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Mike Fanelli explains how each of the four remaining playoff teams can win the Super Bowl. How can the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions come away as Super Bowl winners?
The 2023 NFL season began with 32 teams in the mix to win the Super Bowl. After 18 weeks of regular season action, 14 teams qualify for the postseason. Now, we are down to four teams after two weeks of the playoffs.
The Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions will play for the right to play in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Baltimore and San Francisco are the No. 1 seeds and had impressive performances last week. Meanwhile, Kansas City and Detroit hope to pull off the upset on Sunday.
All four teams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Let’s see how each one could come away as Super Bowl Champions.
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How Can The Baltimore Ravens Win The Super Bowl?
The Ravens had one of the top defenses during the regular season. They held their opponents to 16.5 points per game, the fewest in the NFL. Baltimore had three players with nine or more sacks this year: Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney, and Kyle Van Noy. Madubuike had a career season in the final year of his rookie contract, totaling 13 sacks. By comparison, he had 8.5 sacks over his first three years in the NFL.
While the defense was lights out all season, the offense had some rocky moments. Despite losing J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell to season-ending injuries, the Ravens had the top rushing attack in the league. They ranked first in rushing attempts (541) and yards (2,661) during the regular season while ranking fourth in touchdowns (26). With all the injuries at running back, Lamar Jackson put the rushing attack on his back.
Last week, the superstar quarterback was outstanding in the win over the Houston Texans. He had two passing touchdowns, two rushing scores, and 100 yards on the ground. Baltimore will need another superhero-like performance to defeat the Chiefs on Sunday. Regardless of who they face in the Super Bowl, the Ravens will need Jackson to take over on the ground and in the passing game to bring him the Lombardi Trophy.
How Can The Kansas City Chiefs Win The Super Bowl?
Kansas City is the reigning Super Bowl champion. Yet, many thought they wouldn’t make it this far a few months ago. The offense wasn’t as explosive during the regular season compared to past years. Travis Kelce missed out on 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2015. Meanwhile, the Chiefs took their time getting Rashee Rice into a full-time role. Thankfully, the future Hall of Fame tight end got going last week.
Kelce played like a superstar in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. Despite having only five receptions on six targets, the veteran had 75 receiving yards and the first two Kansas City touchdowns in the victory. Hopefully, Patrick Mahomes, Kelce, and Rice can continue to play like they have during the playoffs. The Ravens’ defense will have a tough time containing them at their peak in the AFC Championship game.
The Chiefs held their opponents to only 17.3 points per game during the regular season, the second-fewest in the NFL. However, they’ve had trouble containing quarterbacks during the playoffs. Tua Tagovailoa rarely takes off and runs, but he had 25 rushing yards against Kansas City two weeks ago. Then, Josh Allen had 72 rushing yards against them last week. The Chiefs must contain Lamar Jackson if they are going to make another Super Bowl appearance.
How Can The San Francisco 49ers Win The Super Bowl?
While many still believe Brock Purdy is a “system quarterback” or a “game manager,” the second-year player was outstanding in 2023. He finished third in the NFL in passing touchdowns (31). The 49ers have the best set of weapons in the league. Deebo Samuel (seven), Brandon Aiyuk (seven), and George Kittle (six) combined for 60.6% of the team’s receiving touchdowns during the regular season. Yet, they weren’t the most important part of the offense.
Christian McCaffrey is a future Hall of Famer because of his elite production on the ground and in the passing game. The superstar running back led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards, a career-high. He also led the league in offensive touchdowns (21). Despite having 272 rushing attempts, McCaffrey finished second on the team in receptions (67) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (seven).
Last week, the superstar running back had two rushing touchdowns in the win over the Green Bay Packers, including the game-winner with just over a minute left in the contest. San Francisco’s defense has played well, but not at the same elite level we’ve seen in the past. Therefore, the offense must play at a high level to defeat the Lions and the winner of the Chiefs/Ravens contest in the Super Bowl.
How Can The Detroit Lions Win The Super Bowl?
What an amazing story Detroit has been this year. The Lions nearly made the playoffs last season, giving many high hopes for 2023. Not only did they make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but Detroit won the NFC North division title for the first time. Furthermore, they have had two playoff wins over the past two weeks. By comparison, the Lions had two playoff wins over the previous 66 years.
Unfortunately, Detroit has the worst defense of the four remaining teams. They surrendered 23.2 points per game during the regular season, the 10th-most in the NFL. While their secondary struggled, Aidan Hutchinson was a wrecking ball for opposing offensive lines. The second-year superstar had 11.5 sacks, more than double anyone else on the team. He has recorded at least one sack in four consecutive games. Hutchinson must keep up his recent hot play for the Lions to reach the Super Bowl.
However, the offense is the more important side of the ball for Detroit. Jared Goff has had an impressive year, partly thanks to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The superstar wide receiver set career highs in receptions (119), targets (164), receiving yards (1,515), and touchdowns (10), leading the Lions in every category. While they must face two talented defenses to become Super Bowl champions, Detroit can pull it off if St. Brown continues to play at a superstar level.
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