New Super Bowl 2025 Predictions: Eagles, Chiefs Still Top Championship Contenders

As we approach the 2024 NFL Playoffs with just a month to go until Wild Card weekend, we’ve gained a clear understanding of which teams are genuine Super Bowl 2025 contenders — and which ones are not.

Below, we’ll break down the current outlook in both the AFC and NFC conferences, identify the teams with the strongest paths to the Super Bowl, and ultimately provide our 2025 Super Bowl champion prediction.

In the meantime, you can win real money by riding your takes on the NFL’s best teams on PrizePicks. Build your weekly NFL fantasy football Lineups by choosing “more” or “less” on individual player projections to win up to 1000x your money.

You can also find our early NFC Championship predictions and AFC Championship predictions for an in-depth look at both conferences.

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AFC Contenders for Super Bowl 2025

Kansas City Chiefs (12-1, #1 in AFC)

The Kansas City Chiefs, guided by QB Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, have historically excelled in close contests, boasting one of the league’s best records in one-score games. Whether this level of late-game success is sustainable remains a key question. 

Despite recent injuries — including an extended absence for WR Rashee Rice and the loss of RB Isiah Pacheco, who has since returned — the Chiefs stand as the AFC’s top seed at 12-1.

On defense, Kansas City has emerged as one of the stronger units in the conference. The secondary is anchored by CB Trent McDuffie, who has held opposing quarterbacks under a 100 passer rating when targeted. Up front, the interior defensive line is led by Chris Jones, a top-five player at his position. He ranks third among 124 interior defensive linemen and leads the league in total pressures and quarterback hurries, per PFF.

The offensive line is likewise among the NFL’s best. Center Creed Humphrey ranks first at his position, and left guard Joe Thuney is a top-five guard league-wide. Remarkably, neither Humphrey nor Thuney has surrendered a single sack this season.

Mahomes is having a strong year — though not quite at his usual MVP standard — having thrown for 20 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. 

One lingering weakness is the pass defense, which teeters near the bottom third of the league by allowing approximately 230 passing yards per game. The run defense, however, is formidable, ranking inside the top 10 by allowing just 100 rushing yards per contest.

With the imminent return of Marquise Hollywood Brown and the ever-reliable Travis Kelce in the fold, this offense could again be one of the NFL’s most feared, especially under the leadership of Mahomes. 

Given their balance of offensive firepower and defensive prowess, the Chiefs remain a formidable contender in the playoff race.

Buffalo Bills (10-3, #2 in AFC)

QB Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are 10-3 and remain a top AFC contender even knocking off Kansas City earlier this year. Allen’s MVP-caliber season — 23 passing touchdowns, over 3,000 yards, and just five interceptions, — has propelled the Bills forward, even as the defense lags behind. 

Allen became the first QB in history to pass for 3 touchdowns and run for 3 more in the 44-42 loss to the Rams, putting himself squarely in the MVP conversation.

The trade-deadline addition of WR Amari Cooper has elevated the passing game, complementing WR Khalil Shakir in the slot and rookie Keon Coleman on the outside. However, the defense is a concern, sitting just outside the top 20 in rushing yards allowed per game.

Their defensive line and linebackers have been underwhelming: A.J. Epenesa ranks 99th of 116 defensive ends, while LB Terrel Bernard ranks 68th of 84 linebackers, per PFF. The interior run defense has struggled as well, placing 103rd of 133 units at stopping the run. 

Despite these shortcomings, Allen’s improved ball security and the enhanced passing attack keep the Bills firmly in the playoff picture, though they’ll need Allen to show up in a big way to make it to the Super Bowl.

Other Top AFC Contenders for Super Bowl 2025

Here are more top AFC contenders for the Super Bowl 2025, with their AFC Playoff seeding.

• #3 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)
• #4 Houston Texans (8-5)
• #5 Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
• #6 San Diego Chargers (8-5)

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NFC Contenders for Super Bowl 2025

Detroit Lions (12-1, #1 in NFC)

The Detroit Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell and QB Jared Goff, have been nearly flawless, holding a 12-1 record at the top of the NFC. Their offensive line, featuring standouts Kevin Zeitler and Penei Sewell — both top-five players at their positions — has paved the way for RB Jahmyr Gibbs, who is averaging over six yards per carry and ranks among the league’s top five backs. QB Jared Goff has benefited from playing indoors for much of the season and has minimized turnovers, with consistent hands from WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, and explosive plays from WR Jameson Williams. 

On defense, the secondary led by Kirby Joseph and rookie Brian Branch — each ranking in the top five at their positions — has excelled despite key injuries in the front seven. 

Even after losing defensive stalwarts like DE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Alim McNeill, and DT D.J. Reader, the Lions have maintained a “next man up” mentality. With Campbell’s aggressive coaching style and a top-five ranking in both yards allowed and passing touchdowns allowed, this is a well-rounded, resilient team.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-2, #2 in NFC)

The Philadelphia Eagles sit at 11-2 and have solidified themselves as one of the NFC’s premier teams. They feature a legitimate MVP candidate and likely Offensive Player of the Year in running back Saquon Barkley, who joined the team from Giants this offseason. 

Barkley is putting up record-breaking numbers at the position, running behind one of the league’s top offensive lines — anchored by left tackle Jordan Mailata and right tackle Lane Johnson, each ranking among the top five at their respective positions. That line has also helped keep a clean pocket for QB Jalen Hurts, who has thrown 16 touchdowns to 5 interceptions.

Defensively, the Eagles boast a top-five pass defense and a top-10 run defense, thanks in large part to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s offseason improvements. Hurts is also enjoying a strong campaign, adding balance and efficiency to the offense, especially when all of his weapons are healthy.

Other Top NFC Contenders for Super Bowl 2025

Here are more top NFC contenders for the Super Bowl 2025, with their AFC Playoff seeding.

• #5 Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
• #6 Green Bay Packers (9-4)
• #3 Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
• #4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)

Super Bowl 2025 Prediction: Eagles defeat Chiefs

When it comes to selecting Super Bowl contenders, experience often trumps all. The Philadelphia Eagles, led by head coach Nick Sirianni and QB Jalen Hurts, have already proven they can perform on football’s biggest stage. 

With defensive coordinator Vic Fangio elevating the defense to one of the league’s most improved units, the Eagles have become one of the NFL’s most balanced teams. Their ability to consistently run the ball — a difficult task but a key to playoff success — gives them a critical edge, especially in clock control. This advantage may allow them to outplay the Detroit Lions when it matters most, especially since Lions head coach Campbell’s aggressive style could cost him in a crucial postseason moment.

On the other side of the bracket, it’s hard to count out the Kansas City Chiefs given their track record over the past several seasons. Under Reid’s guidance, the Chiefs have a proven knack for winning one-score games. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills’ defensive struggles could become a serious liability against top-tier offenses in the postseason.

If the Super Bowl ends up a rematch between the Eagles and the Chiefs, the script may flip this time around. The Eagles, fueled by a stronger defense, a balanced offense, and valuable experience, could secure their revenge while the Chiefs’ luck in tight contests finally runs out.

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