RADIO
Every season, there are teams in the NFL that exceed expectations. In 2021, it was both the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams. Both those teams had the quarterback play and talent to get to the Super Bowl, but very few people actually predicted either to make it.
Last season, it was teams like the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers. Funny enough, all three of those teams have now played their way into being Super Bowl contenders in 2024.
So, let's look at three teams that are sneaky Super Bowl contenders heading into the year. These three teams don't have high odds to make the Super Bowl in 2024, so a lot would need to go their way.
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New York Jets
On paper, the New York Jets have everything to be a Super Bowl contender this year. They have a future Hall of Fame quarterback (Aaron Rodgers), two All-Pro-type playmakers on offense (Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall), and a stifling defense. The only reason they don't have higher Super Bowl odds is likely due to Rodgers.
Best ever Pass TD/INT ratio among QB with 4,000 Pass Yards in a single season
2018 Aaron Rodgers 25/2
2020 Aaron Rodgers 48/5
2021 Aaron Rodgers 37/4
2014 Aaron Rodgers 38/5
2011 Aaron Rodgers 45/6
2019 Aaron Rodgers 26/4 pic.twitter.com/hBr87Px9BR— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) July 5, 2024
After tearing his Achilles just four snaps into the 2023 campaign, does Rodgers still have enough left in the tank to lead this Jets team to a Super Bowl? If he shows no signs of slowing down in his 20th NFL season, watch out for the Jets in 2024. Their defense ranked top 10 last year, and they only got better after acquiring Haason Reddick this offseason.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons might be a long shot to make the Super Bowl in 2024, but we've seen this exact scenario play out before. Heading into the 2022 season, the Rams were looking for a quarterback upgrade. They felt like they were just one piece away from making a run in the playoffs. So, they went out and traded for Matthew Stafford -- who eventually led the team to a Super Bowl.
Now, a similar story could play out for the Falcons. They signed Kirk Cousins to a multiyear deal this offseason after the team went 7-10 last year. With playmakers like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts on offense, Cousins could propel this unit to top-10 territory in 2024.
The only player in franchise history to record at least 100 tackles and six interceptions in a single season:
Jessie Bates III pic.twitter.com/Ov0ASKes73
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) July 9, 2024
The defense will surely need to be more consistent if they want to be true contenders. But the Falcons do have the superstars on that side of the ball (Grady Jarrett, A.J. Terrell, and Jessie Bates III) to help get them to the Super Bowl.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns might be one of the most slept-on teams heading into the year. Despite finishing with an 11-6 record and making the playoffs last season, no one is talking about the Browns being Super Bowl contenders in 2024.
Of course, there are question marks about Deshaun Watson and whether he can return to his former 2020 self. However, he doesn't necessarily need to be this elite quarterback to help the Browns make the Super Bowl. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL -- led by Myles Garrett -- and having playmakers like Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and David Njoku in the passing game should make things a lot easier for Watson. The potential is there for this Cleveland team to make a run in the playoffs.
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