The 2023 NFL season has come and gone. Once again, Patrick Mahomes hoisted the Lombardi Trophy and the Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions. Now, the Chiefs will once again be defending champions. But, can they make it back for a third straight season? Or will different teams be battling it out in New Orleans next season? What could be some Super Bowl matchups in the 2024 NFL season?
1. Baltimore Ravens vs Detroit Lions
This is the Super Bowl matchup most football fans wanted. Both the Ravens and Lions came up short this season. Lamar Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP and has been sensational for the Baltimore Ravens. However, he won't be able to silence the haters until he can lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl. Until then, the narrative will continue that Jackson cannot get it done in the postseason when it matters the most. The biggest question for the Ravens heading into the offseason is the wide receiver position as Odell Beckham Jr. is set to hit the free agency market and Zay Flowers has been in off-the-field trouble recently.
Then there's the Detroit Lions, the darlings of the NFL this past season. The Lions put the NFL on notice in week one when they took down the Kansas City Chiefs on the night when they unveiled this Super Bowl banner on Thursday Night Football. Dan Campbell showed all season that he is an aggressive coach and at times it worked and then at other times it did not. Detroit showed that they have a two-headed monster at running back with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. But, that running back duo wasn't enough as the Lions fell apart in the second half of the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers. Their biggest question this offseason is mainly on the defensive side of the ball, in regards to adding depth to the secondary.
In the end, the Ravens should take care of the Lions and Lamar Jackson should finally be able to silence his haters and deliver on his promise from draft night to bring Baltimore a Super Bowl.
2. Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles
Another Super Bowl rematch. This time though, it's the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. The three-peat is near for the Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Mahomes has proven that he is a winner in the NFL with now three Super Bowl wins and three Super Bowl MVPs. The Chiefs know what it takes to get to the Super Bowl. But, what will this roster look like? It most likely will look better at the wide receiver position with either Kansas City drafting someone or signing someone via free agency. On defense, the biggest question is will Chris Jones be there? Jones is set to be a free agent and there is a possibility he will leave Kansas City.
The Philadelphia Eagles looked like they were going to be Super Bowl-bound once again early in the season. But things took an unexpected turn for the worst. The defense fell apart and at times the defense couldn't stop anything from a simple slant route to a nosebleed. Why did this happen? Matt Patricia became the play caller and that led to the Eagles' defensive demise. But, the offense also struggled. Philadelphia was eliminated by Tampa Bay in blowout fashion in the wild-card round.
How can the Eagles make it back? Jalen Hurts needs to return to his MVP-like form. Both A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith need to be the deep-threat receivers that they are. The defense needs to get better in the secondary. If the Eagles can add another receiver and address the secondary they can challenge the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC.
But, this time, the Eagles should use their anger from the previous matchup with Kansas City in the Super Bowl to take care of business and stop the three-peat from happening in Kansas City.
3. Cincinnati Bengals vs San Francisco 49ers
Next season the Super Bowl is in New Orleans. One of the hottest quarterback-wide receiver duos went to college together at LSU. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase not only want revenge after a down and injury-riddled year, but they will want to play in the state of Louisiana. In simple terms, last season was a season to forget in Cincinnati. Now, a healthy Burrow will lead the charge and should return to form as being one of the best quarterbacks in the league. If the Bengals address the offensive line and tight end positions, the offense should be a top-five offense in the NFL.
The 49ers could and some would argue should be the defending Super Bowl champions right now. Kyle Shanahan once again let a double-digit lead choke away from him. Now, the 49ers will be fighting their way back to prove that they can close out the big game. There are two main areas the 49ers need to address to make it back. Their offensive line and secondary. If that's addressed and Brock Purdy continues to look like a top quarterback the 49ers should be able to breeze through everyone. On defense, the main question is when Dre Greenlaw will return from his devastating Achilles injury that he suffered running onto the field during the Super Bowl.
Finally, at long last Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers should be crowned champions as their pass rush should overwhelm a Cincinnati offensive line that will always be failing to protect Joe Burrow.