The Tremendous Bowl is all the time the largest sport of the 12 months, and one of many largest spectacles in all of sports activities — however that doesn’t all the time imply the sport is enjoyable. Look no additional than final 12 months. Certain, Chiefs vs. 49ers was the matchup between the very best groups, however was anybody exterior of these two fanbases actually trying ahead to that sport?
These playoffs are totally different. The slate is suffering from absolute bangers and storylines lingering for many years within the NFL. Clearly we don’t get to select what sport we get when the mud settles, however listed here are 5 video games we’d be thrilled with in the event that they got here to go.
No. 1: Buffalo Payments vs. Detroit Lions
Push the soccer a part of this to the again for a second. The sheer quantity of drama and emotion in a Payments vs. Lions Tremendous Bowl would result in intergalactic ranges of pleasure. Two long-suffering franchises, arguably the very best groups of their respective conferences. Every attempting to lastly carry a Lombardi Trophy to their metropolis. The winner will get final glory, the loser suffers unparalleled disappointment.
Then we get to the soccer aspect, and it might be enjoyable as hell. Aaron Glenn would have time to prepare dinner up some distinctive defensive seems to be to cease the multi-level risk of Josh Allen, whereas the Payments’ prolific protection has to discover a method to cease the league’s finest protection. Nice coaches, nice quarterbacks, nice working video games — this sport would have every little thing.
No. 2: Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings
The all-purple Tremendous Bowl has pure aesthetic attraction, however actually that is about seeing a number of the best particular person stars within the NFL on show. Brian Flores is probably the most artistic defensive coordinator within the NFL, and to look at him take a crew with mid-tier defensive expertise and attempt to cease Lamar Jackson could be enjoyable as hell.
Then, on the opposite aspect of the ball, we’ve got the Ravens’ glorious secondary tasked with protecting Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison within the electrical Vikings passing offense.
We’re left with a sport that showcases every little thing nice concerning the particular person athleticism of the NFL, in addition to how mediocre gamers can develop into phenoms in the correct system. Sprinkle within the drama of the Vikings attempting to get their first Tremendous Bowl win and it might be a ton of enjoyable.
No. 3: Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The massive scheme storyline of 2024 was how groups returned to the run, and the way working backs proved they’re not an endangered species in soccer. This matchup would have two absolute monster backs giving us hard-nosed soccer with Derrick Henry vs. Saquon Barkley being a spectacle for each old-school soccer fan.
On prime of that, you sprinkle within the new-school dual-threat quarterback sensibilities of Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts and we’re left with a extremely compelling sport with a heaping serving to of regional beef.
Each of those groups have had previous Tremendous Bowl success, so we don’t fairly get the extent of drama numerous us could be in search of — however this might nonetheless be a supremely enjoyable sport to look at, particularly if you happen to like nice working backs.
No. 4: Inexperienced Bay Packers vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
That is actually the one situation the place I’d settle for seeing the Chiefs again within the Tremendous Bowl once more and truly be blissful about it. Packers vs. Chiefs could be a rematch of Tremendous Bowl I for the primary time in historical past, and the quantity of legacy and custom these groups carry to the sport could be unmatched.
Let’s face it: There would even be one thing supremely hilarious about Jordan Love main the Packers to a Tremendous Bowl and doing what Aaron Rodgers couldn’t over the past decade.
No. 5: Washington Commanders vs. Properly, anybody
Give me actually anybody within the AFC and I’d be okay with it (not you, Chiefs). Seeing the Commanders full their ascent from one of many worst groups within the NFL to creating it to the Tremendous Bowl in a single 12 months could be unimaginable past measure.
Washington is an extremely enjoyable crew to look at on offense with Jayden Daniels on the helm, and so they like to make massive explosive performs. Whereas no person is certain whether or not Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive sensibilities can do a lot past one season of shock and awe, it might be enjoyable to see it repay with a rookie QB.
Very like the Schadenfreude of the Packers making the sport, Dan Snyder might be crying reputable tears by seeing his crew make the sport and he has nothing to point out for it. It’s nice to see a dope get their comeuppance.