Best Potential Matchups For Super Bowl LVIII

January 3, 2024

A look at the top potential matchups for Super Bowl LVIII. Looking ahead at the most intriguing NFL matchups for Super Bowl LVIII.

With just one week left in the season, it appears that contenders are starting to separate themselves from the rest, giving us a glimpse of potential teams playing in February.

The NFL is renowned for its captivating storylines, and Super Bowl 58 could offer some compelling narratives. Alongside these storylines, the potential matchups present the prospect of exciting and must-watch games.

In this article, we will explore the most intriguing potential matchups for Super Bowl 58, focusing on drama, storylines, and the promise of entertaining football.

Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers

As the current favorite for Super Bowl 58, we saw a preview for this matchup in Week 16. The turnover luck for the Niners flipped all at once and the Ravens coasted to a 33-19 victory. This hypothetical matchup would be a rematch from Super Bowl 47, featuring both number-one seeds that have been dominant throughout the season, each leading their conferences with MVP candidates.

While it wouldn't be a Harbaugh Bowl like the one in 2013, a showdown between Kyle Shanahan and John Harbaugh would pit two of the most respected coaches in the NFL against each other. The 49ers, as a collective unit, have appeared virtually unstoppable for the majority of the year.

However, few NFL teams have found a solution for containing the electric Lamar Jackson. Even without a repeat of the power outage drama from Super Bowl 47, this potential matchup could deliver one of the more memorable Super Bowls.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Rematches add intriguing storylines, and revisiting the Super Bowl 57 matchup would offer plenty of narrative depth, even though fans may crave fresh faces. The Eagles and Chiefs consistently deliver compelling matchups, evident in both the Super Bowl and their Week 11 encounter, which were highly competitive and entertaining games.

In addition to the on-field excellence displayed in their matchups, the prospect of another Kelce Bowl adds an extra layer to the storylines, much like it did a year ago. With both Kelces on the verge of retirement, this potential clash could mark each of their final games. Jalen Hurts is eager to establish himself in the NFL, providing an additional narrative, while Andy Reid would seize another opportunity to secure a championship against his former team. The combination of these elements would undoubtedly make for a captivating and meaningful game.

Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers

If you have an appreciation for creative and innovative offensive schemes, the matchup between Mike McDaniel and Kyle Shanahan is tailor-made for you. The duo shares a deep history, resembling brothers, having collaborated in various capacities in Houston, Washington, Cleveland, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Shanahan, consistently impressed with McDaniel's intelligence, ensured his presence as an assistant at multiple coaching stops.

On the field, the game promises to be a spectacle of innovation. Both the Dolphins and the Niners boast highly creative offenses that have influenced strategies across the NFL. The genius playcalling from Shanahan and McDaniel, combined with the talents of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel, sets the stage for a thrilling offensive display. The defensive side is equally star-studded with names like Chase Young, Nick Bosa, and Jalen Ramsey, contributing to what would be an exceptional game on both ends of the field.

Buffalo Bills vs. Dallas Cowboys

A rematch 20 years in the making, a Bills-Cowboys Super Bowl would give Buffalo a chance to avenge their championship struggles from the early '90s. The Bills lost four straight Super Bowls from 1990-1993, including each of the last two in 1992 and 1993 to the Dallas Cowboys. Buffalo was so close so many times to getting their first-ever championship, but they ran into an ascending Dallas team that would win three titles in four years.

While this matchup wouldn't feature Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, or Andre Reed, there is still plenty of firepower to go around. Dak Prescott was in the MVP chase for almost the entirety of the year, while CeeDee Lamb was perhaps the best wide receiver all year. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs are just as talented on the other side, but handling the pass rush of Micah Parsons isn't easy. Buffalo has been one of the hottest teams down the stretch, and the Cowboys seem to thrive in dome settings. Thanks to their history from the past generation along with star power in 2024, this rematch would certainly deliver.

Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions

There aren't many fanbases that have suffered as much as these teams have, as the Lions and Browns are the only two franchises to go 0-16, both occurrences happening in this millennium. These two teams have arguably been the worst since the Super Bowl Era, seemingly holding every negative record in the books. No fanbases out there deserve a championship more than these two teams, to make up for the countless years of suffering.

In addition to two underdog franchises turning the tide, the story of a Joe Flacco and Jared Goff comeback tour would be a perfect duel for both of these teams. Flacco wasn't on a roster at all until the Browns needed a quarterback, while the Rams felt they needed to upgrade from Goff to take the next step. Along with the endless injuries the Browns have suffered, this game would be a true underdog story in so many ways.

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