With the opening Thursday Night Football showdown still yet to kick off, Super Bowl 59 might feel like a lifetime away, but trust me, it’s never too early to start dreaming about the epic matchups we could see on the biggest stage in football.
The 2024 season has all of the makings of a classic—with the Kansas City Chiefs looking to make history—and everyone else taking aim at the defending back-to-back champs.
That said, there is no guarantee that K.C. will be representing the AFC in the big game… So, whether it’s a clash of titans, a battle of young guns, or a faceoff between historic rivals, there are some potential Super Bowl matchups that have fans—and analysts—absolutely drooling.
Without further ado, how about we explore ten matchups that would electrify football fans come February?
Which Super Bowl match-up are you excited to see at the end of the season?
10. Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions
There is a lot to love about a potential showdown between two franchises that have historically been two of the NFL’s most lovable losers.
Really—this would be the ultimate underdog showdown, as both teams were perennial cellar-dwellers until very recently… so a Super Bowl appearance by even one of these teams would be well received by the public—and rich with storylines of diehard fans and so on!
Especially for the Lions, who are one of the NFL’s oldest franchises.
Now imagine both of these long-suffering franchises finally getting their moment in the sun—it would be a true Cinderella showdown!
But it’s not just about the feel-good vibes.
We’re talking about a great match-up here as well.
With C.J. Stroud leading the Texans and a revitalized Jared Goff directing the Lions, this would be a matchup of two quarterbacks guiding their respective teams through extremely impressive transformative periods.
And both teams have invested heavily in young talent on the offensive side of the ball, which would make for an electric display of fire power.
And with so much on the line for both franchises, this game would be as hard-fought as any—and a physical contest where every yard matters.
9. San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
Next, we have a matchup that’s all about the chess match—Shanahan vs. McDaniel. The master versus the apprentice.
Kyle Shanahan’s offensive brilliance against his former protégé, Mike McDaniel, would be a fascinating chess showdown with both coaches so well-versed in each other’s tendencies—and desperately trying to out-scheme the other.
This would also be a fascinating stylistic matchup: Speed vs. Power.
The Dolphins’ feature blazing speed on offense, with the likes of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle split out wide and De’Von Achane in the backfield, meanwhile the 49ers play a more physical, bruising style of play led by Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel.
Both offenses are a spectacle in their own right—and the juxtaposition would create a captivating clash of philosophies.
With the way these two teams can move the ball—anything could happen… But I best believe it would be an entertaining matchup!
8. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams
Now, this would be an epic quarterback duel. Matthew Stafford still has a cannon for an arm, and his gutsy physical playstyle against Joe Burrow’s cool precision would make for another unforgettable showdown.
Oh, yeah… Did we forget to mention it?! This would also be an epic rematch from the phenomenal showdown we saw between these two teams back in 2022 when Stafford shocked the world and led the Rams to a Super Bowl in his first year with the team.
Stafford can’t have many years left in his Hall of Fame career—and seeing him go head-to-head against one of the game’s best young QBs on the biggest stage again would be something special.
Both teams boast high-powered offenses with top-tier receiving talent—Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua for the Rams vs. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the Bengals. This game could easily turn into a shootout, with both quarterbacks looking to air it out early and often. If you like points, this is the matchup for you.
7. Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This would be a battle of two of the NFL’s most historic franchises, who have been known through the years for their tough, hard-nosed defenses.
Chicago is going to index more on the offensive side of the ball this year with the likes of Caleb Williams, Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and the rest of that high-powered crew… The Steelers have done a great job of keeping up with that defensive tradition with its ferocious pass rush, led by T.J. Watt.
It would be electric to see Watt and Co. square up against a young Bears offense.
That said, the Bears’ defense doesn’t project to be slouched by any stretch of the imagination. The unit looked completely different after the midseason acquisition of Montez Sweat—and they should take another step forward this year!
Plus the game would have some fascinating storylines with a rookie quarterback starting for the Bears—and either the Russell Wilson redemption story or the Justin Fields revenge arc on the Steelers side.
While the x’s and o’s and storylines around Justin Fields… who may or may not even be playing in this scenario… are exciting—there’s just something about the historic rivalry feel of this one.
These teams don’t meet often, but the historical significance of both franchises would give this Super Bowl a classic feel, reminiscent of the grind-it-out battles from the golden days of football.
6. Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers
A Rams vs. Chargers Super Bowl would be the ultimate battle for Los Angeles, with both teams vying not just for the Lombardi Trophy but for the bragging rights of being LA’s top team.
It’s a matchup that would electrify the city and bring out the best from both sides of the fanbases, which, let’s face it, could use some help to put their best foot forward.
This game would be a showcase of elite offensive talent versus defensive talent.
The Rams, with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp, would be looking to air it out against a Chargers defense led by Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Derwin James.
The lynchpin in this one for Coach Harbaugh’s Chargers is going to be Justin Herbert. If he can shine in Harbaugh’s run-first system… this could really be a special match up.
Plus, we’ve got Sean McVay vs. the aforementioned Harbaugh.
The chess match between these two coaches would be fascinating, as they are polar opposites in both their demeanors and their philosophies.
5. Buffalo Bills vs. Dallas Cowboys
This would be a matchup of epic proportions between two teams and fan bases that are absolutely desperate for a Super Bowl.
It is another one that would be steeped in history—a rematch of Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII, where the Cowboys bested the Bills twice.
For Buffalo, this would be the ultimate shot at redemption, decades in the making. For Dallas, it’s a chance to reassert their dominance in a new era… Something that their owner, Jerry Jones, cares about more than life itself.
There would also be a fascinating game within the game—with Dallas’s all-world pass rusher, Micah Parsons, chasing Josh Allen down all evening!
And let’s not forget, these are iconic franchises with two of the most passionate fanbases in the game—one looking to reclaim past glory—the other looking for its first Super Bowl.
How could it get any better than that?
4. Los Angeles Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers
A Chargers vs. 49ers Super Bowl would be the ultimate battle for West Coast supremacy.
And it would also be a massive opportunity for Jim Harbaugh to avenge himself… as he coached the 49ers to great success prior to his time at Michigan, only to fall out of favor with the powers that be in San Fran—and be pushed out of town.
Harbaugh isn’t the guy that needs any additional bulletin board material to get him or his team fired up… but man, this could take the intensity to a whole new level.
Not to mention that this rendition of the Super Bowl would be absolutely loaded with star power.
Between Justin Herbert, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa on the Chargers side and the 49ers boasting stars like McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle, this game would feature elite talent at nearly every position and could make for an instant classic.
And let’s not forget—this is history vs. new blood. The 49ers are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, with five Super Bowl titles to their name—and are looking for a sixth.
The Chargers, on the other hand, are still chasing their first Lombardi Trophy.
Lastly… These two California franchises bring vastly different styles and histories to the table, but both have their eyes on the prize… and of course, the geographical proximity adds an extra layer of intrigue, with fans from all over the Golden State at each other’s throats to prove who reigns supreme.
Definitely a potential showdown that has us drooling!
3. New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
Talk about a storyline for the ages. Is Aaron Rodgers leading the Jets against the Packers in the Super Bowl? That’s headline material right there. Rodgers, who spent 18 legendary seasons in Green Bay, would face off against his former team with everything on the line.
For Rodgers, this wouldn’t just be another game—it would be a chance to solidify his legacy by not only capturing that mystical second Super Bowl… but also joining a small group of quarterbacks who were able to lead different teams to the Super Bowl.
And to do so coming off a torn Achilles? This would go far beyond the minimum for proving that he still has what it takes.
Don’t make the mistake, however, of thinking that Rodgers is the only one with any skin in this showdown…
The Packers would be led by Jordan Love, the quarterback they handpicked to replace Rodgers. Love would be stepping out of Rodgers’ shadow, looking to prove that Green Bay made the right decision in moving on.
The two famously weren’t exactly mentor and the protégé but the fact that they shared a quarterback room—and Rodgers’s public statements about that—definitely add a layer of intrigue to this match up.
A Packers-Jets Super Bowl wouldn’t be solely about the drama, though, either… There’s a lot of meat and potatoes to his one.
Both the Jets and Packers have invested heavily in their defenses, and this game could be a showcase of two of the top units in the league this year—with Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed locking down the Packers’ receivers and the Packers’ pass rush led Preston Smith and Rashan Gary chasing after Rodgers all night.
Those matchups could be worth tuning in for alone, but with the tension and drama expected out of this one—it has the potential to be an all-time classic.
2. Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Coming in at number two, we’ve got the ultimate David vs. Goliath matchup—the upstart Detroit Lions, who shocked a lot of NFL fans last year by making it to the NFC Championship Game—taking on the reigning back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The Lions, who have been building something special under head coach Dan Campbell, would face the daunting task of dethroning the champs, meanwhile the Chiefs would literally have everyone outside of their fan base rooting against them with a fervor.
This game would be a fascinating contrast in coaching styles—Dan Campbell’s blue-collar grit versus Andy Reid’s offensive wizardry—and there would surely be some fantastic sound bites leading up to this one.
And make no mistake about it… Detroit’s offense should be just as explosive—if not more so—than the Chiefs.
This one could be points galore!
1. Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
And finally, the number one matchup we’re all drooling to see… It’s not exactly the most creative pick, but man, would it be compelling… How about another showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers?
Two of the best offensive minds in the game in Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid, scheming against each other yet again would be something to behold.
And watching Patrick Mahomes go up against one of the league’s most dominant defenses, led by Nick Bosa, is must-see TV.
This would mark the third time that these two teams met in the Super Bowl in the last five years, and give the 49ers, who have given the Chiefs all they can handle and more the last two go rounds, but ultimately came up short, a shot at redemption and the chance to prove they can finish the job this time.
Chiefs vs. Niners round three has everything—history, star power, and high stakes.
Not to mention that the Chiefs and 49ers are expected to be two of the best teams in the NFL, and a Super Bowl rematch would be the perfect stage for these two titans to clash once again.
