Way-Too-Early Super Bowl 2025 Prediction: Are the Packers and Bengals the Teams to Beat?
The confetti has barely settled from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs (40-22), yet the NFL rumor mill is already churning at full speed. While it’s impossible to predict the future with certainty, one can analyze team performances, offseason moves, and potential trajectories to identify early Super Bowl contenders. So, let’s dive into a way-too-early prediction for Super Bowl 2026, asking the question: Are the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals poised to be the teams to beat?
The Case for the Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers surprised many in 2024, finishing with an 11-6 record and making a strong statement in the NFC. Quarterback Jordan Love, after a period of adjustment following the departure of Aaron Rodgers, showcased his potential, throwing for over 4,100 yards and leading the Packers to a playoff berth. While they were eliminated in the wildcard round by the Eagles, the experience gained and the team’s overall trajectory point towards a promising future.
Offensive Firepower: The Packers’ offense boasts a mix of established talent and emerging stars. The addition of running back Josh Jacobs in the offseason provides a significant boost to the running game, complementing Love’s passing abilities. The receiving corps, led by young talents like Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, offers Love a variety of targets. The Packers also made moves to bolster their offensive line, drafting tackle Jordan Morgan to solidify the unit and protect their prized quarterback.
Defensive Improvements: Under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers’ defense made significant strides in 2024. They improved from 28th to seventh in rushing yards allowed, 17th to fifth in total yards allowed, and 10th to sixth in points allowed. Key additions like safety Xavier McKinney have solidified the secondary, while young players like linebacker Edgerrin Cooper have emerged as impact players. With a young and improving core, the Packers’ defense has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in 2025. Rookie safety Javon Bullard has confidently stated, “We’re going to be dangerous,” reflecting the team’s high expectations for the defense.
Favorable Salary Cap Situation: The Packers are in a favorable salary cap situation, allowing them to retain key players and potentially add more talent in the future. This financial flexibility provides them with a significant advantage over teams with limited cap space.
Areas for Improvement: Despite their strengths, the Packers still have areas to address. They struggled against their divisional rivals, going 1-5 against the Lions, Vikings and Bears. Improving their performance in these crucial matchups will be essential for winning the NFC North. The pass rush also needs to be more consistent, particularly against top-tier opponents.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ Resurgence
The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 season was a rollercoaster, finishing with a 9-8 record and missing the playoffs. The injury to quarterback Joe Burrow significantly hampered their Super Bowl aspirations. However, with Burrow expected to be fully healthy in 2025, the Bengals are poised to return to contention.
Elite Quarterback Play: Joe Burrow is the engine that drives the Bengals’ offense. When healthy, he is one of the top quarterbacks in the league, capable of making all the throws and leading his team to victory. His connection with star receiver Ja’Marr Chase is among the most potent in the NFL.
Offensive Additions: The Bengals have made several key additions to their offense in the offseason. The signing of tight end Mike Gesicki provides Burrow with another reliable target in the passing game. The Bengals also addressed their offensive line concerns by drafting Amarius Mims, who has the potential to become a dominant force at tackle. The addition of Zack Moss at running back will bolster the running game.
Defensive Adjustments: The Bengals’ defense struggled in 2024, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards allowed. To address this, they signed defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to bolster their defensive line. The Bengals will need their defense to improve significantly if they hope to contend for a Super Bowl title.
Areas for Improvement: The Bengals’ offensive line must provide better protection for Burrow, who was sacked 48 times in 2024. The defense needs to generate more consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and improve their pass coverage. The Bengals also need to address their slow starts, as they struggled to win games early in the season.
The Verdict: Packers vs. Bengals in Super Bowl 2026?
While it’s still very early, the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals have the potential to be Super Bowl contenders in 2025. Both teams have young, talented quarterbacks, explosive offenses, and improving defenses. However, several factors could derail their Super Bowl aspirations, including injuries, inconsistent play, and tough competition in their respective conferences.
Other Contenders: The NFL is a league of parity, and several other teams will be vying for a Super Bowl title in 2025. The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl LIX victory, are the early favorites. The Kansas City Chiefs, despite their Super Bowl loss, remain a formidable force. Other contenders include the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers.
Way-Too-Early Prediction: It’s difficult to pick a Super Bowl winner this far in advance, but based on their current trajectories, the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals are certainly teams to watch. If both teams can stay healthy and continue to improve, a Packers-Bengals Super Bowl in 2026 is not out of the realm of possibility.