Who Could Beat the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024-2025
The Kansas City Chiefs have been the team to beat in the NFL for the past few seasons. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, they've been to the Super Bowl three times in the last four years, capturing back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Mahomes has become one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, sitting comfortably in the conversation behind Tom Brady. But despite the Chiefs' success, things feel a little different this season.
The Chiefs are still winning, but they've played many one-score games—a trend that could become concerning as the season progresses. While the defense has been solid, Kansas City's offense, particularly the broad receiver group outside of Travis Kelce, has shown signs of vulnerability. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have MVP-caliber potential, while Lamar Jackson could cause headaches for Kansas City if his offense improves. Conversely, the NFC has a rising contender in the Detroit Lions, playing some of the best football in franchise history. So, who can avoid the Chiefs winning three straight Super Bowls?
The Chiefs' Dominance and Concerns
While the Kansas City Chiefs have undeniably been NFL royalty in recent years, their current season has seen them grind out several wins in close games, often by a slim margin. This trend of close-game victories, especially against high-powered offenses like the Bills or Ravens, raises concerns about their ability to maintain dominance.
In terms of stats, Patrick Mahomes is, once again, playing at an MVP-caliber level. He has thrown for over 3,100 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions—all elite numbers. However, there are signs of a slight regression in Mahomes' play, with a noticeable dip in scoring production from previous years.
Despite these concerns, the Chiefs still boast a top-five defense, with Chris Jones leading. They also have the experience and coaching staff that comes with winning two Super Bowls in the last three seasons. However, the question remains: Can they continue to win close games and maintain dominance, especially with other teams catching up?
The Buffalo Bills: A Real Threat to the Chiefs
If there's one team in the AFC that could challenge the Chiefs, it's the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are currently sitting at 10-3, and their MVP-candidate quarterback, Josh Allen, is playing arguably the best football of his career.
Allen has over 3,000 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions this season. His combination of arm strength, mobility, and playmaking ability puts the Bills in a position to compete with anyone in the league, including the Chiefs. But what makes the Bills particularly dangerous against the Chiefs is their offense's versatility—Allen can beat you with his legs and arm, and the Bills have the talent to play in the AFC championship game.
Lamar Jackson: Can the Ravens Contend with the Chiefs?
While current MVP Lamar Jackson has always been a dynamic quarterback, he's taking his game to the next level this year. The Baltimore Ravens are currently 8-5 and second in the AFC North, with Jackson on a tear. He's thrown for over 3,200 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. Lamar's ability to make plays with his arms and legs makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. However, the Ravens' biggest issue is their defense, which has taken a step back compared to previous seasons. That could prove problematic against a high-powered quarterback like Pat Mahomes, especially if Mahomes gets into a rhythm.
Jackson is dangerous against the Chiefs, though, because of his ability to control the game with his legs. The Ravens have a top-10 rushing attack, with Jackson leading the way. If they can control time of possession and limit Mahomes' opportunities, they could pull off an upset. However, the defense will need to step up in big moments, and it remains to be seen if they can be as effective in the postseason as they were in past seasons.
NFC Contender: The Detroit Lions
On the other hand, the Detroit Lions are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC. While the NFC has lacked genuine Super Bowl contenders in recent years, the Lions are changing that narrative in 2024. 12-1, they have the best record in the NFC North and are playing the best football in franchise history.
Led by Jared Goff, the Lions' offense averages 32.1 points per game, ranking first in the league. Goff has thrown for over 3,200 yards, 25 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. But it's not just the impressive offense—Detroit's defense is ranked second overall. The combination of an explosive offense and a revamped defense has made the Lions a sleeper Super Bowl contender.
If the Lions make it to the Super Bowl, they could be a difficult matchup for the Chiefs. Detroit's ability to score quickly with the run game and play solid defense could be the perfect recipe to slow down Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense. Detroit hasn't won a Super Bowl in franchise history, but with this current group, they're poised to make a serious run.
This Is the Year for a New Champion
In 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs continue to be the team to beat, with Patrick Mahomes maintaining his status as one of the league's top quarterbacks. However, the season has seen the emergence of several strong contenders, including the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions, who could pose serious threats to the Chiefs' quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl.
The AFC is wide open, and while the Chiefs are the favorites, they have weaknesses that other teams can exploit. If the Bills' defense can step up and Josh Allen continues his MVP-caliber play, they could knock the Chiefs out. Likewise, if Lamar Jackson finds his rhythm with a solid offense, the Ravens could turn heads.
As the regular season progresses, the Detroit Lions are demonstrating their potential to be a significant force in the NFC. If they continue their current form, they could find themselves facing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. With the season at its peak (Week 15), the possibility of a new Super Bowl champion is more real than ever. The AFC may finally have an answer for Mahomes, and the NFC might have a contender ready to make some noise.
Michael Torres