11 true Super Bowl contenders, and their biggest question

The NFL season is halfway through, and it's time to identify the true Super Bowl contenders. Here are the 11 teams that could make a case for being among the elite, along with the biggest questions they must answer moving forward.

AFC contenders

The Jacksonville Jaguars have led the pack in point differential (+108) and turnover differential, with Trevor Lawrence performing like an MVP and a defense that has improved significantly since the trade deadline. The big question for the Jaguars is whether these recent additions will push them over the top and into the Super Bowl.

The Buffalo Bills have also been a consistent force, with Josh Allen leading a strong offense that improved their standing to 7-1. However, the defense remains a question mark, especially after their performance against the Minnesota Vikings. Amani Hooker could be the answer to Buffalo's defensive concerns.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a strong offense with Joe Burrow playing at an elite level, and Ja'Karr Chase and Tee Higgins providing a formidable receiving duo. The Bengals are averaging 0.146 Expected Points Added per play, which puts them among the best offenses in the league. The big question for Cincinnati is whether their defense can step up and prevent the opposing team from scoring too many points.

Denver Broncos have a talented defense, but their offense is more average than expected. While they have won two impressive games, including a home victory against Jacksonville and Kansas City, the big question is whether quarterback Bo Nix can live up to his potential. If Nix can, the Broncos could make a deep run in the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs are back with Patrick Mahomes healthy and performing well. They have also improved their rushing offense, thanks to the addition of Kenneth Walker III. However, the big question for the Chiefs is where they will find explosive plays in the passing game, as they currently have fewer such plays than the rest of the league.

Pittsburgh Steelers have an impressive running game and a defense that ranks among the best in the league. However, their passing game needs improvement, as they currently have the seventh-lowest Expected Points Added per dropback in the league. The big question for the Steelers is whether they can get enough out of their passing game to contend for the Super Bowl.