The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL A Seat at the Table: The teams that can win the Super Bowl
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Aug 13, 2025 The hosts dive into the race for the Super Bowl, identifying ten teams deemed contenders as the new season kicks off. They explore the ups and downs of teams like the Eagles, Chiefs, and Bengals, examining their strengths and weaknesses. The conversation shifts to the Washington Commanders, addressing skepticism around their roster. Insights on the Packers and Chargers highlight their challenges, while the analysis of teams like the Broncos and Buccaneers focuses on balancing offense and defense. A lively debate ensues about overall playoff chances.
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Five Consensus Contenders
- The hosts placed four elite teams (Eagles, Chiefs, Bills, Ravens) as consensus inclusions due to returning core talent and recent playoff performance.
- They added the Lions based on roster upside despite coaching and turnover questions.
49ers: High Upside, Fragile Offense
- The 49ers earned inclusion because Kyle Shanahan's system plus Christian McCaffrey create a high upside floor despite offensive fragility.
- Health and offensive line concerns make them fragile but still a clear contender if breaks go their way.
Bengals: Offense Carries The Case
- The Bengals make the list because Joe Burrow's MVP-level passing and elite receiving give a high ceiling even if the defense remains subpar.
- The hosts expect the defense to only need to be merely bad for Cincinnati's offense to carry them to double-digit wins.