The NFL season is in full swing and there is plenty of talk about who can surprise and who can not. It is easy to get carried away and think that the NFL is going to be a tough league to beat in the coming years, but there are actually some teams who can surprise you and who could be looking at a championship run in the near future. Here are five teams that you might not have heard of yet that could surprise you in the next few years.
Seattle Seahawks
There’s no doubt that the Seattle Seahawks surprised everyone last season. They went 9-8 and earned a playoff berth. However, there are several key factors that will need to be addressed during the Super Bowl offseason to ensure that the team’s success continues. You can already start following their Super Bowl odds for 2024, visit this website to follow them.
The Seahawks are led by coach Pete Carroll, who has been able to make the most of his talented players. While Carroll doesn’t have the strongest resume as a head coach in the NFL, he’s been a very effective leader in Seattle.
Seattle’s defense has been getting better. It’s now just half a game out of the NFC wild-card race. This could be a turning point in the team’s quest to win the NFC West. Geno Smith has done a great job filling in for Russell Wilson. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback is still a big part of the team’s success. In fact, he has helped the team earn a playoff berth.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are the number-one for Super Bowl 50. They are a favorite to win the game. With that, they need to add more pieces to their defense and wide receiver.
Adding more pieces to the Green Bay Packers defense would be a huge help in the future. There are still a few questions that need to be answered. However, it is clear that this team is headed in the right direction.
Aaron Rodgers will turn 40 years old before the end of the season. He is still a star player, and his future with the Packers is a major question. But if he does leave, Tom Brady will be a possible candidate.
Aside from Rodgers and Brady, the 2024 Packers have lots of other stars. Justin Fields is a great runner. His passing attack is also gaining momentum. As a result, there is some potential for the Packers to challenge for the division title.
Los Angeles Chargers
Despite being one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Los Angeles Chargers are still a dangerous team in the playoffs. They’ve got a talented roster and a strong coaching staff. If they can get through the first round of the 2024 postseason, they could find themselves in a Super Bowl.
They’ve got a solid defense and a great offense. The secondary is loaded with players such as J.C. Jackson and Asante Samuel Jr. With Joey Bosa back, it’s a good time to be a Charger. Los Angeles had a strong offseason. Among other things, they acquired OLB Khalil Mack and CB J.C. Jackson from the Chicago Bears. Both players have the potential to be huge stars.
They didn’t make the playoffs in their first year under head coach Brandon Staley. But, with a young quarterback, a talented running back, and a good coach, they have the tools to take the next step.
Detroit Lions
One of the NFL’s feel-good stories of the season is the Detroit Lions. After a disappointing start, they bounced back with an 8-2 second half, allowing just 229.0 passing yards and beating the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 18.
Although they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth straight year, the Lions have plenty of potential to compete for the NFC North title in 2024. With two first-round picks, the Lions have a good chance to take home the fifth overall selection. They could even add a player in free agency.
The Lions have some offensive weapons, including quarterback Jared Goff, who is starting to prove himself. However, the team has some defensive weaknesses that need to be addressed. There’s also a need for a secondary player and a pass rusher.
Minnesota Vikings
When you look at the teams positioned to make the playoffs, it would be hard to ignore the Minnesota Vikings. After all, they made the playoffs three years in a row under Mike Zimmer. But with a roster that is in need of upgrades and a quarterback who is polarizing, there are questions about the Vikings’ long-term future.
There are also a lot of questions about the team’s secondary. Among the players who could be gone is safety Harrison Smith and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown. This is a big problem for a team that is trying to balance the books.
It is unlikely that the Vikings will be able to find an answer with the 2024 NFL Draft. But there are several ways to get to the playoffs. They will be facing NFC opponents, as well as divisional foes. And they have the ability to steal a game on the road.
