With preseason on the horizon, there is a lot of chatter regarding the upcoming NFL season and which franchises could potentially reach the playoffs and compete for Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens are among those that are considered to be sure-fire favourites to reach the playoffs. On the other hand, some teams aren’t expected to be anywhere near contention, with expectations being based on an improved season.
Still, the offseason has seen plenty of movement for many organizations, with many becoming ‘dark horses’, especially with bettors. Indeed, this can be seen in the latest NFL preseason betting lines that have been released, as some players are expected to make a fast start due to the moves they have made. Bettors have started to take note, as they can offer additional value, especially with NFL matches offering several opportunities.
But, which teams could be considered an underdog and potentially shock the playoffs ahead of Super Bowl LX?
Arizona Cardinals
In a weakened NFC West, the Arizona Cardinals could be the surprise package of the entire NFL this season. The team managed to double their win total last season after recording eight, but they haven’t stopped there.
With the San Francisco 49ers losing key players after a poor season and both the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks not quite where they need to be, the Cards could have a surprise run in the NFC West and cause issues for others in the playoffs.
They will need Kyler Murray to stay healthy throughout the season, while the quarterback will need to keep making strides with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. On the other side of the ball, Walter Nolen III and Will Johnson were drafted and could add further strength to the defense.
Washington Commanders
After their run to the NFC Championship Game last season before losing to the eventual champions, the Eagles, it would be a surprise to consider the Washington Commanders as a potential underdog. However, they could be a team to go all the way and secure a Super Bowl.
Jayden Daniels had an incredible rookie year in a tough NFC East, and with that under his belt, many expect him to improve even further. Indeed, he has been given new weapons on offense, with Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil both being acquired.
They’ll definitely be a team to keep an eye on throughout the season, and one that could have a huge impact on the playoffs this season if all goes as planned.
Denver Broncos
Under Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos could be a serious underdog to consider in the upcoming NFL season. It will be his third year in charge, and they’ve improved every year under him. They reached the AFC Wild Card game before losing to the Buffalo Bills.
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix impressed in his final few games of the season, which adds intrigue and excitement about what the Broncos will be able to achieve. However, it’s not just on offense where the team is strong, with their defense highly productive. They ranked third for scoring in 2024, and have added experienced players Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga from the 49ers, as well as adding Jahdae Barron in the draft as their first pick.
Still, the AFC West is an incredibly tough division, with the Chiefs dominating it. If the Broncos can win their games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders (as well as others), they’ll have a good chance to go on another postseason run; one which could be better than what was achieved last season.
New England Patriots
Formally a dynasty, the New England Patriots have struggled to get back to the glory years. They aren’t anywhere near being a Super Bowl contender just yet, but there could be something exciting brewing in Foxborough.
Drake Maye had a promising rookie season and looks to be showing signs of being a franchise quarterback. It’s no easy task replacing Tom Brady, as others before him have shown when trying to lead the team. However, he has been given offensive weapons with the additions of Will Campbell and Stefon Diggs.
Add in an experienced head coach and former player in Mike Vrabel, the Patriots could be about to challenge the AFC East once again. If Vrabel can do what he had managed to achieve with the Tennessee Titans during his time with them and help build the Patriots into a force, they should be able to pass the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. If they can obtain a winning record good enough for the postseason, they will potentially cause trouble for some of the other franchises in the AFC when nobody really expects them to.
