As the 2024 NFL season kicks off, people wonder which teams have the abilities and skills to make it to the playoffs or even win the Super Bowl and put up the most challenge on the field. 

New players get drafted yearly, which can change how a team performs completely. When talking about making it to the playoffs, the problems the team is having won’t hold up if they continue. Teams like the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots all suffer because of different issues sabotaging their chances. The problem with the Jets is unique because it’s not necessarily about the skill level of the players but is more of a health issue and keeps injuring their strongest players. 

“Jets aren’t gonna make it to the playoffs because they can’t stay healthy; everyone is getting injured,” said Shawn Walker, a fantasy football member from Cary High School. 

Another example of a team with a unique issue that the team can’t control is the Panthers. The problem the Panthers need help with revolves around the fact that they can’t make good draft picks because of their contracts with current players. Last year, they drafted Bryce Young as their quarterback, and he plummeted to the second-to-last position of the least yard per pass, scoring a low 4.4. They also gave up wide receiver D.J. Moore in exchange for Young, which hurt the team significantly since Moore is a great player. The players are just some of the people to blame, though; the team has had so many different coaches that it is difficult for them to keep relearning the coach’s strategies. Since 2002, the Panthers coach has changed eight times, which is almost a new coach every three years.

“Panthers aren’t making it because they can’t keep a solid team. They move coaches around a lot and don’t make good draft picks,” said Walker. 

There are also reasons that some teams are doing so much better than others; teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions all have many redeeming qualities that push them far ahead in their chances to win the Superbowl. For example, as of week seven, the Chiefs haven’t lost a game, and because of their former Superbowl win, they already know what it takes to succeed in the playoffs, which puts them far ahead of any of the other teams that are competing.

“Chiefs are making it to the playoffs because they are already 6-0, and they are motivated to do a three-peat, winning 3 Superbowls in a row,” said Ryan Bartley a fantasy football member from Athens Drive High School.

Another team that competes with the Chiefs is the Ravens.  Their defense is outmatched and has held up against all of the teams they have faced, putting them in a good position for the playoffs. Their offense has also been very strong since running back Derrick Henry joined the team during the offseason. Most teams struggle to have a good defense or offense, and the Ravens have managed to have both.

“Ravens are making it to the playoffs because they have had an elite defense and a way better offense with the addition of Derrick Henry over the offseason,” said  Bartley.

There are an infinite amount of possibilities and reasons that a team win the Superbowl, some can be controlled, and some can’t. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens would be an amazing game to watch. Both teams deserve to win, but only one is going to come out on top.

“Any team can win the Superbowl; decisions made by players and coaches affect the chances,” said Walker.