Josh Allen wins back-to-back MVPs as the Bills win the Super Bowl // James Carter, Staff Writer
Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills. After yet another frustrating end to their season at the hands of the Chiefs, Bills fans are more anxious than ever to get to the Super Bowl. Fortunately for them, the AFC is wide open compared to other seasons. But the Bills still face threats from Baltimore and Kansas City, not to mention upstarts in Houston, Denver and Los Angeles.
The once top-heavy AFC now features five different teams that could make it all the way. However, I think the Bills have the fewest weaknesses of the AFC’s top competitors. The Ravens also need to figure out the playoffs, and the Chiefs showed their mortality against the Eagles last season.
Aided by an inspired Josh Allen, who has had one of the most amazing offseasons ever, the Bills will finally get over that massive hump and represent the AFC in Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl LX. Allen himself finishes with over 4,500 total yards and 40 total touchdowns en route to the best season in Buffalo history — a Super Bowl victory.
Raven’s defense puts them over the top // Thomas Simione, Staff Writer
The NFL season is finally here, and with it, way-too-early predictions of who’s winning it all. There are contenders galore in the AFC and NFC, but one team that has been on the cusp of greatness for years has the greatest chance of winning it all this year.
The Baltimore Ravens, who have been in title contention ever since Lamar Jackson assumed the role of starting quarterback, have put the pieces together to get over the hump and conquer the big game. Any offense led by Jackson is bound to be electric. Add in Derrick Henry, who had a career season last year in purple and black, and the Ravens’ rushing attack is a force in the AFC.
But what makes this team championship-caliber is its stout defense, which should be one of the best in the NFL. There is star power all over the place, from Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins at corner to Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy at linebacker. You also can’t forget about All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, anchoring an already strong secondary.
With the league’s best defense and a phenomenal offense, the Ravens are on the right path to Super Bowl success.
The Red Kingdom has returned // Sean McQuillan, Staff Writer
“Ugh, the Chiefs again.” I know … those complaints were expected. Yet that reaction wasn’t had by NFL fans this offseason. Strangely, Patrick Mahomes drew almost no attention. So the point can stand clearly — the quieter the stage is, the louder Mahomes makes his case as the greatest to ever do it. Alongside Brady, of course.
This Super Bowl already feels like it’s destined for the history books. The Chiefs had their documentary “The Kingdom” drop this summer. Travis Kelce is not only engaged to Taylor Swift but also facing whispers about retirement. Rashee Rice, the team’s top option, is suspended for six games. On paper, the odds look stacked against Mahomes.
And yet — people forget. They forget that this man is the best in the world at what he does. On the biggest stage in sports, he’ll prove it all over again. And when the clock hits zero, every TV around the world will show Mahomes holding the Lombardi trophy in his left hand and an MVP trophy in his right.
Stairway to seven complete // Matthew Scabilloni, Sports Editor
Yes, before you ask, I’m from Pittsburgh. I was born and raised a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so what I’m about to say is absolutely a homer take. But why not the Steelers? Why can’t this become the year Steelers fans have waited for the past 16 years?
The Steelers easily have their best quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger in Aaron Rodgers. Debatably, he’s just as good as — if not better than — 2020 Big Ben, who threw for 33 touchdowns and led the Steelers to a 12-4 record when he started.
Last season, Rodgers threw for 28 touchdowns. What’s stopping him from having similar statistics this year on the Steelers? The answer is nothing — he only has room to improve. Rodgers has a better offensive line than he did in New York, more stability within the organization and one weapon that I think is getting critically underrated.
Recent trade acquisition DK Metcalf has the potential to win Offensive Player of the Year this year — that’s how well I think he will mesh with Rodgers. The big-bodied Jordy Nelson was one of Rodgers’ favorite targets during his time in Green Bay, where the duo amassed 65 touchdowns and over 7,000 yards together. I think this season, Metcalf — here in Pittsburgh — will become what Nelson was to Rodgers in Green Bay.
And I’m not worried about the defense in Pittsburgh — we have Mike Tomlin. That side of the ball won’t be the problem if the Steelers don’t contend this season.
So why not the Steelers hoisting the Lombardi on Feb. 8, 2026? They have what it takes — they just need all the pieces to fall together. Otherwise, this will look horrible in December when they are nearing .500 again.