For the first time in nearly two decades, an NFL team will have a chance to do what’s never been done before: win three straight Super Bowls.
The Chiefs will attempt to achieve what eight previous aspirants in the league’s history — the most recent being the 2005 Patriots — failed to do, and they have most of their horses back to do so. With Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and arguably a top-10 defense, it’s easy to love Kansas City’s chances.
But 31 other teams stand in the Chiefs’ way, with a loaded AFC that includes two ostensible contenders returning their respective starting quarterbacks from injury in the Bengals (Joe Burrow) and Jets (Aaron Rodgers). On the NFC side of the coin, the bridesmaid 49ers are hungry for their first Lombardi Trophy in three decades after some narrow misses, and they’re joined by enough legitimate contenders, including the vigorous Lions, the still-dangerous Eagles and Cowboys, plus rising teams such as the Packers and Bears.
This season is teeming with juicy storylines all across the NFL, which is just how we like it.
Can Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or C.J. Stroud knock off the Chiefs — or could Jim Harbaugh and the suddenly-relevant Chargers take a fair crack at them? Can the Lions, Texans, Bengals or Bills go from legitimate contenders to first-time Super Bowl champions? And how will this ballyhooed rookie QB class — with three Week 1 starters and a fourth (Drake Maye) who’s waiting in the wings — fare in Year 1? Can’t wait to find out.
I’ve shuffled my preseason rankings based on some August developments, although I am prepared for that to backfire, considering I dropped the Rams and raised the Steelers just prior to last season. I tried not to be swayed by the preseason pixie dust as much this time around, but I’m prepared to take my lumps either way.
Stick with us here all season to track the weekly franchise stock watch, and be sure to check out the Power Rankings Podcast every week, where NFL Network’s Mike Yam and I will break down the ups and downs throughout the 2024 NFL campaign, all the way through Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
Laissez les bons temps rouler, y’all. Football is back.
