record 17 consecutive one-score games. Of course, superstar runner Saquon Barkley could be a difference-maker in the rematch from a couple of seasons ago, but Jalen Hurts again connecting with big plays to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will be critical.
3. Buffalo Bills (15-5) | Last week: 3
Most NFL fans feel badly for Josh Allen, who individually has obviously done more than enough to win a championship by now—and you don’t get an unlimited number of chances to get this far in a season. However, at least this was seen by many as a re-tool type of year for the Bills, who must now do a good job of hitting on impactful players in this year’s draft with three picks in the first two rounds. I also think we’ll see a healthier and better Dalton Kincaid at tight end in Year 3.
4. Washington Commanders (14-6) | Last week: 4
Year 1 for the Commanders led by Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels was a roaring success, and it’s fantastic news that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will remain with the franchise instead of more deeply exploring 2025 head coaching opportunities. Quinn has quickly established a winning type of culture in Washington, but—as we saw in the blowout NFC Championship Game loss—they need to beef up the roster, particularly for the long-term after bringing in so many veterans who played a big role in the quick turnaround.