The 2025 NFL season has two weeks crossed off the list, and we have some real-deal contenders to discuss.
While not all of the NFL's Super Bowl threats have a perfect record right now (hey, Baltimore Ravens), the 2-0 teams always get a lot of attention this time of year. Going perfect to start the season can snowball into something great.
Sometimes, a 2-0 start can be a mirage, but it can also be a compelling sign of what's to come. We've gone through all of the 2-0 NFL teams and ranked them by how confident we are in their Super Bowl chances. Some teams are sure bets (Buffalo Bills), while some teams give us a bit more pause (sorry, Cincinnati Bengals).
Let's go through these 2025 teams and figure out who the most formidable title contenders are thus far.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are the 2-0 team with the worst vibes after losing superstar quarterback Joe Burrow for multiple months with a toe injury. Burrow is a perennial MVP candidate, but his health has been a real question in the last couple of seasons. Cincinnati can survive with backup quarterback Jake Browning, but for how long? This Bengals defense isn't quite good enough to consistently slow down the NFL's best offenses. Browning has played well for Cincy in the past in Burrow's stead, but asking him to do so every week for most of the season is a challenge. We'll see how the Bengals respond to such a brutal blow in losing Burrow, but they inspire the least amount of confidence in contending for a Super Bowl right now. If the team can stay alive for January and Burrow gets back, who knows?
9. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are the surprise of the season, but can we buy them as Super Bowl contenders right now? Not yet. We need to see quarterback Daniel Jones do this once teams get tape on this new-look Colts. We love running back Jonathan Taylor being his old self. This Colts defense looks improved with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, too. If this keeps up, coach Shane Steichen will go from being on the hot seat to a Coach of the Year contender. That Denver Broncos win is impressive. However, this has to keep up. Indianapolis is the feel-good story of the NFL season so far as the team honors late owner Jim Irsay. If Indianapolis can win the AFC South, this will be a heck of a resurgence. However, to be considered among the NFL's elite, the Colts will need to keep the good times rolling.
8. San Francisco 49ers
The injury bug hasn't been kind to the 49ers this year (or in recent years, rally). Losing tight end George Kittle for the meantime is a tough blow. Having quarterback Brock Purdy deal with turf toe doesn't help, either. However, backup quarterback Mac Jones helped the Niners get a road win against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. That might not seem like much, but getting any wins while Purdy is out is a huge win. San Francisco is going to have to stay healthy to really push in the NFC, but they have the personnel and coaching to cause a lot of problems. We'll see how this offense does with Jones getting more starts. For now, they're close with the Cards in our mind.
7. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals aren't the flashiest team in the NFL. They'll need to get wins over better teams than the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers to get higher on this list. However, quarterback Kyler Murray has taken six sacks this season. Averaging three sacks taken a game can't stick if this Arizona team wants to make its impact in the NFC. We like a lot about what this Cardinals team can do at its best, but we want to see them clean up some of those lapses. Almost getting upset by the Panthers in a fourth-quarter comeback alone makes us a little wary of Arizona right now, at least when it comes to competing for a Super Bowl. Winning the division? Well within reach.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are 2-0 yet again, and they're absolutely going to be a threat to win the NFC South again. Tampa Bay isn't even at full health right now, missing key starters like tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing some of the best football of his career, and rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka is shining already. The Tampa defense is also a headache for opposing offenses. The Atlanta Falcons are going to give the Bucs a run for their money for the division, but the Bucs have so much going for them this season. They're legit.
5. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams aren't perfect, but they're still one of the better teams in the NFC. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is shoving those offseason concerns about his health away with inspired play, and the Rams defense is making life tough for opposing offenses. We're not sure who will emerge in the NFC West this year, but the Rams give us the most confidence through two weeks. Although, Stafford staying healthy will decide a lot about how this fall goes.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Don't look now, but the Chargers might be the best team in the AFC West. Quarterback Justin Herbert is playing like an MVP candidate, and this Chargers defense is outrageously good. We need to see the Chargers sustain this improvement over the course of a long season before we start talking Super Bowls, but so far, a great start.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are defending their Super Bowl win with style, even if the results are a bit tight. Winning close is what good teams do, and Philadelphia doesn't seem to be showing many signs of a Super Bowl hangover. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is off to a mighty fine start, and this Eagles defense has carried over most of its 2024 momentum. Sure, the secondary might not be quite as potent as last season, but this Eagles team can make it back to the big game.
2. Green Bay Packers
Not every team gets to trade for a superstar pass-rusher right before the season starts, but you can't fault the Packers for capitalizing on that incredible luck. Adding outside linebacker Micah Parsons to an already formidable defense has turned this Green Bay team into one of the most ferocious title contenders in the league. Watching this team dismantle the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders back-to-back was proof enough for us.
1. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are the best team in football this season. Between their dramatic comeback over the Baltimore Ravens and their New York Jets walloping, quarterback Josh Allen looks like his old self. This Buffalo defense looks terrifying, too. A 2-0 record isn't a surprise, and the Bills will keep adding wins to that tally. A Super Bowl win is within reach.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ranking the 2-0 NFL teams (Colts?!) by Super Bowl chances
Reporting by Cory Woodroof, For The Win / For The Win
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect