3. Philadelphia Eagles (2013 Record: 10-6)
When a College Football coach makes the jump to the professional level, the results are usually negative. Nick Saban with the Dolphins, Steve Spurrier with the Redskins, or Bobby Petrino with the Falcons are some of the more recent examples of this. Most expected former Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly to follow down that path in 2013, but the Eagles turned it around after a dismal 2012 and seem to have the NFC East wrapped around their finger for the near future. The Offense has exploded onto the scene behind the surprising play of Nick Foles, the power running of LeSean McCoy, and the always explosive DeSean Jackson leading Philadelphia on the stat chart. With Kelly heading the Eagles for the foreseeable future, the Eagles could be back among the league's best in 2014. Odds of making Super Bowl XLIX: 55%
2. Carolina Panthers (2013 Record: 12-4)
How far the Panthers have come since 2010. After an embarrassing 2-14 season, the Panthers had the number one pick and Cam Newton from Auburn was sitting on the board. Three years later that pick has paid dividends for the Panthers, with Newton becoming one of the best dual-threat QBs in the NFL. The defense has found a star in Luke Kuechly, who racked up 156 total tackles this season, with 93 of them being solo tackles. The Panthers are very young as a team, and if they can continue to build upon their success in 2013, Carolina will be a threat in the NFC for years to come. Odds of making Super Bowl XLIX: 64%
Chris Turner
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Student at the University of Missouri-Columbia who has an unhealthy love for College Football. There is no offseason, only eight months of re-runs. Studying the Art of Fat Guy Touchdowns.
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