Only seven teams in the entire NFL have a realistic shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this February, and our defending champs are going to have to fight harder than ever to stay on top. The 2025 season showed us that miracles can happen, with a bottom-feeder like the Patriots making it to the Super Bowl. But let’s be real, 12s, those Cinderella stories hit maybe once a decade. Typically, we can spot the real contenders before a single snap. And this year, the competition for that top spot looks absolutely brutal, especially with what went down in LA.
LA Built a Defensive Monster That Checks Every Box
Talk about an offseason! The Rams were already a team to watch, just one unlucky two-point conversion away from home-field advantage in the playoffs last year. That easily could have pushed Sean McVay’s squad to the Super Bowl. Most teams would just run it back, hope for better luck, right? Not LA. They went out and pulled off some absolutely massive moves. First, they traded for Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Then, they snagged a lockdown corner in Trent McDuffie. And the shocker that still has the league buzzing: they lured Aaron Donald out of retirement! Seriously, Aaron Donald is back! They were already Super Bowl favorites, but with those additions? They’re the clear favorites now.
This Rams team checks every single box. Everyone’s buzzing about Garrett joining the defensive line, but don’t sleep on the cornerback room. Adding McDuffie and Jaylen Watson is huge. Last season, you could pick on the Rams’ secondary, push them around. Not anymore. With two physical corners like McDuffie and Watson, plus Garrett and Donald collapsing the pocket, opposing quarterbacks are going to be under siege. Finding open receivers will be a nightmare. Sure, there are still some questions on offense. If Davante Adams or Puka Nacua get hurt, they might lack that big-play punch. The offensive line looks a little thin, and reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, heading into his age-38 season, needs all the protection he can get. Still, this is arguably the most talented roster in the NFL, led by one of the best coaches in Sean McVay. It’s Super Bowl-or-bust for them.
Our Champs Took Some Shots, But Macdonald Will Deliver
Yeah, our defending champs took some hits this offseason. We lost running back Kenneth Walker, a tough pill to swallow, and a handful of second-tier starters on defense moved on. It’s never easy to keep a championship roster fully intact. But listen, largely, this is the same incredible team that brought the Lombardi home to the Emerald City back in February. Honestly, if the Rams hadn’t gone on that absolute spending spree and brought back a legend, we’d probably be looking at our boys as the undeniable favorites to repeat. One thing we can absolutely bank on, though: head coach Mike Macdonald will have his defense playing…
This early season is going to be a gut check, 12s. The target is on our back at Lumen Field and everywhere else we play. We know what our team is capable of, but with the Rams making those moves, every single game is going to feel like a heavyweight fight. Get ready for some high-stakes football right from the jump.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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