My Three Super Bowl Favorites (and a Second Half Sleeper) from Each Conference

By Eric Margolin

The NFL is a league full of ups and downs. While the top teams are usually the same (i.e. the Patriots), the rest of the league is almost impossible to predict. This season specifically has been chalk full of surprises. From the high flying Eagles, to the tumbling Giants, the first half of this season has been one to remember. Two teams are still searching for their first win of the season, and almost every division is too close to even pick a favorite. If the playoffs are anything like this regular season, it will be a fun five weeks. Now that every team has played eight games, we can more clearly see their strengths and weaknesses. There are still many questions to be answered, and each one of these picks and descriptions could end up being totally wrong by the end of the season. With that in mind, here are my Super Bowl favorites and a sleeper from each conference.

AFC

1.New England Patriots

This is an easy pick. Although five of the last six Patriots games have been decided by eight points or fewer, this team has the offensive firepower to keep up with any team in the league. An offense that features one of the best quarterbacks in football, the best tight end in football, and a solid receiving core will always have a chance come playoff time. Not to mention one of the best football minds of our time in Bill Belichick. The biggest concern for this team is their lackluster defense. The Patriots defense ranks in the bottom half of the league in almost every category, and has not shown much improvement over the past nine weeks of football. This is not a good sign if “defense wins championships” However, they are 8th in the league in turnover plus/minus (+4) which could bode well for their impending playoff run.


2.Kansas City Chiefs

A team traditionally known for their stellar defense has become an offensive juggernaut in the first half of the season. They have beat opponents on the ground using rookie sensation Kareem Hunt’s combination of speed and power, while traditional game-manager Alex Smith has come alive and is 7th in the league in total QBR. With two receivers in the top 10 in receiving yards, this offense looked almost unstoppable in the first part of the season. However, the Chiefs’ defense has started to fall off this season, ranking 19th in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed. Moreover, since starting the season 5-0 the chiefs have lost three of their past four games. Because of their weak division this skid may not hurt their playoff chances, but if they don’t turn it around soon they may be knocked out early in the postseason.

 
3.Pittsburgh Steelers
​Another team that in the past has prided itself on its defense, the Steelers are being carried by their offense this season. For the third consecutive year Antonio Brown is leading the NFL in receiving, and Le’Veon Bell is in the top five in rushing. After a slow start, Big Ben has started rising in the total QBR leaders. After a humiliating loss to the Jaguars the Steelers have rattled off three straight wins and lead their division by three and a half games. Pittsburgh’s defense has been above average this year, but the team’s turnover differential is (-1). If the offense can hold onto the ball and the defense can continue their stellar play, the Steelers could be dangerous come the postseason.


Sleeper-Jacksonville Jaguars

Yes, you did read the right. The Jacksonville Jaguars are here. Their young defensive core leads the league in points allowed per game, passing yards allowed per game and sacks. This defense is no joke and needs to be taken seriously by any offense they play. On the other side of the ball, the Jags offense is led by rookie running back Leonard Fournette who is third in the league in rushing touchdowns and sixth in the league in rushing yards. However, despite all of this, it’s hard to be confident in a team led by Blake Bortles. He is 16th in the league in QBR, 23rd in passing yards, and 18th in TDs. Excluding the Ravens in 2013, teams without above-average quarterbacks don’t win Super Bowls. If Bortles can turn it around in the second half, this team has a real shot to make a deep run in the playoffs.

NFC

1.Philadelphia Eagles 

The Eagles are looking like Super Bowl favorites with an MVP at quarterback. Carson Wentz leads the league in touchdowns, is fourth in passing yards, and third in QBR, and Is showing no signs of slowing down. The Eagles offense features big play threats at wide receiver, tight end, and now running back with recent acquisition of Jay Ajayi. This offense leads the league in yards per game, is second in points, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The Eagles defense has been average this season, but sometimes that’s all you need. Despite ranking 12th in points allowed, the Eagles are an opportunistic defense that is 4th in the league in turnover differential. Everything's coming together for this Eagles time and barring a major injury, they are the favorites in a crowded NFC.


2.New Orleans Saints

I do have a slight hometown bias for my Saints, but I don’t see any reason not be excited. The Drew Brees led offense is scoring twenty points per game (10th in the NFL) with Brees throwing the 4th most yards per game in the NFL. This year is different because the Saints finally found a rushing attack. The backfield duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara is 7th in the NFL in rushing yards per game and 5th in rushing touchdowns. However, the biggest improvement in the Big Easy can be found on the defensive side of the ball. The Saints defense has been atrocious since their Super Bowl run in 2010, yet they now rank in the top half of the league in almost every defensive category. They are young, energetic, and ready to win now. That being said, the biggest flaw on this team is their youth. While the team itself is one of the oldest in the NFL, most of the defensive stars are young players who may not be ready for the big stage. But if they can rise to the challenge, watch out for the Saints come playoff time.


3.Minnesota Vikings

After losing Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook to injury early in the year, the Vikings looked like they were out of the playoff hunt. Yet, one of the best defenses in the league and an admirable performance from Case Keenum has kept the Vikings relevant. Sporting a 6-2 record in a division decimated by injuries and inconsistency, the Vikings look like a lock for the playoffs. Their prospects got even brighter with the recent announcement that former Minnesota golden boy Teddy Bridgewater has been cleared to play. Before destroying his leg last preseason, Bridgewater had a total career QBR of 87.0 and threw for over 3,000 yards in 2015. This should give a major boost to an organization that needs one if they want to make a Super Bowl push this year.


Sleeper-LA Rams

The Rams were not supposed to be good this year. After a lackluster season from star running back Todd Gurley and an awful rookie year from first overall pick Jared Goff, many experts had the Rams drafting in the top 10 for the fifth year in a row. But under new head coach Sean McVay, the Rams have seen a major turnaround. McVay, 31, has lead the team to a 6-2 record and helped turn this offense into the highest scoring unit in the league. Moreover, the Rams defense is top 10 in points allowed this season, making them a tough team beat. While many say this team’s (and coach’s) youth may be a problem come playoff time, the Rams have shown they can hang with the big boys of the NFL. If they can hold on to the division and make the playoffs, this team can make a deep run in the 2017-2018 NFL playoffs.

​Image Via Getty Images