While waiting for the off season to really kick in to gear, join the Gridiron CUE team as we look at our way too early top 10 teams heading into next year!
Abraham’s List:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Before the pitch forks and torches come out, I feel as if I should explain myself. It is my own personal doctrine that the two teams playing in the Super Bowl HAVE to be the two top teams in at LEAST the inaugural top 10 list for that next year.
While I’m not at all convinced that the Kansas City Chiefs will win the Super Bowl next year (or even be the favorites), it is my responsibility to put them at number one as we kick off this list.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Same with the number one spot, since the ‘Niners played in last years Super Bowl, they had to make the list at number two. However, unlike the Chiefs, I really believe that the 49ers should be (and are after a quick search) the early betting favorites to win the entire thing next year.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar. Lamar, Lamar, Lamar. To quote giant Peter Dinklage from Avengers: Infinity War, “You were supposed to protect us”. While Lamar is coming off another league MVP, he’s also coming off one of the worst throws I’ve ever seen in NFL history. I really think he’ll approach this season with a vengeance, and I could easily see the Ravens making another run to the AFC championship this year.
4. Detroit Lions
What can I say? This is becoming my favorite (non-Browns) team to root for. Besides their likability at pretty much every level of the franchise, they’ve built a winning culture and sustainable winning brand of football in just 3 short years under Dan Campbell. I expect the Lions to be back next year and make another push for the Super Bowl.
5. Dallas Cowboys
Another strong regular season, another early playoff exit. Next year however, I have the Cowboys….. doing the exact same thing.
6. Houston Texans
After an astounding rookie season from C.J. Stroud, I think the Texans will continue to build, and will most likely make another appearance in the AFC divisional round.
7. Buffalo Bills
If Josh Allen can put together an ENTIRE season of consistency, they might end up as my Super Bowl favorites. Until that day, however, they will continue to slip farther and farther down these rankings as their championship window with the roster as assembled is quickly closing.
8. Green Bay Packers
After a pretty successful season under Jordan Love, you just have to hope that Packers’ ownership is willing to finally put some elite talent around their franchise quarterback. I suspect a very good season from the Pack next year.
9. Philadelphia Eagles
Are you ready kids (for another 10-0 start before a crazy collapse to end the season)? Well, I am too. I suspect the Eagles will once again choke their way out of the first round bye, and Nick Sirianni’s seat will grow ever hotter.
10. Cleveland Browns
Now listen here. I’m a Browns fan. In the name of transparency, I will tell you that I am a member of the Dawg Pound. HOWEVER, if this team can get healthy and squeeze whatever quarterbacking ability is still intact for Deshaun, I think this team can make some noise (we’re going to go 6-11 and suffer more excruciating injuries).
Jacob’s List:
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers constantly find themselves deep in the playoffs for a reason. They are the most well-rounded team in football. The roster is built well everywhere and the coaching staff is one of the best. I expect them back in the NFC Championship next year at the very least.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were arguably the best regular season team this year. The Ravens had the leagues best defense while having a top-5 offense. With Lamar coming off an MVP season and Roquan Smith continuing to lead the defense as one of the best MLBs, I expect the Ravens to replicate the same regular season success.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
This one is the most obvious of all the teams on the list. The Chiefs are coming off their second straight Super Bowl win. You can never seem to count out Patrick Mahomes. On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs defense had a strong season. They franchise-tagged cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to retain the pair between him and Trent McDuffie in the slot. A big question mark, though, is whether or not Chris Jones will return.
4. Detroit Lions
The Lions are now America’s team. The coaches call electric plays and the players are young. Last year proved that they are ahead of schedule on their rebuild and are already ready to contend. This young Lions team got some much needed playoff experience and are prepared to be right back in the same spot next year.
5. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen just put up an MVP caliber season and will only improve. I expect him and Stefon Diggs to remind the league how dangerous they are when they’re on the same page. The defense is up there with the best of the league with their safety tandem of Poyer and Hyde, with Matt Milano, and Tre’Davious White. I don’t see a reason for them to get any worse from last year.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
Just like the year before last, the Eagles started off on fire. However, they suffered a midseason collapse and went 1-5 to finish out the season. They have regressed since they last made the Super Bowl and will continue to regress. Jalen Hurts’s passing ability got exposed, multiple stars may leave, and head coach Nick Sirianni is on the hot seat. They will still be competitive nonetheless.
7. Cleveland Browns
The Browns were able to stay competitive with Joe Flacco as their quarterback in the year 2023. Their efforts were enough to win Joe Flacco CPOY. Myles Garrett also took home the DPOY award that night. He helped propel the Browns’s defense to one of the league’s best. When they get Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb back next season, they’ll be even scarier.
8. Houston Texans
This young Texans team is quickly on the rise. Demeco Ryans and company were able to remarkably turn around the franchise in just one season. They hit in the draft and had both the OROY and DROY this season. The ceiling is high for this young team with CJ Stroud at the helm.
9. Minnesota Vikings
I fully expect the Vikings to resign Kirk Cousins. He was quietly having a great season before his injury. The Vikings will also get a fully healthy Justin Jefferson, the best WR in the league. If they do draft a QB, their power ranking is sure to drop.
10. Chicago Bears
Perhaps the boldest of my top ten teams, I have the Bears at the ten spot. They have a lot of potential and I think they will take that leap next season. Fields will improve or maybe they will choose to go with a new QB with the first or ninth pick in the draft. Either way, I have faith in the Bears’s QB situation. They already took care of Montez Sweat long term so they should now try to keep Jaylon Johnson at corner since he was one of the leagues best this season.
Matt’s List:
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are the most complete team in the league with a lack of weaknesses. Minus a couple mistakes in the Super Bowl (and maybe a few holding calls) they are hoisting the lombardi at this moment. It would be a shock to not see them among the league’s upper echelon and are my favorite to win it all.
2. Detroit Lions
The Lions are a team that is hungry, has some cap space, and finally are finding the pieces to put it together. They may not be perfect but heartbreak brings the best out of teams and the Detroit Lions will be a premier example of that.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
They may have had doubters last season, but they won’t now. The Kansas City Chiefs are officially a dynasty. So long as Mahomes is the quarterback, they will always be in my top five and I will never underestimate their team.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are in a situation very similar to the 49ers, they were knocking on the doorstep and simply couldn’t get it done. I expect their success to be similar to last seasons, maybe even better.
5. Buffalo Bills
A team I’ve always heavily doubted, the Bills seem to have shown a willingness to do whatever it takes to help their team succeed. If their draft goes the right way, they will make some noise in the playoffs.
6. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys tend to have zero playoff success but that doesn’t prevent them from making my top 10. They’re a dangerous team that is desperate to win. It’s a scary combination and maybe we can finally see if it is truly, “their year”.
7. Houston Texans
CJ Stroud will only improve, the team is young, and they have a ton of cap space. What’s not to love? The Texans are going to make a ton of noise this season and I can’t wait to see what a full offseason can do for them.
8. Green Bay Packers
The Packers nearly beat the representatives of the NFC champs and have cap space and a young quarterback with the ability to shift games. I’m going to love watching Packers and Lions games this season and we will see how they fair next season in the playoffs.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Barring an injury to Joe Burrow, the Bengals have the ability to make a ton of noise this season as well. They went to the Super Bowl only a few seasons ago and seem to be primed for yet another attempt. Will they get the job done? That’s left for next January.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles struggled all season and yet I strangely don’t want to take them out of my top ten. I’m sure that my opinion will shift very quickly this offseason but if they play their cards right, they could return to their Super Bowl form.
