For 18 weeks, this NFL season has felt like a bizarro version of itself. Unexpected teams surged to the top of the standings, while some familiar faces plummeted out of playoff contention entirely. After wild-card weekend, I can report that despite the surprises, the Super Bowl is still going to feel like the Super Bowl—a high-stakes culmination worthy of the sport's grandest stage.

Welcome to my annual column in which, after the playoff field is narrowed to eight teams, I attempt to rank all 16 potential Super Bowl matchups. A few weeks ago, I imagined a postseason dominated by previously unheralded teams, but last weekend reminded us that the NFL’s usual suspects often rise to the occasion. Half of the remaining playoff teams have reached the divisional round in at least two of the past three seasons, and five have appeared in multiple Super Bowls over the past dozen years. Experience still matters, even in a season filled with chaos.

So, what makes a great Super Bowl? Certainly, the presence of star players and historic franchises adds gravitas. I love games that carry historical significance for defining players and teams of an era, where coaches and quarterbacks—names plastered across billboards and social media feeds—are central to the story. But fresh faces and new narratives are equally compelling. A Super Bowl should capture the essence of the season it concludes, highlighting not just the greats of the era but the players and storylines that defined this particular year.

This year, evaluating potential matchups was particularly challenging. There are no weak links left in the playoff field. Top-scoring offenses, elite defenses, Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Hall of Fame coaches, and emerging stars populate the bracket. Seven of the eight remaining quarterbacks were first-round picks, with only Bo Nix going 12th overall. In the AFC, none of the quarterbacks have previously played in a Super Bowl, let alone won one. In the NFC, one quarterback has a championship, and another lost a Super Bowl in overtime. The potential matchups read like a fan’s dream: elite defense against star quarterback, elite defense against top young talent, elite offense versus elite offense—each pairing offering drama, skill, and intrigue.

As always, my rankings focus on what would be the most compelling matchups on and off the field, not necessarily what I personally want to see. Storylines matter—sometimes having a villain enriches the narrative, and different fan bases will naturally have different preferences. My goal is to imagine the Super Bowl that would captivate the broadest audience, generating excitement, debate, and unforgettable moments.

Even the 16th-ranked potential matchup could be fun. No Super Bowl is inherently bad; any team that survives two more playoff rounds will generate new stories and elevate emerging legends. Take Caleb Williams, for example, who captured hearts after a postgame celebration involving grated cheese during wild-card weekend. Personal charm aside, his Heisman-winning 2022 season and subsequent draft storylines—from C.J. Stroud finishing third in the Heisman voting to their top-two draft selections in consecutive years—make for compelling context. Yet some matchups offer even more drama and narrative weight, which informs my rankings.

The 49ers, for instance, carry a storied franchise legacy dating back to the 1980s, including a fifth Super Bowl win in 1994. If they reached the Super Bowl this year, they could join the Patriots and Steelers as six-time champions. Kyle Shanahan’s coaching journey adds another layer: a hard-luck story marked by high-profile losses, including Super Bowl LI, when he was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator during the infamous Patriots comeback from a 28–3 deficit. Playing in Levi’s Stadium would add even more historical resonance, as only a few teams have won a Super Bowl at home, including the Buccaneers and Rams. Yet, despite the allure, matchups like this one sometimes fall short of the most compelling on-field battles this season.

Other potential matchups feature historic rivalries and narrative depth. A 49ers-Broncos pairing would spotlight the Shanahan family’s coaching legacy, with Kyle seeking to match his father Mike’s Super Bowl achievements. Several players also carry shared histories across these teams, from former defensive stars to punter Thomas Morstead, connecting multiple eras. Defensively, both teams rank among the league’s best, suggesting a low-scoring, high-stakes slugfest reminiscent of past defensive showdowns at Levi’s Stadium.

Some intriguing storylines extend beyond history to draft class narratives. Caleb Williams versus Bo Nix, both top picks from the 2024 draft, represents a rare Super Bowl matchup featuring quarterbacks from the same class—a feat not accomplished since Super Bowl XVIII. Their rookie-year rivalry, including six fourth-quarter comebacks for Williams and seven game-winning drives for Nix, perfectly encapsulates the drama and unpredictability of the season. The game would be a showcase of poise, athleticism, and clutch performance, highlighting the next generation of NFL stars.

The Rams, meanwhile, bring a “been-there, done-that” vibe, entering the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 5 seed but maintaining a recent championship pedigree. Matthew Stafford, a ring-bearing veteran quarterback, provides contrast to younger competitors seeking their first titles. A Rams-Texans matchup would juxtapose high-flying offensive talent against one of the league’s most ferocious defenses, testing adjustments and strategy while serving as a season-long narrative bookend. Likewise, matchups featuring 2018 draft-class quarterbacks, such as Josh Allen versus Sam Darnold, present compelling arcs—redemption stories, MVP contention, and the culmination of years-long journeys to the league’s biggest stage.

Coaching matchups add another layer of intrigue. Sean McVay and Sean Payton are the only remaining head coaches with prior Super Bowl victories. Their clash would guarantee a new member of the elite multiple-champions coaching club. Mentor-mentee dynamics, such as DeMeco Ryans facing Kyle Shanahan, highlight strategic storylines beyond the players, emphasizing leadership and tactical ingenuity. Every potential game carries narrative significance, whether it’s a clash of dynasties, emerging stars, or historic franchises seeking redemption.

Star players remain central to the spectacle. Christian McCaffrey, James Cook II, Brock Purdy, and Josh Allen provide marquee talent for marquee matchups. Defensive standouts like Pat Surtain II, combined with elite defensive units, promise hard-hitting, edge-of-your-seat gameplay. Even linemen, like Bears guard Joe Thuney, offer human-interest angles that enrich the viewing experience. This season’s potential Super Bowls are replete with storylines that appeal to statisticians, casual fans, and legacy-focused observers alike.

Many matchups offer contrasts between experience and youth. Teams like the Rams, with seasoned Super Bowl winners, face upstarts chasing first-time glory. The Bills, despite perennial postseason frustrations, remain a sentimental favorite with Josh Allen’s pursuit of his first championship. Other teams embody the season’s wild, unpredictable nature, with rookies and young stars seizing the spotlight and reshaping the playoff landscape. Each potential matchup captures the season’s essence: a blend of legacy, talent, resilience, and unpredictability.

In sum, this season has delivered drama, upsets, and historic narratives, but the Super Bowl will still rise above. Every possible matchup promises compelling storylines, elite competition, and memorable moments. From rookie sensations to seasoned veterans, Hall of Fame quarterbacks to emerging stars, from coaching legacies to draft-class showdowns, this postseason encapsulates the NFL’s ability to produce suspense, excitement, and history-making performances. No matter the pairing, the 2026 Super Bowl promises to be a fitting conclusion to a wild and unpredictable season.

Mitch Goldich is a senior editor for Sports Illustrated, primarily focused on the NFL. He has covered the Olympics extensively and written on a variety of sports since joining SI in 2014. His work has also been published by The New York Times, Baseball Prospectus, and Food & Wine. Goldich holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Lehigh University and a master’s in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University.