NFL: Updated Super Bowl Picture as Season 2024 Reaches Apex

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As the 2024 NFL season reaches its pinnacle, the race to Super Bowl LIX is tighter than ever. Throughout the entirety of the league, teams are battling it out, jostling for position in a bid to win their respective division or secure one of the two wildcard spots available in each conference. And it’s the race for those wildcard spots that is looking incredibly close. 

In the AFC, the playoff picture is increasingly looking like any two of the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, and the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite Cincy’s woes so far this term – currently sitting with a 4-6 record – they have an absolute juggernaut of an offense led by quarterback ace Joe Burrow.

Despite slipping to six defeats so far this term, two of those defeats have been by just a single point to the heavyweight Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, and with a run-in against some weaker teams, they may well pip the two other contenders to a spot in the postseason. 

Over in the NFC, things are a little murkier. All four divisions have at least two teams battling it out for divisional honors, meaning that eight or more teams are vying for six playoff spots. Predicting who will reach the postseason in the conference is almost impossible. 

One thing that hasn’t been impossible for the bookies, however, is to price up just who exactly they think will leave the New Orleans Superdome with the Lombardi Trophy in February. Let’s take a look at their updated odds as the 2024 season hots up. 

Kansas City Chiefs – Super Bowl Champions

The reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs have started the 2024 season in blistering fashion, winning all nine of their games without truly settling the world alight with their performances.

They claimed their second straight Lombardi at the most recent Super Bowl back in February, where Usher and others performed, and they have started their quest for a historic three-peat in perfect fashion.

Not only would it take a brave punter to back against them emulating the 2007 New England Patriots – the last team to complete a perfect regular season – it would also be a brave bet backing against them going all the way once more. 

We can see that in the bookies’ responses. Courtesy of their perfect start, popular websites that allow one to bet on sports in Canada and elsewhere make the Chiefs a short-priced +350 to claim the Lombardi once again this term.

Led by the ever-dominant duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, KC simply doesn’t know how to lose, no matter how badly they may appear to have played. 

Their recent victory against the Denver Broncos underscored this, not really looking that great but ultimately blocking a last-gasp field goal attempt to somehow secure yet another victory. 

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have emerged as the frontrunners in the NFC, carrying odds of +450 to lift the Lombardi for the first time in history.

In fact, the Motor City side has never even reached the Big Game before, and before last season, they had never won their NFC North division. Their ascent over the last two seasons then has been nothing short of sensational. 

The Lions are fueled by an explosive offense orchestrated by creative head coach Dan Campbell. He has transformed the fortunes of quarterback Jarred Goff, who has simply been unable to miss his targets over the last 18 months.

Well, minus their most recent victory against the Houston Texans that is, where Goff threw a whopping five interceptions and still managed to emerge victorious. 

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is arguably one of the top three wideouts in the league, alongside the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Tyreek Hill, while running back David Montgomery is also no slouch. Detroit looks like the team to beat in the NFC, but their lack of experience under the grand lights of the postseason may yet be their downfall. 

Baltimore Ravens

Last season, many thought the Baltimore Ravens were the antidote to the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat capabilities led him to his second MVP award, while his team finished as the best-ranked side in the entire league, with an impressive 13-4 record.

Ultimately, though, the Chiefs had the last laugh, beating the Ravens in the AFC Championship game en route to winning the Super Bowl for the third time in four years. 

Baltimore has started 2024 impressively once again, winning seven of their first ten and securing a +600 pricing with the bookies. The sensational Jackson has been on fire once more, leading the league in terms of total touchdowns with a whopping 26 total, and he looks well on course for another MVP award.

He is now supported by the powerhouse Derrick Henry as running back, who has picked up a mighty 12 touchdowns on the ground, and he is also a league-best.