Top 5 Super Bowl Contenders for 2020
26 August 2020
By: Paulina Vairo
​
With the 2020 season soon approaching, here are the top five contenders to win the Super Bowl this season.
​
5. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson still got it, especially after a successful 2019 season (Photo Credit: Dean Rutz/ The Seattle Times)
The Seahawks had a decent season in 2019. They finished the season 11-5 and second in the NFC West. They made it to the playoffs, however, they lost to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round.
​
Russell Wilson had a solid year in 2019, totaling 4,110 passing yards and 31 touchdown passes. The Seahawks offense last year was also solid, totaling 137.5 rushing yards per game and averaging 25.3 points per game.
​
The Seahawks will look to continue their dominating offense, starting with wide receivers D.K Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Combined, Metcalf and Locket totaled 1,957 rushing yards and 15 touchdown catches.
The defense had some issues last season, especially with quarterback protection. The Seahawks ranked second to last in sacks with only 23 last season, they also averaged six yards per play. To fix the Seahawks defensive woes, they drafted linebacker Jordan Brooks from Texas Tech in the first round.
If the Seahawks can improve their defense, they can make another playoff push and be one of the top contenders for a Super Bowl win this season.
​
​
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had a huge offseason that will help improve from their disappointing 9-7 season in 2019. The Bucs acquired six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady to their team to replace former first overall draft pick, Jameis Winston. This decision came after Winston failed to perform up to
expectations and failing to make it to the playoffs in his time with the Bucs.
​
Brady has proven to his doubters that he can still play even in his 40s after winning Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. This season will be hit for miss for Brady. Only playing for one team and coach his whole career, no one knows what to expect from Brady this season.
​
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski will be reunited again in hope to winning another Super Bowl together (Photo Credit: Ian Glendon/ Full Press Coverage)
Another huge acquirement that the Bucs got this offseason was tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronk came out of retirement this season and will be reunited with Brady in Tampa for this season. The partnership of Gronk and Brady will be a huge lift to the Buccaneers offense.
The defense on the Bucs looks sharp coming into the 2020 season. Linebacker Shaq Barret will be returning, and he had an outstanding year as he was the league leader in sacks. They will also have linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on defense, who found success last season.
​
Look for the Bucs to be one of the top teams in the league who can be a dangerous threat in the postseason.
​
3. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers had a phenomenal year in 2019. Not only did they finish the season 13-3, but they also made it to the Super Bowl.
Last season was Jimmy Garoppolo’s first full season as a quarterback, and it was a successful one. Garoppolo ended the regular season with 27 touchdown passes, a 69.1 percent completion rate and 3,978 passing yards. He also led the 49ers to their first Super Bowl appearance since 2013.
The 49ers did lose some valuable players in the offseason in defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and offensive tackle Joe Staley. The offense for the 49ers still looks to be in good shape, with both tight end George Kittle and running back Raheem Mostert returning. San Francisco also drafted wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from Arizona State to replace Sanders.
​
The 49ers defense was monstrous last season, only allowing an average of 281.81 yards per game and allowing an average of 19 points per game. The heart of the 49ers’ defense will be returning in 2020 and that is cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive tackle Arik Armstead.
After a disappointing Super Bowl loss back in February, the 49ers look to have another great season in the hopes of returning to the Super Bowl again. With little change done to the team, the 49ers will continue to be a top-five team heading into the 2020 season
​
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens last year had an extraordinary year, even though their result did not reflect the amount of success they had in 2019. Besides the disappointing divisional-round defeat against the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs, the Ravens had a historic season.
​
Offensively, the Ravens ranked first in rushing yards with 3,296 and first in points in 531. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was the man behind the Ravens’ success in 2019. Statically, the Ravens had a far better season than the Chiefs, however, the Chiefs continued to dominate throughout the playoffs while the Ravens slacked off, which ultimately resulted in a loss in the playoffs.
​
It would be almost impossible for the Ravens to outdo their performance from 2019 this season; however, they can still have the same amount of success. The Ravens had a quiet offseason and many players from last season will be returning including running back Mark Ingram, wide receiver Marquise Brown, tight end Mark Andrews and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley.
​
John Harbaugh has had a lot of success with the Ravens since he was named head coach in 2008. Harbaugh has coached the Ravens for 12 seasons and only had one losing season. He also has one Super Bowl victory with the Ravens back in 2013 and he is looking to win another one.
The Ravens are expected to have another great season and are expected to make the playoffs. They are also a top favorite to win the Super Bowl this season with very little changes done to the team this offseason.
​
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes celebrating his first Super Bowl win in Miami on Feb. 2 (Photo Credit: William Purnell/ Getty Images)
There is no doubt that the Chiefs are the favorites to win the Super Bowl again after a dominating postseason run last season. The Chiefs in the offseason also gave Mahomes one of the biggest contracts in sports history with a 10-year, $503 million dollar deal.
​
The wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins combined last season for 1,533 yards gained and 10 touchdown catches. Travis Kelce was also another big part of the Chief’s offense with 1,229 yards gained and six touchdowns.
​
The defense for the Chiefs does need some work, as it struggled during the regular season. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end Frank Clark were the heart of Chiefs’ defense last season. Combined they both totaled 17 sacks and 34 quarterback hits.
So much is expected from the Chiefs this season as it is a Super Bowl or bust year for them. With a leader like Patrick Mahomes on their team, the Chiefs can create a huge football dynasty. Don’t expect the Chiefs to go anywhere as they will definitely be a top team this season and a number one contender to win the Super Bowl in 2020.
​
(Article can also be seen at https://thegamehaus.com/nfl/top-5-super-bowl-contenders-for-2020/2020/08/26/ )