NFL football: Lions favored for the Super Bowl for the first time

Who will stop the Lions? After 11 Sundays of NFL football, Detroit, for the first time in its history, is the bookies’ favorite to win the Super Bowl. Which has never won or even played, the only franchise in existence since it was born (1967) to have never had that satisfaction. Of course, some will say: it’s better to never get there than to do like the Bills who lost 4 in a row from ’91 to ’94, their only appearances. But let’s go back to today. They are 9-1, they have 3 tough games, two at home (Packers and Bills), one away (49ers, questionable if it really is). The No. 1 seed in the NFC shouldn’t escape him.

eagles

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Also because only one credible rival remains, Philadelphia. It continues to leave us very doubtful about its playoff potential, especially for the person who coaches it, Nick Sirianni, but the fact that it is 8-2, has a devastating Saquon Barkley and an attack that has weapons with Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith both on land and in the air, must necessarily be taken into consideration. The alternatives? Minnesota is 8-2 and a schedule that could reasonably lead them to finish 11-6. But who’s afraid of Sam Darnold in the postseason? Green Bay? He has talent, but it took a blocked field goal and the usual disastrous management of coach Eberflus to beat the Bears. Here too, few certainties. In terms of potential, the Niners’ potential should allow him to get back into the running. But until when can we give him the benefit of the doubt? The sand in the hourglass all fell after the home defeat against Seattle. It’s not their year. Also due to the many injuries.

steelers

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There must be a reason why Mike Tomlin has never closed one under 50% in his career (17 seasons, all with Pittsburgh). And it will be like that this time too. He manages to win without a capable quarterback. Having discarded Justin Fields, it’s not like Russell Wilson is back as the one from the two Super Bowls with the Seahawks. On the contrary. But if you beat archrivals Baltimore with 6 field goals and defense, then chapeau. Here too, however, looking ahead, it is difficult to win in the playoffs with the 15th attack in terms of points scored (23.3 per game). But in the meantime they are first in a division that is anything but simple.

bills

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They stopped the Chiefs for the first time, good. But until they beat them in the playoffs, they will remain “empty” victories. Josh Allen knows this well, he said it several times after the match. At least, however, they have rekindled the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Speaking of Kansas City: we remain convinced that Travis Kelce is being preserved for the playoffs. When they dust it off and polish it, the music will change. And in the meantime they find Isiah Pacheco again for the next one. Defeat is a liberation: the weight of the perfect season ends up crushing you.

Third force

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Speaking of Chiefs and Bills, clear one-two in the conference, who is the third force? Houston would have what it takes, but they lost Stefon Diggs for the entire season and CJ Stroud hasn’t made the step forward that was expected after his extraordinary freshman season. True, they had a lot of injuries. And with Will Anderson and Kamari Lassiter still out, they still won, 34-10, at the home of the derelict Cowboys (even the roof of the stadium collapses, if this isn’t a sign…) on Monday Night. The division is ridiculous, two games with the Titans and one with the Jags, in addition to those with the Chiefs (away), Dolphins and Ravens (at home), project it towards an easy victory. The Chargers are performing even above expectations, but that’s to be expected with Jim Harbaugh at the helm. But even here, at most a nice wild card.

the super bowl of the week

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We don’t remember a season in which in 11 days the two favorites never changed from the preseason. But that’s what the pitch says, Chiefs-Lions.