Who Is In The Hunt For The NFL Title?
The NFL season is in full swing and there are a number of teams in the hunt for the title. Who do you think will come out on top?
The Contenders
The NFL season is drawing to a close, and there are a few teams that have emerged as contenders for the title. The New England Patriots have been dominant all season, and they look like they are on their way to another Super Bowl victory. The Los Angeles Rams have also been impressive, and they could be a dark horse in the playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs are another team to watch out for, as they have one of the best offenses in the league. Who do you think will be in the hunt for the NFL title?
The New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Gillette Stadium in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is located 28 miles (45 km) southwest of downtown Boston.
The Patriots are also headquartered at Gillette Stadium. An original member of the American Football League (AFL), the Patriots joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL–NFL merger. The team changed its name from the original Boston Patriots after relocating to Foxborough in 1971. The Patriots played their home games at Foxboro Stadium from 1971 to 2001, then moved to Gillette Stadium at the start of the 2002 season. The franchise has made nineteen appearances in the Super Bowl (including eleven times under Belichick and Kraft), winning six of them – all since 2001, with four of those victories coming in Super Bowls XXXVIII, XLIX, LI, and LIII under Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.
The Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team that compete in the National Football League (NFL). The Rams franchise was founded in 1936 as the Cleveland Rams in the short-lived second American Football League before joining the NFL the next year. In 1946, the franchise moved to Los Angeles. The Rams franchise remained in the metro area until 1994, when they moved to St. Louis. The Rams franchise returned to Los Angeles in 2016.
The Rams have won three NFL championships, and are the only team to win championships representing three cities (Cleveland, Los Angeles, and St. Louis). They have appeared in two Super Bowls, both of which they lost to the New England Patriots.
The Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team was founded in 1960 as the Dallas Texans by businessman Lamar Hunt and was a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). In 1963, the team relocated to Kansas City and assumed their current name. The Chiefs joined the NFL as a result of the merger in 1970. The team is valued at just over $2 billion.
The New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints currently compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The team was founded by John W. Mecom Jr., David Dixon, and the city of New Orleans on November 1, 1966. The Saints began play in Tulane Stadium in 1967.
The name “Saints” is an allusion to November 1 being All Saints Day in the Catholic faith, as New Orleans has a large Catholic population. The team’s primary colors are old gold and black; their logo substitutes a fleur-de-lis for the star or asterisk typically found in logos of NFL teams (other than the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans). They played their home games in Tulane Stadium through the 1974 NFL season.
The Dark Horses
The race to the NFL title is always full of surprises. This year is no different, as there are a few teams that are flying under the radar but could make a run at the title. These teams are known as the dark horses. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
The Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles were the surprise team of the 2017 NFL season, winning 13 games and the NFC East title. The Eagles lost star quarterback Carson Wentz to a torn ACL in Week 14, but backup Nick Foles stepped in and led the team to victory in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LII. The Eagles enter the 2018 season as the favorite to win the NFC East.
The Chicago Bears
Since the Chicago Bears’ inception in 1920, the team has played in only one Super Bowl and have won it all just once. In other words, they have been a bit of a disappointment. But, this season, they are looking like a real force to be reckoned with. So, who are these guys?
The Bears’ defense is looking particularly stingy this year. They are currently ranked first in the NFL in terms of points allowed per game and second in terms of yards allowed per game. Their offense is no slouch either, as they are ranked sixth in the NFL in terms of points scored per game.
The Bears’ success this season has been due in large part to their acquisiton of Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders. Mack is widely considered to be one of the best defensive players in the NFL and he has certainly lived up to that billing so far this season. In addition to Mack, the Bears also have a number of other talented players on both sides of the ball.
So, can the Bears finally get over the hump and return to glory? Only time will tell, but they certainly look like a team that is capable of making some noise this season.
The Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a team on the rise. After a disappointing end to last season, they have been working hard to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with. With a strong defense and a dynamic offense, they have everything they need to make a run at the title. Whether they can put it all together remains to be seen, but they are definitely a team to watch.
The Long Shots
The Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most popular and successful teams in the NFL. They have won five Super Bowls, which is tied for the most in NFL history. They are also the only team in NFL history to have played in more than one Super Bowl.
The Cowboys have a rich history and tradition. They were founded in 1960 as an expansion team, and they have been one of the most successful teams in the league ever since. They have had many great players, including Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, and Michael Irvin.
The Cowboys are currently led by quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott is one of the best young running backs in the league, and Prescott is one of the best young quarterbacks. The Cowboys also have a great offensive line, which helps them run the ball effectively.
The Cowboys’ biggest rival is the Washington Redskins. The two teams have been playing each other since 1960, and they have played each other more than any other two teams in NFL history. The rivalry is known as one of the best in sports, and it is always a heated battle when these two teams meet.
The Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are one of the most iconic franchises in the NFL, and they have a strong fan base throughout the United States. They have won 13 NFL Championships, including four Super Bowls, and their fans are always eager to see them hoist the Lombardi Trophy once again.
The Packers are currently led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is widely considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The Packers also have a talented group of receivers, led by Davante Adams. On defense, they have a number of talented players, including linebacker Za’Darius Smith and safety Adrian Amos.
The Packers have a tough road ahead of them if they want to win a Super Bowl this year, but with Aaron Rodgers leading the way, they always have a chance.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most storied and successful histories in the NFL, with six Super Bowl wins, eight conference championships, and 24 playoff appearances. They are currently tied for the most Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots. The Steelers are also the only team in NFL history to have won back-to-back Super Bowls twice (in 1975 and 1976, and again in 1979 and 1980).
Led by head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. In 2017, they finished 13-3, good for second place in the AFC North behind the Patriots. They lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Steelers offense is led by two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He is flanked by a bevy of talented skill players, including wide receiver Antonio Brown (a six-time Pro Bowler), running back Le’Veon Bell (a three-time Pro Bowler), and JuJu Smith-Schuster (a rising star in his second season). On defense, Pittsburgh is anchored by linebacker Ryan Shazier (a 2016 Pro Bowler) and safety Sean Davis (a promising young player).
With a core group of talented players and a rich history of success, the Pittsburgh Steelers are always a team to watch during the NFL season.
The Wild Cards
The NFL season is coming to an end, and there are many teams vying for the title. Among them are the Wild Cards, who have been on a hot streak recently. Let’s take a look at their chances.
The Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers come into the 2019 season with high expectations. After a 12-4 campaign in 2018, the Chargers have their sights set on the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.
Led by quarterback Philip Rivers, the Chargers offense is one of the most explosive in the NFL. Rivers is supported by a talented group of skill position players, including wide receivers Keenan Allen and Tyreek Hill, running back Melvin Gordon, and tight end Hunter Henry. The Chargers also have one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL in left tackle Russell Okung.
Defensively, the Chargers are led by safety Derwin James and cornerback Casey Hayward. The Chargers also have a talented pass rusher in defensive end Joey Bosa.
The Chargers have all the pieces to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2019. If they can stay healthy, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.
The Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are one of the most successful teams in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls and reaching the playoffs 11 times since 2000. They have a strong defense and a dynamic offense, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was named MVP in 2019. The Ravens are currently atop the AFC North with a 9-2 record, and they are looking like a favorites to win the division and make a deep run in the playoffs.
The Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts made the playoffs last year despite a 1-5 start to the season. They’re in the hunt for the NFL title this year, and they’re a team to watch.
The Colts are led by quarterback Andrew Luck, who is one of the best in the league. Luck has a strong arm and can make all the throws, but he’s also a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his feet.
The Colts have a solid group of receivers, led by T.Y. Hilton. Hilton is a speedster who can stretch the field and make big plays. The Colts also have veteran Reggie Wayne, who is a reliable target, and tight end Coby Fleener, who is a good red-zone threat.
On defense, the Colts are led by linebacker Robert Mathis, who had 19.5 sacks last season. Mathis is a disruptive force on defense, and he’s flanked by another talented pass-rusher in Dwight Freeney. The Colts also have a solid group of defensive backs, led by cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Greg Toler.
The Colts are a team to watch this year, as they have the talent to make a run at the NFL title.
