We are down to the final four teams in the NFL as the league’s championship weekend is just ahead on Sunday. There are two great matchups as the San Francisco 49ers host the Detroit Lions in just their second NFC Championship game ever, while the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs. For the Chiefs, it is their sixth straight appearance in the AFC Championship game.
That leaves us with four potential Super Bowl matchups in a couple of weeks. So let’s rank those potential matchups.
1. San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens: If the hope is to see the two best teams in football then this is your matchup. The Ravens and 49ers were the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences and have been the two top teams in the league for most of the season. It would not only be a rematch of the 2012 Harbaugh bowl (won by John and the Ravens), it would also be a rematch of the Christmas Day showdown that resulted in a dominant Ravens win. That game helped solidify the MVP case for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The 49ers would almost certainly like a rematch to show that that result was a fluke. Would it follow the same script as the first meeting on a neutral field?
2. Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs: The 2023 NFL season began with the Lions beating the Chiefs to ruin their Super Bowl celebration. It would be very fitting to have the season conclude with the Lionos having a chance to end the Chiefs’ official reign as champions while also potentially claiming their first Super Bowl. The Chiefs have more big-game experience and would have the best quarterback in football going up against a weak pass defense, but no stage has seemed too big for the Lions this season. They also have the added confidence of having already defeated Kansas City in their stadium. The established champions and modern dynasty going against the team of rising stars trying to make a name for themselves is an intriguing matchup.
3. San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Another potential rematch from a recent Super Bowl. Mahomes won his first championship at the expense of Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, but this 49ers team has way more impact talent on the roster, especially on offense with the emergence of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the addition of running back Christian McCaffrey and a better quarterback in Brock Purdy.
4. Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens: Sometimes it is fun to see some new blood and fresh faces on the biggest stage, and this game would provide that. It has been a decade since the Ravens played in the Super Bowl and the Lions have never been there. Baltimore won the regular season meeting — in Baltimore — by a 38-6 margin. But does just having some new teams automatically make for the best possible matchup? It would be good and exciting given the offensive firepower both teams have, but the other three just seem a little more appealing given the histories involved with some of those matchups.