The 2023/24 NFL season has come to an end, with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling Super Bowl 58 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Chiefs have now clinched their second consecutive Super Bowl win and third in the Patrick Mahomes era, igniting the next great dynasty of the National Football League.
But the NFL never sleeps, and the teams are already looking ahead to the next season, hoping to improve their chances of reaching the ultimate game.
The 2024/25 season will culminate in Super Bowl 59, set to be played at the iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025. Which franchises have the best chances to emerge as champions? Here are the top five contenders, according to top betting sites.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Despite falling short of the ultimate goal this season, the 49ers are the favourites to win the Super Bowl next year. They have a balanced and explosive offense, led by quarterback Brock Purdy, who had the highest QBR and passer rating in the league, and running back Christian McCaffrey, who cemented his place as the top running back in the league.
They also have two outstanding wide receivers in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, the latter of whom is expected to remain a 49er.
Their defense is stacked with talent, such as edge rusher Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner, and cornerback Charvarius Ward. They ranked first in offensive DVOA and red-zone conversions, and second in defensive DVOA and points allowed.
They dominated the NFC playoffs, beating the Lions and the Eagles by double digits, and are poised to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions, and have the best player in the NFL in Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes threw for over 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns, and led the Chiefs to a 11-6 record and the top seed in the AFC West.
He has several lethal weapons who will still be under contract, such as tight end Travis Kelce, who many argue is the greatest tight end of all time, and explosive young receivers like Rashee Rice, Mecole Hardman, and second-year running back Isiah Pacheco.
The Chiefs also have a formidable defense as well, which ranked fourth in DVOA and third in points allowed. They have a fearsome pass rush, led by Chris Jones and Nick Karlaftis, and a ball-hawking secondary, led by L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie.
They breezed through the AFC playoffs, beating the Dolphins, Bills, and Ravens, and are looking to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles.
3. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have the reigning MVP in Lamar Jackson, who is an elite dual-threat quarterback who can beat opposing defenses with his arm or his legs. Jackson threw for over 3,500 yards and 24 touchdowns, and ran for nearly 700 yards and 5 touchdowns.
He also has several reliable targets, including tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely and young stud receiver Zay Flowers. The Ravens also have a strong running game, with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards forming a potent one-two punch.
Their defense is also one of the best in the league, ranking third in DVOA and second in points allowed. They have a stout front seven, led by Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, and a lockdown secondary, led by Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Williams, and Kyle Hamilton.
Despite losing to the eventual champion Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, the Ravens remain one of the best teams in the National Football League.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have been in playoff contention since drafting quarterback Josh Allen in 2018, but they have yet to make a Super Bowl appearance.
Allen had an MVP-caliber season in 2023 and he also has one of the NFL’s top wide receivers in Stefon Diggs, who just posted his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season. The Bills also have a promising young running back in James Cook, who averaged 4.7 yards per carry and ran for 1,122 yards, good for fourth in the league.
Their defense is solid, ranking seventh in DVOA and sixth in points allowed. They have a talented pass rush, led by Ed Oliver and Gregory Rousseau, and a playmaking secondary, led by Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer.
They won the AFC East for the fourth straight year, and beat the Steelers in the playoffs, before falling to Kansas City in the divisional round.
5. Detroit Lions
The Lions were on the verge of making their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, before blowing a 24-7 halftime lead in the NFC championship game against the 49ers.
They have a young and talented roster, with quarterback Brock Purdy, who was the runner up for league MVP, throwing for 4,280 yards along with 31 TDs and a 69% pass completion.
They also have a dynamic duo of pass catchers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie standout Sam LaPorta, as well as young speedster Jameson Williams.
Their defense is also impressive, ranking fifth in DVOA and fourth in points allowed. They have a dominant edge rusher in Aidan Hutchinson, who had 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, and a versatile safety in Brian Branch, who had three interceptions and 74 tackles.
They won the NFC North division for the first time in over 30 years, and beat the Rams and Bucs in the playoffs, before falling short in the conference title game.
Conclusion
These are the top five contenders to win the Super Bowl in 2025, according to the betting markets. Of course, anything can happen in the NFL, and there are other teams that can make a run for the title, such as the Cincinnati Bengals, the Miami Dolphins, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Philadelphia Eagles, to name a few.
The NFL is a league of parity and unpredictability, and that is what makes it the most entertaining sports league in the world. Who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans on February 9, 2025? We will have to wait and see. But one thing is guaranteed: it will be a thrilling and memorable season.
