By Ben Francis / Brad Lewis
American Football fanatics like to think their chosen team is in with a chance of winning the Vince Lombardi trophy, but sadly that is not the case for most.
Here are five teams that will be in contention to lift the Lombardi trophy at NRG stadium in Houston, Texas on February 6th (NZT).
Tom Brady (Getty Images)
When Tom Brady returns from his four-game suspension, the Patriots are going to tear up the league.
When you also have Bill Belichick as coach, you will always be in the conversation. The four-time champions are favourites to win it all even with Brady missing the first four games.
In a weak AFC East division which the Patriots have won 12 of the last 14 seasons they are almost certain to make the playoffs, and there is no quarterback better than Brady in the postseason.
Along with a fully healthy defence and a returning Brady seeking to make a statement, the Pats are favourites to add a fifth Superbowl to the trophy cabinet.
Cam Newton (Getty Images)
The Panthers were the surprise package last season with a 15-1 record before going down to the Broncos in the Superbowl.
Backing up those numbers will be tall task for Carolina, but if the best player in the league Cam Newton, can repeat his career defining season then the Panthers will be more than a match for any of the top contenders.
Newton offensive prowess will also be bolstered by the return of wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin who missed all of last season due to an ACL.
The biggest question for the Panthers is how they will go without cornerback Josh Norman. The 28-year old defensive rock was a big piece in their run to the Superbowl but has since left to join the Washington Redskins.
Like the Patriots, the Panthers are in a weak division so making the playoffs should be easy, but if last year's runner-ups want to push for another Superbowl appearance then the weight of the Carolina's rest solely on the shoulders of Cam Newton.
Russell Wilson (Getty Images)
The Seahawks lost the soul of their offence when Marshawn Lynch announced his retirement at the end of last season and his energy will be hard to replace.
But the real key to the Seahawks success will be through their defence and the offensive ability of Russell Wilson.
Last season the Seahawks defence only conceded 24 regular season touchdowns while forcing 22 turnovers in the process, while offensive dynamo Wilson threw for 34 touchdowns.
The Ace up the sleeve for the 2014 champs is the 12th man, no not Billy Birmingham but their raucous home crowd, which in 2013 set the world record for the loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium.
If Wilson can replicate the form he has shown the last three years and the defence can back those numbers up again, the Seahawks will be heading back to their third Superbowl in four seasons.
Ben Roethlisberger (Getty Images)
On paper the Steelers have the best offence in football, but with receiver Martavis Bryant suspended for the season and Le'Veon Bell on the shelf for the first three games, Pittsburgh will have to rely on wide receiver Antonio Brown and two-time Superbowl winning quarter-back Ben Roethlisberger.
Brown has 3532 receiving yards over the last two seasons which is 49% of his total receiving yards during his six-year career.
In that same stretch, Roethlisberger has thrown for 8935 yards for 53 touchdowns.
The only thing holding the Steelers back from being the favourite is their suspect defence which conceded the third most passing yards last season.
In a weaker AFC conference, the Steelers should be pushing for a Superbowl berth, but will need a couple of pieces to fall into place.
Aaron Rodgers (Getty Images)
As with Brady and the Pats, when Aaron Rodgers is your quarterback you are always going to be in the Superbowl conversation.
Last season Rodgers had a down year compared to his usual standards as he was missing his top target, Jordy Nelson.
But a down season for Rodgers still producers numbers that other quarterbacks would be envious of throwing for 3821 yards with 31 touchdowns.
The defence, led by Clay Matthews, forced 21 fumbles last season and had the sixth-best defence against the pass.
The Packers can win games in multiple ways, be it an offensive shoot-out or a tightly contested defensive game.
They also had one of the best home records last season winning five from seven, and if they can achieve home field advantage in the playoffs then Rodgers and the Packers could very well find themselves playing in Texas come February.
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