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We’re a day away from REAL football returning to our televisions. So, of course, we need to look into our crystal balls to predict who will be the final two teams standing this season, along with the winner of Super Bowl LIV. Our writers have many takes that they share with you below.

Free NFL Week 1 Picks from TeamRankings (Pick’em, Survivor, Betting) »

Los Angeles Chargers (AFC) vs. Los Angeles Rams (NFC) — Winner Rams
I’m looking for three things in a Super Bowl contender: Progressive coaching philosophy (i.e., not on team #EstablishtheRun), a franchise quarterback, and an above-average defense. There are a wide range of favorites in both conferences, with one common flaw, defense. the Chiefs and Saints both have suspect defensive units, and the Patriots have a suspect offensive unit, which figures to be run-heavy. I like the Rams and the Eagles about equally, but I give the edge to the Rams offensively in the skill position players. In the AFC, it’s hard to bet on a young Browns team with little to no playoff experience, so I like the Chargers, who are incredibly balanced on both sides of the ball and have a criminally underrated franchise quarterback who belongs in the Hall of Fame (don’t @ me). I like the Rams to take it all because they are riding the benefit of a rookie contract for Jared Goff and are a deeper roster throughout.
– Mark Leipold (@LeipoldNFL)

Kansas City Chiefs (AFC) vs. Los Angeles Rams (NFC) — Winner Rams
I’m going to go ahead and predict that we get that epic Monday Night rematch here. There are really only three teams (KC, LAC, NE) in the AFC that I can see making it, and KC appears to be the cream of the crop. There are way more in the NFC who could make it, but it’s hard to doubt the talent on this Rams’ team. Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, Aaron Donald, Marcus Peters, and Eric Weddle. That’s only the core of their team, and I truly believe this is the best roster I’ve seen in a decade.
– Joel Bartilotta (@Bartilottajoel)

New England Patriots (AFC) vs. New Orleans Saints (NFC) — Winner Saints
I’m done trying to find the team that’ll dethrone Belichick and Brady in the AFC, as the team simply gameplans too well when it matters most and now have a much more well-rounded team that doesn’t simply rely on Brady. They also happen to play in one of the easiest divisions in football, which will allow them to coast their way into the playoffs. The Saints have been ramping up over the last few years and should’ve been in the Super Bowl last year. Can you see the headlines now? Brady versus Brees. The Saints have had the offense capable of winning for years, though it’s taken time to get the defense where they want it. They’ve stacked talent and even have depth on the defensive side of the ball.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

Los Angeles Chargers (AFC) vs. New Orleans Saints (NFC) — Winner Saints
The Packers are so improved on defense that they were almost the pick here, but New Orleans is still the class of the NFC. They have a top-five offensive line, great playmakers, an all-time great quarterback still playing at his most efficient level, and quietly a top-10 defense that seems to improve every year. I’ve got them taking down the Los Angeles Chargers in the Super Bowl, who mind you, tied the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West title last season despite a myriad of injuries. If not for the Derwin James injury already this preseason, I’d likely have the winner flipped.
– Bobby Sylvester (@bobbyfantasypro)

Kansas City Chiefs (AFC) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC) — Winner Chiefs
How great of a narrative would it be if head coach Andy Reid aimed for his first Super Bowl title against his former team? I believe that both teams are just balanced enough to make this matchup possible. As much maligned as Kansas City’s defense was last year, they were a Dee Ford offsides penalty from winning the AFC. In the offseason, they hired new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They also added key players like Frank Clark, Emmanuel Ogbah, Alex Okafor, and Tyrann Mathieu. Coach Reid and the front office also think running back LeSean McCoy has enough left in the tank to complement Damien Williams in the backfield. The Eagles are one of the most balanced teams in the league and are just one full season removed from their own Super Bowl championship. If Carson Wentz can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for this dynamic offense. I expect both teams to win their divisions comfortably, which increases the possibility that they earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Andy Reid will get the best of his former team in a highly entertaining Super Bowl.
– Mike Spector (@MikeSpector01)

Kansas City Chiefs (AFC) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC) — Winner Chiefs
Kansas City has, in my opinion, the best offense in the NFL by a sizeable margin and should continue to scorch opposing defenses in 2019 as the majority of their contributors from last season are returning. In fact, they somehow found a way to get better on that side of the ball. The addition of LeSean McCoy and Mecole Hardman on the outside add more depth to an already loaded offense. There are zero question marks regarding the offense but the entirety of every media pundit’s concerns in regards to the Chiefs revolves around the defense. They were a dumpster fire at times last year, but they were one offsides penalty away from going to the Super Bowl with that terrible defense. They’ve made significant adjustments to scheme as well as personnel, and frankly, they cannot be worse than what was featured last season. Frank Clark and Emmanuel Ogbah should provide some level of consistency in the front seven while Tyrann Mathieu will look to do the same in the secondary. I’m normally not a huge believer in public narratives, but it genuinely seems like Andy Reid is due for a Super Bowl victory and this roster might be his best chance to capture one before retirement.
– Shane Davies (@sbdavies7)

New England Patriots (AFC) vs. Chicago Bears (NFC) — Winner Patriots
Who has consistently revolutionized the NFL and always been one step ahead of the rest of the league? That’s right, Bill Belichick. It’s happened time and time before, and it’s not going to stop this season. While everyone else is throwing the air out of the football, the Patriots are going to ride their ground game to a second straight Super Bowl. Sony Michel will lead the league in rushing touchdowns, and James White will catch 80+ balls out of the backfield. To make things even better for the Pats, Tom Brady will also get a healthy Rob Gronkowski back in Week 11 after the bye. Yep, Gronk won’t be able to resist one last Super Bowl run. As for the Chicago Bears, they were a kicker short of making a deep run into the playoffs just one year ago. Matt Nagy will get the absolute most out of the mouthwatering talent the Bears possess on his way to winning the Coach of the Year Award. Mitchell Trubisky will take a huge leap forward, and the balanced Bears will roll through the NFC. However, it won’t be enough to knock off the defending, repeat champion Patriots in the Super Bowl. Give me the GOATs for one final time.
– Alex Altmix (@Altmix_23)

New England Patriots (AFC) vs. New Orleans Saints (NFC) — Winner Patriots
Until a team actually dethrones the Patriots in the AFC, I will continue to pick them as long as Tom Brady is under center. Coming off a sixth Super Bowl win, it’s hard not to envision the Patriots winning it all. Even without Gronk, they still have the best head coach and one of the most all-around complete teams. With most of their core players returning, Brady will be looking to add ring number seven to his legacy. For the NFC, it’s the New Orleans Saints. They were one horrible no-call away from making it to the Super Bowl. With an explosive offense led by Brees-Kamara-Thomas and a revamped defense (newly acquired Kiko Alonso), the Saints should be able to overtake the St. Louis Rams to win the NFC. Tom Brady versus Drew Brees. The narrative of two quarterbacks both in their 40s in an end-of-an-era Super Bowl would be one for the ages. My pick is the Patriots to beat the Saints 31-27 in Super Bowl 54.
– Brad Camara (@beerad30)

Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC) — Winner Eagles
I thought that the Eagles were one of the more impressive teams of 2018 when it came to overcoming adversity. Quarterback Carson Wentz missed five regular-season games and two playoff games with injuries. Their running game went from ranking third in yardage gained to 28th in yardage gained. Their defense went from fourth in points allowed and yards allowed to 12th and 23rd in those statistical areas. They still managed to win nine regular-season games, sneak into the playoffs as the sixth seed, win a road game in Chicago, and take a 14-0 lead at New Orleans before losing 20-14 in the Divisional Round. Wentz should be healthy and good to go this year, they have added some new running backs and wide receivers, and they have retooled the defense. Head coach Doug Pederson has shown he can keep a team together when everything is falling apart around him. They have what it takes to be a yearly Super Bowl contender, and I think they will win the Super Bowl over a Steelers team that is also motivated to put the adversity of the 2018 season behind them. Last year they were team chaos with running back Le’Veon Bell holding out and wide receiver Antonio Brown being a locker room distraction. Both players are no longer in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are looking for a fresh start after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and things have been quiet in Pittsburgh this offseason. They found a lot of young players that contributed last year and are ready to step up in 2019, and they added rookie linebacker Devin Bush, who should be a difference-maker. I think the Eagles have a little more depth on the roster than the Steelers, and they would win what would be a very exciting Super Bowl between two balanced teams.
– Derek Lofland (@DerekLofland)

Los Angeles Chargers (AFC) vs. New Orleans Saints (NFC) — Winner Chargers
This is finally the year Philip Rivers gets his ring. With all eyes on Kansas City and New England in the AFC, the Chargers have the ability to lay low all regular season and still find a way to gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Rivers has a plethora of weapons, led by Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and even with Melvin Gordon seeking a trade, he’s doing so in a quiet distraction-free way. Even if they lose Gordon, Austin Ekeler and Joshua Jackson are more than capable to share the load in the backfield and wreak havoc on defenses with screen passes. But what sets them apart is their defense. With players like Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, and Derwin James, this is one of the most well-rounded defenses in the entire league, something that cannot be said of New England or Kansas City. The NFC is a lot tougher to predict, with eight teams with legitimate chances to make it to the final Sunday of the season. I’ll go with Drew Brees and the Saints, but ultimately I think they fall short against the Chargers more complete team.
– Philip Wood (@Phil_Wood_Jr)

Indianapolis Colts (AFC) vs. Atlanta Falcons (NFC) — Winner Falcons
These picks have nothing to do with odds, but what’s the point in picking favorites to go all the way? This year is about revenge for the Falcons as they’re completely removed from their debacle against the Patriots. New coordinator Dirk Koetter is a boost to the offense, but the defense is the side of the ball that should see the biggest improvement. Deion Jones and Keanu Neal are the big names returning to the group, but they have a lot of second and third-year players that could lead to them being a top-10 defense, especially along the line. As for the Colts, it’s mostly a “Nobody Believes In Us” play because no one believes in them with Jacoby Brissett. The part people are missing is that the Colts still have an elite offensive line, more receiving talent than a year ago, and an all-around better defense whether through experience or addition. The odds are long on both teams, but I’m not sure there are many others that stand out in terms of talent.
– Adam Zdroik (@RotoZdroik)

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