As the NFL playoff bracket narrows down to eight teams following Wild Card Weekend, anticipation builds for the upcoming divisional round. This stage sets the foundation for 16 potential matchups in Super Bowl LIX. However, not all pairings carry equal intrigue, with certain matchups offering more excitement due to factors including star players, historical context, and compelling narratives that define iconic clashes. With these considerations in mind, this article ranks each potential Super Bowl LIX matchup by examining roster strength, recent head-to-head encounters, rivalry aspects, team popularity, and enticing storylines leading up to the championship game.

Among the teams left in contention, the Washington Commanders and the Houston Texans enter with the longest odds of advancing through their respective conferences to reach the Super Bowl. Although their paths to the championship could create an engaging narrative, the overall on-field performance may fall short compared to other potential matchups, as both teams have not demonstrated elite play this season. The Texans, once regarded as preseason favorites thanks to their significant offseason maneuvers centered around second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, have yet to meet the expectations. Stroud will need to overcome his sophomore slump and recapture the impressive form displayed during his rookie year to guide Houston to a potential Super Bowl appearance. In their recent outing, the Los Angeles Rams showcased their defensive prowess by overpowering Sam Darnold and reinforcing their Super Bowl-caliber capabilities, but questions linger about the effectiveness of their offense in the coming weeks.

The Detroit Lions, led by head coach Dan Campbell, demonstrated resilience throughout the season, including a notable Week 10 victory over the Texans. The Lions overcame a 16-point halftime deficit to secure a 26-23 win, although their second meeting may not mirror the initial scoreline, especially given that Lions quarterback Jared Goff had an uncharacteristic five interceptions during that contest. A potential matchup between the Commanders and the Kansas City Chiefs would mark Washington’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1991, following their first playoff victories since 2005 and a postseason absence since 2020. The Chiefs, with a consistent playoff presence since 2015, would pose a significant challenge. Should Washington manage to dethrone Kansas City, it could signal the onset of a new dynasty. Meanwhile, despite clinching their division and winning a Wild Card game, the Texans find themselves underestimated, needing to channel the underdog spirit reminiscent of the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles, who stunned the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII to reach the championship.

Recent matchups between the Rams and the Baltimore Ravens have delivered gripping contests, with their last two meetings being decided by a single score. In their most recent encounter, the Ravens needed overtime to secure victory and avenge a one-point defeat from the previous year. Should these two teams reunite, fans can expect an engaging strategic battle between accomplished coaches John Harbaugh and Sean McVay. The Eagles, known for one of the league's premier rushing offenses during the regular season, will require strong performances from running back Saquon Barkley to advance further. If matched against the Ravens, the challenge intensifies, given the latter’s reputation for boasting the NFL’s best run defense. The Eagles succeeded in a narrow 24-19 victory against the Ravens in early December, but replicating that success during the Super Bowl would prove to be a tall order.

A previous encounter saw the Bills dominate the Commanders with a decisive 37-3 scoreline last September. Nevertheless, significant changes have occurred in Washington since then, most notably the emergence of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. His ability to match the offensive output of Buffalo's Josh Allen may lead to a compelling offensive duel. Another intriguing showdown could be the Battle of the Beltway in Super Bowl LIX. Although the Washington and Baltimore fanbases lack a deeply rooted rivalry, the proximity of these teams could foster a competitive atmosphere, especially in light of their Week 6 matchup that ended with a close 30-23 outcome.

Potential pairings may also evoke memories of the Rams-Chiefs classic in 2018, where Los Angeles emerged victorious in an explosive 54-51 contest. A rematch stands as a possibility, although most players from that memorable game have since moved on. Fans would hope for a thrilling encounter rather than a repeat of the forgettable 26-10 victory achieved by the Chiefs over a less formidable Rams team in 2022. If the Lions and Ravens were to meet, it could lead to a high-scoring affair between two of the season's top offenses, averaging a combined 834.5 total yards per game. Despite their adequate defensive performances throughout the season, both teams may face significant challenges in stopping one another in what could shape up as an exhilarating shootout. The outcome is unlikely to reflect the lopsided score from their previous meeting, which saw the Ravens triumph 38-6 in early 2023.

A potential Super Bowl matchup between quarterbacks Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts represents a tantalizing prospect for football enthusiasts. As elite dual-threat quarterbacks, both would seek to claim their first championship and prove their mettle on the grand stage. Hurts held an edge in their latest encounter, contributing five total touchdowns to lead his team to a 37-34 overtime victory over Allen in a high-stakes contest earlier in the 2023 season. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford is determined to conclude his illustrious career with a second Super Bowl title, while Allen strives to cement his legacy as one of the premier quarterbacks of his generation with his inaugural championship. This narrative alone adds significant weight to a potential matchup, enhanced by the memory of their exhilarating clash in December 2024, which ended with the Rams narrowly defeating the Bills 44-42.

A rematch of Super Bowl LVII stands out not only for its rich storylines but also for the promise of high-caliber gameplay. The Eagles fell just short of forcing overtime against the Chiefs in their previous encounter, yet redeemed themselves during the regular season with a competitive 21-17 victory. The Eagles appear more formidable in the current season, particularly following the strategic acquisition of Saquon Barkley, the former New York Giants star running back. This enhancement could enable Philadelphia to achieve its goal of securing its first title since 2017.

Many fans express a desire to see the top teams from each conference contend for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. Both No. 1 seeds boast exceptional offensive and defensive units, suggesting that any resultant matchup possesses the potential to be remembered as a legendary contest. The Lions have already made their intentions clear by disrupting the Chiefs' banner-raising ceremony with a 24-23 upset victory in Week 1. Although Detroit narrowly missed the chance to prevent Kansas City from claiming back-to-back championships after a disappointing exit in the NFC Championship Game, the lessons gleaned from that experience may serve them well in their pursuit of a Super Bowl title. Simultaneously, the Chiefs aim to accomplish a historic feat by becoming the first team to achieve three consecutive Super Bowl victories.

The matchup that intrigues many NFL fans is the prospect of seeing two fan-favorite franchises—the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions—face off for the championship. Despite their storied histories, both teams have yet to secure a Super Bowl title, with the Bills missing out on several opportunities in the 1990s. On the other hand, the Lions have not even captured a conference championship since the 1950s, making them a sympathetic figure in the sport. A meeting between the two teams, particularly after their thrilling mid-December clash that concluded with a combined score of 90 points favoring the Bills, would undoubtedly be an iconic Super Bowl, offering the opportunity to lift the championship burden for one long-suffering fanbase.