5 Super Bowl contenders ahead of Week 13 of 2021 NFL season

Los Angeles Rams v Green Bay Packers

5 NFL Super Bowl contenders after Week 12

#3 - Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers spent Week 12 knocking an early-season NFL Super Bowl contender down a notch. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers beat the Los Angeles Rams as the West Coast defense had no answer for Rodgers' unit.

Green Bay scored 36 points, and the final score (36-28) made the game seem competitive due to the Rams' 11-0 rally in the fourth quarter. The win puts the Packers at 9-3 and near the top of the NFC playoff race.

So much drama has surrounded this Packers team, thanks to Rodgers. First, it was the NFL offseason questions of whether he would even be on the team this year. Then came the positive COVID test, followed by the news of his injured toe. But the Packers continue to win and look to be among the NFL elite once again in 2021.

#2 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are starting to run away with the NFC South as their competitors deal with different levels of turmoil. Having Tom Brady under center usually helps an NFL team stay steady.

Week 12 saw the Buccaneers pull off a thrilling victory over an Indianapolis Colts team playing like a real contender. Brady had only one touchdown in the 38-31 win, but he left the scoring to his running backs. Leonard Fournette ran in for three scores while Ronald Jones II added another. Fournette also had a receiving touchdown on the day.

The defense is a concern, but Tampa has the top scoring offense in the NFL. Giving up 31 points and still winning without Brady playing at his best proves this team will be tough to beat this season.

#1 - Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have been pacing the rest of the NFL all season thanks to a 7-0 start. The team is now 9-2 and hasn't even had Kyler Murray on the field the past three games. It shows the depth and structure in place that is tough to match around the NFL.

The team was off in Week 12, and that should mean Kyler Murray returns healthy and ready to go in Week 13 against a reeling Chicago Bears team. Arizona already beat San Francisco and Seattle without him, so the Bears may not stand a chance after barely scraping by the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.

A significant question for the Cardinals was supposed to be about whether they could hold off the Rams. The Rams are now two games back in the NFC West at 7-4, with one matchup remaining between the two teams in Week 14. If Arizona wins, they seem headed toward the top spot in the NFC playoffs.