Some would argue that this Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19th, are the best weekends for NFL football of the year. There are four playoff games, two each day, and most of these games are compelling, with several teams that are easy to support and endorse. I do not have my favorite team in the mix; whom should I support and endorse? This article aims to determine whom I should support and cheer for.
At first glance, I want the Lions to win the Super Bowl because, first of all, Detroit could use some good news, and while Michigan is under freezing weather, it would warm the hearts of many people in the Midwest, especially Michigan. The Lions have never made it to the Super Bowl, and to make it there and win would finally erase many decades of futility and losing records. I'm not a fan of a team in the North Division playing inside a dome stadium, but one wonders if their success would have been different if they had played outdoors. This speculation won't solve anything, but it's important to mention that their last championship occurred in 1957, played outside the now-defunct Briggs Stadium in Detroit. After being incorporated into the NFL in 1930, they have achieved four championships in roughly 95 years. Their coach, Dan Campbell, has the team believing that this is their year, and after winning 15 games this past season and only losing two, there's little room for debate. They've lost some key defensive players, and some players may be back as the playoff rounds go further, but I like the Lions. Plus, they have a home-field advantage throughout the playoffs (until the Super Bowl), and they excel at home despite missing several key defensive players.
The Lions play the Washington Commanders this weekend, and the Lions are favored by 9.5. The Commanders have had a very successful season with their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, leading the way with 12 victories. Last year, the Commanders were 4 - 13, so the turnaround is impressive. They have a new coach and entertainment and a new owner, and it's a surprise that they have made it to the second round of the playoffs. It's a fun, new team to support, and in my mind, it makes the NFL more compelling when the team from Washington is playoff-bound. However, I suspect that the Commanders may be a year away from seriously challenging the top contenders of the NFC, but regardless, that's why you play the game. The Commanders haven't won a Super Bowl since 1991, so some may argue it's their turn, but compared to the Lions, the team from D.C. has at least three Super Bowl victories.
I will be transparent here and say I'm pulling for the Chiefs, especially if the Lions don't make it to the Big Game. A win this year would represent three consecutive Super Bowl wins, something that's never been done in the modern era, and perhaps crown Patrick Mahomes the greatest QB ever. Without question, that would be a dynasty that would rival any other team in the Super Bowl period. Pittsburgh won four Super Bowls in six years, but there was a two-year gap between one and two and three and four. If the Chiefs take another title, they will equal the Steeler's mark of four Super Bowl wins in six years, but the Steelers never won three in a row. Troy Aikman and the Dallas Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years in the early '90s, an incredible run by the Cowboys. Purists claim that Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers were a dominant team in the 90s as they were involved in four Super Bowls and won all four – perhaps the most incredible team ever since 1967. Joe Cool had a terrific career, but what's lost on this fact is that it took the 49ers nine years to do so. Returning to Mahomes, he doesn't always have incredible statistical numbers but finds a way to win. It's hard to root against Kansas City with such a weapon at quarterback. Besides, if the Chiefs win again this year, there's a strong chance that Travis Kelsey will hang up his spikes – he still can find the open field for Mahomes, but he can't break a tackle, and his very best days are behind him. If Travis retires, NFL fans will no longer have to complain about TV networks showing Taylor Swift at Chiefs' games.
If the Lions and Chiefs don't win this year, I'd be on the Buffalo Bills bandwagon. They are the second seed in the AFC, having won 13 games. Looking back at Buffalo's playoff game, even though it started being competitive, it wasn't long before Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills were rolling on offense and defense. They dominated the Broncos for 2 1/2 quarters, which was a difference in the game. Offensively, the team can quickly move the ball, and one never knows when Allen will take off running to secure another first down. Like Minnesota, Buffalo has been to four Super Bowls, and neither team has won the big one. A match-up between Buffalo and Detroit would be historic on several levels.
Besides the Lions, Bills, and Chiefs, the Ravens' play against the Steelers was impressive. If I were Buffalo, I'd watch out for Baltimore. The Ravens of Baltimore are playing well in all three phases of their game, cooking on all three cylinders. They have a good special team. Justin Tucker, the future hall-of-fame kicker, has struggled this year but appears to have gained more confidence in his kicking over the last month or so. The Ravens struggled on defense, especially during the first eight games, but that phase appears to have been corrected. Their defense is not like the old Ravens, but it is still respectable. This is their year, although that was said about the Ravens last year. When will they be with this team if they can't at least make it to the Super Bowl? On offense, they have Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry, two future players whose busts will be displayed in Canton years from now. How do you defend them? Some teams focus on Lamar, and the Ravens adjust their strategy and feed Henry as the Ravens establish control of the game. Other opponents focus on Henry, meaning Lamar will significantly support the running game and sometimes throw a deep ball to Lively or Andrews. I don't know if I like the expression, "Pick your poison," but that's what most opponents face against the Ravens, especially during the second half of the season. John Harbaugh, the sane brother, has achieved much success as a coach of the Ravens, but still, going against a tough Bills team that won 13 games in the regular season will be a tough match-up.
I like the Rams, too. Inevitably, I can't make up my mind on who to support. Considering the Rams, I like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua; they get open often and give their team continuity on offense. For Nacua's size, it's hard to imagine another wide receiver of similar stature who can break tackles and gain extra yards after contact. The Rams quarterback is Matt Stafford, who often throws a beautiful ball and is enjoyable to watch. He's already won a Super Bowl from the team in Los Angeles, so his leadership will help the entire team meander through the playoffs. Matthew Stafford has benefited by improving his offensive line, providing more time for Stafford to seek out one of the plethora of open receivers. I wasn't surprised that the Rams defeated the Vikings in the Wild Card round, but I was astonished that they dominated them. The Rams' defense sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold nine times by eight defenders. How can an offensive line protect their quarterback if most Ram's defenders can get to the quarterback? If their defense stays stout, they have a 50% chance of defeating their next opponent, the Eagles. I'm not in any way supporting the Eagles of Philadelphia. Hearing horror stories about how boisterous and mean they can be, I realize they don't deserve my respect or support. (There was an incident in their game against Green Bay last week where several fans repeatedly abused Packer supporters.)
It's several days before Kansas City plays the Texans in KC, and choosing which team to support will be as challenging as what occurs on the NFL gridiron this weekend. Thankfully, there is no MNF, so we'll see Joe and Troy when ESPN broadcasts the first game on Saturday at 4:30 pm (between the Chiefs and Texans). Texans have a formable defense, but KC has "The Wizard," which should neutralize the Texan's defensive attack. Will Mahomes achieve three in a row? Time will tell, but looking at things objectively, only five teams (Lions, Chiefs, Bills, Eagles, and Ravens) have the best chance of winning, and Reid and company are included in that group. As I mentioned, it would be wonderful if the Rams defeated the Eagles and much-needed respite for the fires in LA. Besides, the Eagles fumbled their chance in the Super Bowl several years ago. Besides, if fans in Philly have historically booed Santa Claus, why should anyone outside of Philly support a team with such a mean fanbase? Looking favorably on the Lions, the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan could use some love from the NFL. They must continue to win to keep the party hoping that Dan Campbell and Co. will make it to the NFC Championship game. The Lions face the Commanders, and if they play their game, this game may not even be close. Josh Allen and the Bills are prepared for a shootout against the Ravens and are well-positioned to go into the second round of the playoffs, playing in Buffalo. If the Ravens play well on offense and defense, they have a good chance to defeat the Bills in Buffalo. The Ravens rush more than they pass, so that type of offense travels well, so don't be surprised by a seven-point victory by the Ravens.
Therefore, who do I want to win the Super Bowl in 2025? If the Lions accomplish this feat, it will have been 67 years since their last NFL championship. If the Lions versus the Bills, either team would claim their first Super Bowl victory. If KC were victorious, there would be three in a row, the first in the Super Bowl era. A Raven's victory would give John Harbaugh his second title and the first for their offensive stars, Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry – an excellent story for Baltimore. Regardless of how well these remaining teams have done in the regular season, the playoffs provide a much more intense atmosphere. Even if a team such as the Lions or Chiefs are favorites, a costly turnover or two could sway the game in the opposite direction. Too many missed tackles or costly penalties could also doom a favorite. That is why they play the game. To determine which teams perform well on all three phases of the game and can limit costly penalties and turnovers.
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