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While the best teams often make it to Super Bowl weekend, we often have surprising dark horse teams that make a solid run at it or win the big game altogether. Consider the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals. No one knew how good Joe Burrow was, and he guided the Bengals to a near win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The playoffs are a different beast for NFL teams. Every team can focus all its energy on winning one game at a time. There is no looking through opponents because you simply cannot afford to do so. Playoff football often pits opponents against each other that have met in the regular season, which makes rematches that much more exciting.
In 2024, it feels like there are several teams that have a realistic chance of making it to the second Sunday in February. With that in mind, let's dive in and see which dark horse Wild Card teams have a shot at making a serious run this season. No. 1 and No. 2 seeds are excluded from this analysis but that does not mean there is any shortage of candidates.
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5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Can you ever count out Mike Tomlin and his Steelers? Sure, Tomlin has not won a playoff game since 2016. However, have you seen the rosters he has had to deal with? It is a wonder the Steelers are as good as they are year after year. This year's team was playing at another level before a four-game losing streak caused it to stumble into the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin - How to Learn/Grow From Failure
1. Own It
2. Work with Others
3. Next Opportunity pic.twitter.com/Xqm7N1mA73— James Light (@JamesALight) January 3, 2025
The Steelers will draw the division-rival Ravens in the Wild Card round. It is a team that has historically had a lot of success when Lamar Jackson starts at quarterback. If they can get through this week, that burst of confidence might be enough to propel them on a playoff run.
Pittsburgh has a great defense, but it needs to clean up a few things on offense. If it can get wide receiver George Pickens' head back in the game and bring quarterback Russell Wilson back up to his level of play from earlier in the season, it could make a real run. Never count out coach Tomlin.
4. Los Angeles Rams
As a Seahawks fan, it is painful to admit that the Rams have a legitimate shot at making a run this season. With the combination of quarterback Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay, this team is capable of anything.
The Rams have already been in this situation. They were not considered the favorites to win it all when they beat the Bengals in 2021. Still, they meticulously fought their way through games and were consistent enough down the stretch to get the job done. Their experience at the top of this roster will be invaluable in a playoff run.
Keep counting us out... pic.twitter.com/sZ2ypr3HBO
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 7, 2025
The Rams' best quality in this year's playoffs is their defense. With a young stud in Jared Verse anchoring the defense with no Aaron Donald, the offense is in a great position to play a supporting role. Any offense with Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams is a dangerous one at any given point in time.
3. Washington Commanders
Much like the 2021 Bengals, the Commanders have a promising young quarterback and a stud receiver playing at a high level. Like the Bengals of old, the Commanders are an incomplete roster. However, their firepower of an offense can lead them to new heights.
The Commanders' secret weapon is their quarterback, Jayden Daniels. The rookie is playing the best football of his young career at the exact right time. If the Commanders can pull a road upset over the Buccaneers, they will be extremely hard to beat in the playoffs.
.@elleduncanESPN believes Jayden Daniels has already surpassed C.J. Stroud's rookie campaign.
Do you agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/trLRakiidc
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 9, 2025
Ultimately, the defense could be the Commanders' shortcoming. However, Daniels is so good that he is able to mask other issues on the roster. All it takes is for the ball to bounce the right way a couple of times.
2. Minnesota Vikings
A 14-win No. 5 seed is baffling, but here we are. The Vikings boast an excellent defense and a potent offense. They have the perfect combination for a run at the title game. Their biggest obstacle now is going to be playing on the road for most, if not all, of the playoffs. Two of the Vikings' three losses came on the road and their only home loss was at the hands of the No. 1 seed Lions.
The Vikings' chances hinge on the play of quarterback Sam Darnold. There is no denying that Darnold has been able to reach his potential in Kevin O'Connell's quarterback-friendly offense. However, throughout the season, we have still seen inklings of Darnold's flaws. For example, the Lions dared Darnold to beat them in Week 18. He fell flat on his face.
sam darnold with all of america watching in the biggest game of his career pic.twitter.com/0FcGSIKsDQ
— greg (@gandalf_thegreg) January 6, 2025
If Darnold can be "that dude," it will be difficult to stop the Vikings. They are a complete team, which is exactly what you look for in a high-end contender. They have a real shot at playing in this year's big game.
1. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are a sneaky team this season. With new head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers managed to win 11 games and claim the No. 5 seed in the AFC. They feel like a lock to get out of the first round against the Houston Texans. It might be time to bolt up.
Harbaugh wins everywhere he goes. He turned around two college programs early in his coaching career. He guided the 49ers to the Super Bowl and a couple of NFC Championship Games in his first stint in the NFL. Lastly, he is most notably coming off a national championship win with the Michigan Wolverines. Harbaugh is a coaching stud.
As his quarterback Justin Herbert has pointed out, Harbaugh is just different. As long as they have an elite head coach and quarterback combination, this team can realistically compete with anyone in the AFC. Watch out for the Chargers over the next few weeks.
Justin Herbert said the first time he realized Jim Harbaugh was different was when Harbaugh told the team he remembered the day he was born. pic.twitter.com/CfqwiG5sLc
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) January 7, 2025
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