The NFL season preview talk rolls on today – in case you’re new here, I’ve put out about a million top 10 lists this summer, previewing each position on the field from quarterbacks to the coordinators on the sidelines. Now, it’s time to shift gears and start making some predictions for the season. Today, I’m looking at six teams that I think could surprise some folks this fall.
Dark Horse NFL Playoff Contenders (2021)
Atlanta Falcons – Look, that defense is the question mark, right? We know the Falcons have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and I expect that to be amplified by the addition of new head coach Arthur Smith. But outside of NFL stalwarts Grady Jarrett and Deion Jones, and the promising young corner AJ Terrell, where are the studs on this defense? If anyone can get a rush going, it’s new defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who came out of retirement to take this job. Maybe Smith just take the blueprint from the 2020 Titans with him to Atlanta, outscores everyone, and wins 11 games with a bad defense. All kidding aside, this roster isn’t that far away if Pees can work his magic with that defense.
Carolina Panthers – What can I say? Matt Rhule can build out a program and culture. I’m a fan. Maybe I’m drinkin’ the Kool-Aid…err…*ahem* Rhule-Aid, a little too much, but I like him as the head man. Even more so, I love the composition of this roster. They’ve been re-building, but now they have the foundation in place. Christian McCaffrey is one of the premiere weapons in the NFL when healthy, and thankfully for the Panthers, he’s back and healthy to start 2021. I think a fresh start somewhere new is just what Sam Darnold needed, and he has some weapons at receiver to work with. Robby Anderson, who he’ll reunite with from their days together with the Jets, and DJ Moore both posted over a thousand yards last season. Rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. has looked good this preseason too. But, this regime has done a fantastic job in getting cornerstone pieces across the defense – Brian Burns, Jeremy Chinn, Derrick Brown, Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson. There’s enough talent that this team could surprise some folks on both sides of the ball.
Denver Broncos – Officially calling the switch and naming Teddy Bridgewater the starting quarterback looks to me like the Broncos realize how good their roster is and they’re saying, “okay, we just need somebody who isn’t going to fuck this up.” Bridgewater is that quarterback. There’s a strong offensive line in Denver, and they are absolutely LOADED with talent at the skill positions. They have two stout running backs – I mean, really….Bridgewater is exactly what they need to get the most out of 2021 before they can come up with a longterm solution at the position. They have two of the best edge rushers in the game on defense, with one of the league’s best secondary. Do NOT sleep on this roster. That division is going to be competitive, but the Broncos could absolutely end up being one of the seven best teams in the AFC.
Las Vegas Raiders – When is everything going to come together at the same time for Jon Gruden? At different points in his tenure with the team, Derek Carr has played lights out, they’ve had a strong running game and offensive line, and a promising defense. But, it’s never been simultaneous – this team has felt like it’s been missing that spark for three seasons now. So, if they do get that spark in 2021, watch out. This could be a surprise contender.
Miami Dolphins – Seems weird to call a team that was nearly a playoff team a season ago a ‘dark horse.’ Like, we all see Miami coming this year, right? Nonetheless, Brian Flores has done a fantastic job in rebuilding the Dolphins since taking over as head coach. The concern was at quarterback – but lest we forget, not everyone is a league-wide sensation right out of the gate. It might’ve taken some time for Tua Tagovailoa to get the playbook down, but he’s looked significantly improved throughout the preseason. Reuniting with Jaylen Waddle doesn’t hurt. The defense is going to be good – now, if the offense can catch up, this team could go on a real run in 2021.
New York Giants – I know it seems like a shitshow in New York. I know that Jason Garrett is still there as offensive coordinator, and ultimately, that may end up hurting the team. But, man – they’ve done a pretty damn good job in putting together a solid defense on paper. They may have the best defensive line duo in the league with one of the surest tackling linebackers in the game behind ’em. There’s reason for optimism about this unit. Personally, I don’t think Daniel Jones is as bad as people make him out to be – we just remember the highlights of his goofy ass tripping over absolutely nothing on Monday Night Football. But, he’s capable of being a pretty solid quarterback in the NFL. He certainly has the receiving weapons to do it, and getting Saquon Barkley back and healthy should provide a spark on offense. They just HAVE to figure out the offensive line. If they do, this could be an all-around solid squad this season.
If I had to rank these teams in order of most likely to surprise to least likely to surprise, I’d have ’em:
- Denver Broncos
- Miami Dolphins
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
- New York Giants
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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