8 under-the-radar teams that could absolutely win a Super Bowl
We're almost to Thanksgiving, which means it's finally a good time to take a look around the NFL and figure out who the real standout contenders are. But seeing as this is a totally weird year, that's not that easy to do. We all know the Patriots and Cowboys are good this year. The Seahawks and Broncos are predictably heading to the playoffs.
But what about that big clump of decent-to-pretty-good teams lurking right around them? Are there any in that group that can win a Super Bowl? Glad you asked. Here are 8 teams flying somewhat under the radar who absolutely can win a Super Bowl.
1. New York Giants
This team looked middling at the start of the year and is rounding itself into one of those classic Giants teams that can make a deep run. They have one of the best receiving corps in the league, Eli Manning doing Eli Manning things, and most importantly, a defense that is rounding into shape at just the right moment. If they can put pressure on the quarterback on defense, and get Odell Beckham Jr. the ball in space on offense, they can beat anyone on any day.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are quietly 5-4, and the team is built around the defense, which Football Outsiders's DVOA has ranked as the second best defense in the league. The offense stinks for now, but if they figure something out, even if it's just "Joe Flacco heaves the ball downfield a bunch and they hope for pass interference calls," that might be enough. They've done it before, and they can do it again.
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are just like the Ravens, only the opposite. They have a breathtaking offense, and their defense is an absolute nightmare. But that could be enough - as the Saints showed us in '07, if you have a perfect offense and your defense can cause a few turnovers, you can get hot and make a run. The Falcons can do one thing extremely well, which is more than most teams can say.
4. Arizona Cardinals
A nightmare start to the season, but the Cardinals are quietly putting together a really nice string of games and look to be coming together at exactly the right time. They've got one of the best defenses in the league and they can run the football. That's been a recipe for postseason success since the start of the NFL.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
This team has struggled with injuries, but if Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, I don't think anyone in the league would want to face the Steelers in a playoff game. The defense has more than a few holes, but as we've said, there is no complete team in the NFL this year. If Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown are cooking, and their defense can play just at league average, you've got a recipe for a deep postseason run.
6. Oakland Raiders
They aren't really flying under the radar, but I still don't know if people are taking this Raiders team as seriously as they should. Derek Carr is having a spectacular season, and Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree might be the best 1-2 receiving punch in the NFL. Same caveat with every good offensive team on this list: Their defense is a mess.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
Not sure if the Chiefs are under-the-radar are not, but this team is good. They have a stout defense, they find ways to win close games, and they don't do anything stupid on offense. Running back Spencer Ware is averaging 5 yards a carry on offense, and Alex Smith does what he always does. Maybe this weird year is the year that Andy Reid breaks through?
8. Philadelphia Eagles
For the second week in a row, Football Outsiders' Weighted DVOA ranking has the Philadelphia Eagles as the best team in the NFL. I'm not sure I'm buying it, but what I am buying is this team's defense. They can stop anyone, and if Carson Wentz can rediscover some of that magic from early in the season, I don't see why the Eagles can't make a run at a Super Bowl.