Who will win Super Bowl & be MVP? NFL pundits’ predictions

The new NFL season is upon us and that means it is time for our American football experts to make their predictions on the key issues.

The Super Bowl will be won by who? Who will be the league’s MVP? Who should you watch out for when there is a surprise package? And who will be the biggest disappointments?

We’ve assembled a panel of BBC gridiron experts to provide all of these answers and more.

We got BBC Sport correspondent Nesta McGregor and presenter Hugh Ferris, BBC Radio 5 Live presenters Rob Staton and Mike White along with BBC Sport journalists Paul Higham and Ben Collins to make their picks.

Hugh Ferris, Buffalo Bills

Get past the Chiefs (or avoid them altogether) and who knows? With the 2024 league MVP on offense and a defense strengthened by the draft and free agency, surely it’s time for their long-awaited wait for a first Lombardi Trophy to come to an end.

Runners-up: Detroit Lions.

Baltimore Ravens: Nesta McGregor

This is a pick more with my heart than my head, so desperate am I to see Lamar Jackson crowned a champion. He consistently seems to improve and improve. Let this be the year the Ravens go all the way.

Philadelphia Eagles: Second place

Rob Staton: Cincinnati Bengals

Although it’s a brave choice, if Joe Burrow can play the way he did at the end of last season and all of their star players are back, will they be able to win again and again?

Runners-up: Green Bay Packers

Baltimore Ravens: Mike White

Picked with an element of trepidation due to Lamar Jackson’s play-off history but a running quarterback who also passes for 40+ touchdowns speaks for itself and with the players at his disposal, plus a respected defence, this will be the year he gets over the line.

Runners-up: Green Bay Packers

Buffalo Bills: Ben Collins

With the Chiefs ‘ challenge fading, Josh Allen makes his Super Bowl breakthrough and the Bills finally claim their first NFL title.

Runners-up: Green Bay Packers

Paul Higham: Green Bay Packers

Matt LaFleur is criminally underrated as a head coach – making the play-offs with the youngest squad in the NFL the last two seasons. They’re the young guns once more, but Jordan Love has found his foot, they first drafted a receiver, and they, yes, they did it in the case of Micah Parsons! It’s time to back the Pack.

Joe Burrow vs. Hugh Ferris

He should have been more a part of the conversation last year after single-handedly almost overcoming an appalling defence to drag the Bengals into the play-offs. He has his weapons for the long run with the signings of wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.

Nesta McGregor: Saquon Barkley

He deserved to win it the previous year. Should his numbers even come close this season, the voters will have no choice. Sidenote: If another quarterback receives the award this year, would you kindly grant a separate award to each other position?

Rob Staton: Joe Burrow

At the conclusion of the previous season, no one was playing better football. He’s got all of his weapons back and it could be Burrow’s year to reach the pinnacle.

Joe Burrow vs. Ben Collins

It was only the Bengals ‘ defence that denied Burrow a legitimate shot at last season’s award but this year he will earn the recognition his talent deserves.

Lamar Jackson, Paul Higham

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Hugh Ferris

Burrow plus a better defence = a deep play-off run?

Cincinnati Bengals: Nesta McGregor

Joe Burrow &amp, Co, if you’re reading this, how about starting the season off strongly instead of always playing catch up? With job security, you can either coast or prosper, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were paid. Make it the latter!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rob Staton

The NFC looks wide open so there’s a chance for the Bucs, Commanders or Seahawks to make a jump here.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike White

They picked up some big wins last season on their way to a wildcard loss to a Washington side with momentum. This year, I’d like them to advance.

Ben Collins: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals’ defense improves enough to reclaim their play-off spot after missing out last year, only to be outdone by the Bills.

Paul Higham: Denver Broncos

Hugh Ferris: Dallas Cowboys

Would a subpar season really be a letdown? They’re ‘ America’s Team ‘ in terms of franchise value and nationally televised games, but the Cowboys haven’t really matched that hype in years, and have just traded away one of their two best players.

Kansas City Chiefs: Nesta McGregor

If only a clown would bet against Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes – then pass me my make-up and colourful costume. All positive things must end. And as good as Mahomes is, my biggest concern is: Who’s he throwing the ball to?

Rob Staton: San Francisco 49ers

It feels like they’re on the decline after a great run, with ageing stars and injuries that are already stacking up.

Kansas City Chiefs: Mike White

I know full well this is going to bite me on the backside but I’ll go for the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a competitive AFC West to contend with. They had too many bad luck last season, and they finally lost to the ruthless Philadelphia Eagles in February.

Ben Collins: Kansas City Chiefs

Although it is said that you can never oppose the Chiefs, I’m going to put my life on the line and take the field. It’s the end of an era.

Dallas Cowboys, coached by Paul Higham

Hugh Ferris: Omarion Hampton

With Najee Harris out injured, Hampton will have to do the majority of the work while Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to run. He has looked good in what he’s put on tape so far.

Travis Hunter vs. Nesta McGregor

Having spoken to his former coaches, they are convinced he can replicate what he produced in high school and college in the NFL. However, when someone is tackling you with bills to pay, they do say it’s a different game.

Rob Staton: Emeka Egbuka

He performed like a pro at Ohio State, has a better mindset than most people realize, and has a chance to make an impact in year one despite concerns over Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan’s injuries.

Mike White: Travis Hunter

Second-generation passer Shadeur Sanders draws a lot of attention for obvious reasons, while overall number one pick Cam Ward appears to be the forgotten face at the less-than-enjoyable Tennessee Titans. I’m more curious to see what Travis Hunter’s dual-threat of playing offence and defence can do.

Travis Hunter versus Ben Collins

I can’t wait to see how well Travis Hunter does as a receiver to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence – but could he also become the NFL’s first true two-way player in decades?

Josh Williams: Paul Higham

Hugh Ferris: Cleveland Browns

Simple . Cleveland. This time, there is no Joe Flacco fairytale.

Nesta McGregor: Atlanta Falcons

After all, Michael Penix Jr. may not be the right person.

Rob Staton: Cleveland Browns

Just a mess with potential for drama at quarterback, it feels. Tennessee could be an outside bet to get the number one pick again unless Cam Ward can have a fast start.

New Orleans Saints, Mike White

Hard to choose between the Cleveland Browns, the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints, but I’m leaning towards the Saints – which could well lead to their number one draft pick being used on hometown quarterback Arch Manning, following in the footsteps of grandfather Archie.

New Orleans Saints, according to Ben Collins

Derek Carr’s retirement after the draft left the Saints scrambling for a quarterback and having to name former fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler as their starter.

Cleveland Browns, according to Paul Higham.

Hugh Ferris: Aaron Glenn

Instead of just one with the best record, a team with the best record is typically awarded this award, and I believe Glenn will do just that with the Jets. Maybe there’ll even be a surprise play-off place to put to an end the current longest post-season drought in US sport.

Nick Sirianni: Nesta McGregor

Right up to winning Super Bowl LIX the doubters were still vocal. They are now less so, and a new year should bring them to rest for good.

Rob Staton: Matt LaFleur

In 2025, the Packers will benefit from the Micah Parsons trade, which will give LaFleur the honor.

Mike White: Mike Vrabel

The New England Patriots’ ascendance from the top has shook both their fans and likely everyone else. Vrabel stops the decline as he returns to the team he enjoyed so much success with as a player.

Matt LaFleur: Ben Collins

With Jordan Love established as quarterback of a hungry Green Bay roster and Micah Parsons having just been added on defence, LaFleur leads the Packers back to the Super Bowl.

Mike Vrabel: Paul Higham