Which would be the best Super Bowl LI matchups among the remaining teams in the NFL Playoffs? Which would be the worst?
Eight teams remain in the NFL Playoffs, as we move from the Wild Card Round to the Divisional Round this weekend. That presents 16 possible matchups for Super Bowl LI in Houston, some of which are far more likely than others.
Only six of the 16 potential Super Bowl matchups would be rematches of past Super Bowls, which means there’s a decent chance a new rivalry is born this winter. Looking at the eight-team field, here are all of the potential grand finales, along with the Bovada odds of said matchups taking place. Which are the worst and which would be the best? Let’s rank them.
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 07: Houston Texans Quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) celebrates his rushing touchdown during the NFL AFC Wild Card game between the Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans on January 7, 2017, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
16. Atlanta Falcons vs. Houston Texans (100/1)
FOX’s worst nightmare, especially since everybody in Houston is going to watch regardless.
15. Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs (16/1)
At least they played a thrilling game this season.
14. Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs (33/1)
Former AFC West rivals! And that’s about it.
Take a look at this unbelievable catch by @PRich10!#DETvsSEA #Seahawks https://t.co/klfR6tP90d
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 8, 2017
13. Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans (200/1)
Russell Wilson and the high-profile Seahawks can’t make this a good matchup (especially since it’d likely be a blowout), but the whole home-field aspect is kind of cool.
12. Green Bay Packers vs. Houston Texans (125/1)
Aaron Rodgers and the high-profile Packers can’t make this a good matchup (especially since it’d likely be a blowout), but the whole home-field aspect is kind of cool.
11. Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (14/1)
Two high-powered, flashy offenses and two great quarterbacks. It’s not quite as sexy as matchups involving Dallas, New England and Green Bay, but this feels like this would go down to the wire.
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 25: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
10. Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans (66/1)
The battle of Texas, for what it’s worth — and this would mark the first time a team would host the Super Bowl in their stadium. It’s also not going to happen.
9. Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11/1)
Anything with the Cowboys and their rookie quarterback is gold, unless you’re a Giants, Eagles or Redskins fan. And again, the Chiefs are trying to break out of a hell of a slump.
8. Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (22/1) – I rematch
A rematch of the first Super Bowl would be pretty cool, with Aaron Rodgers chasing his second title and Kansas City looking for its first in nearly half a century.
7. Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (28/1) — XL rematch
Seattle trying to make a push to become the next dynasty. Pittsburgh trying to cement Ben Roethlisberger’s Hall of Fame legacy.
6. Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots (4/1)
Because they can make so much history, anything involving the Patriots is primo. Against the league’s top-scoring offense and top MVP candidate, this could be wild.
5. Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots (10/1) — XLIX rematch
Same here. Would be real fun to see Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll against Brady and Belichick for the second time in three years.
4. Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (18/1) — XLV rematch
Unlike some of the other Super Bowl rematches listed, this would involve two teams that had the same coaches and quarterbacks and key players when they last met in a championship.
3. Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots (11/2) — XXXI rematch
Can’t go wrong with Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, both of whom should go down as top-five all-time quarterbacks.
2. Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots (11/4)
Tom Brady and Belichick go for ring No. 5 in the first-ever Super Bowl matchup between the team of the 21st century and “America’s Team.”
https://youtu.be/FNK-ghIqpAY
1. Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9/1) — X and XIII rematch
Dak and Zeke vs. Big Ben? A chance to spend two weeks reliving two of the greatest Super Bowls from the 1970s? They’ve won a combined 11 of the 50 Super Bowls, and their fan bases are large and rabid.
