Three NFL Darkhorse Super Bowl Contenders
The NFL season is almost here and for all 32 teams, the road to Las Vegas starts the second week of September. While teams like the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs, and Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles have their expectations set on winning the Lombardi Trophy, there are also teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans who probably will be hoping to see flashes from their young guys and hope for a better 2024 season.
In between are the main playoff contenders such as the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills who hope this year is finally their year to win the Super Bowl. But which teams could be Darkhorse Super Bowl contenders? Darkhorse means that this team is not widely seen as a Super Bowl contender, and sometimes not even a playoff contender, but could surprise people. A good example was last year's Philadelphia Eagles, who went from 9-8 and a first-round blowout loss, to 14-3 and narrowly losing the Super Bowl.
This article will preview three teams who could be darkhorse Super Bowl contenders, and while these teams could disappoint, they could also exceed expectations and end the season victorious in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pittsburgh Steelers
2022 Record: 9-8 3rd AFC North
After future Hall-Of-Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired in the 2022 offseason, the Steelers turned to first-round quarterback from Pittsburgh University Kenny Pickett. While many felt the Steelers would be a bottom-5 team in the league, Mike Tomlin reminded fans that there's a reason he has never finished with a below .500 record.
After starting 2-6, Pittsburgh started winning games as Pickett got more comfortable with the offense. The team finished 9-8 and fell just short of a playoff spot. Now with a year under his belt, Pickett should be better as well as the team improved its offensive line, added star cornerback Patrick Peterson and drafted another cornerback in Joey Porter Jr, as well as a weaker schedule.
I don't understand why so many people are writing the Steelers off. We know Tomlin won't have the squad below .500 so their floor is 9-8. I see this team winning 10-11 games this season and although they play in a very tough division, I think they have enough talent and elite coaching to make a good playoff push and even win the Super Bowl. It all depends on how the offense does under offensive coordinator Matt Canada, as the defense should be very good.
Los Angeles Chargers
2022 Record: 9-8 2nd AFC West
These past Chargers seasons have been underwhelming, to say the least. After going 7-9 in 2020 and finding their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers expected to make a good playoff run in the years following. Instead, they missed the playoffs in 2021, and last season, they finally made it but blew a 27-0 lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Now everyone seems to be writing off the Chargers. One prediction I saw was even 7-10. I don't understand why LA can't be seen as Super Bowl contenders. They still have Herbert, and his two-star wide receivers are healthy again. The defense also had key injuries last year as well including star cornerback JC Jackson.
Let's not forget they still have an elite running back Austin Ekeler and added offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who always had an elite offense in Dallas. I think the Chargers can make the playoffs once again and with Moore allowing Herbert to be himself again, there's no reason to believe the Chargers can't make the playoffs again.
Atlanta Falcons
2022 Record: 7-10 4th NFC South
The Atlanta Falcons finished one game out of the playoffs last season and now turn the keys of the franchise to young quarterback Desmond Ridder. If there's any team that can make an Eagles leap this season, I think it could be the Falcons. Maybe not the 14-3 record, but I could see this team similar to the 2021 Eagles, who were predicted to be one of the worst teams and finished 9-8.
Both teams had big question marks at quarterback as Ridder and Hurts were both unproven, scrambler quarterbacks. This off-season, the Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson, committing themselves to be a run-first team this season. They also improved heavily on defense including signing one of the best safeties in the league Jesse Bates.
The Falcons play in the worst division in the league and have the league's easiest schedule. The 2021 Eagles also had the league's easiest schedule as well. With question marks all around the NFC South, I could see the Falcons winning 10 games this season and making a deep playoff push in the weak NFC. While they may have trouble against San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Dallas, crazier things have happened.
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