The Team of the Week series returns for a second consecutive season.
Why not open the season with a cluster of predictions before Week 1 starts?
There are easy predictions that the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles will be featured the most given the fact that they’re the best three teams in the NFL. The AFC will get more nominations based on the quality of teams and players in that conference.
And then, there are underrated teams that could get nominated more than people expect. Let’s dive in.
Underrated Nominations and Reasoning
Carolina Panthers
This team has recently flown under the radar. Is their receiver core the most pretty in the NFL? No, that title would belong to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Seattle Seahawks. However, they play in a dumpster fire of a division (let alone, the NFC as a whole), made a good head coaching change, added solid free agents, and landed the best quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft class, Alabama’s Bryce Young.
Chicago Bears
Bears fans have been talking a lot of crap this offseason. Is that justified? Time will tell. They did get a tremendous wide receiver in D.J. Moore from a trade with the Carolina Panthers for the No. 1 (and as a Panthers fan, this subtraction still upsets me). The Bears do have a good team. Nevertheless, the amount of success they will get is going to rely on their offensive line. If Justin Fields can survive behind his offensive line, the Bears have a chance to not only get a Wild Card berth but possibly win the whole NFC North.
Atlanta Falcons
Like the Panthers, the Falcons play in a dog-crap conference and division. They have a great defense and the weapons (Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson, Drake London, etc.) to be good. Their roster seems like one that can be a playoff contender on paper. However, whether or not they secure a berth depends on how second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder performs.
New York Jets
The Jets’ popularity exploded during the offseason, primarily due to the signing of four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion Aaron “Darkness Retreat Boy, Turned Cult Leader” Rodgers, and a bunch of former Green Bay guys. The Jets have a great returning roster. The only reason that they weren’t in playoff contention was because of their quarterback play. Rodgers is certainly better than Mike White, Zach Wilson, and Sam Darnold, who is still seeing ghosts from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Green Bay Packers
On paper, the Packers’ roster is underwhelming compared to other teams in their division. However, the emergence of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs has been crucial for Green Bay. This offense could be electric. However, like the Falcons, their success depends on their quarterback. Jordan Love is now in charge of the Packers after the departure of Rodgers. Knowing the NFL, Love has a good chance to continue the long lineage of great quarterbacks in Green Bay.
The regular season starts this Thursday. To all football fans, Happy NFL Christmas.
Let’s ride.
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