The Kansas City Chiefs might have clinched back-to-back Super Bowl victories, including February's overtime triumph over the San Francisco 49ers, but one NFL analyst won't declare Andy Reid's squad the best in the league heading into a new season. That distinction goes to the Super Bowl runner-up.
The NFL unveiled its complete 2024 schedule on Wednesday. When asked which Super Bowl participant has the best chance of returning to the big game in the upcoming season, Fox Sports analyst Craig Carton didn't hesitate to respond, "San Francisco."
"They're the best team in football, and it's not even close," he continued. "They're the best team, not just in football, they're the best team in the NFC. There's three or four teams that are obviously going to give them a run. You have the Eagles, the Lions. We'll see what the Green Bay Packers do; obviously, year two of Jordan Love.
"But San Francisco, to me, they're a lock to win their division. Start with that. Meaning home playoff game. And I just think they're heads and shoulders better than everybody else in the NFC."
Better chance of returning to the Super Bowl: Chiefs or 49ers?
"San Francisco. They're the best team in the NFC. They're the best team in football." — @craigcartonlive pic.twitter.com/j6WuePsyv7
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) May 16, 2024
Carton adds that on the AFC side, more teams are capable of dethroning the Chiefs. He expects to see the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game for the fourth consecutive season but also predicts that the matchup will once again be at Levi's Stadium.
Carton notes, "San Francisco, to me, has the easiest road, again, to get back to the Super Bowl."
Chiefs fans may not like Carton's comments. The two teams will have a chance to showcase how much they have improved since their last meeting. The 49ers and Chiefs will face off in a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch at Levi's Stadium on October 20.
Despite his declaration, Carton cautions, "You never can count the Chiefs out because of Patrick Mahomes."