Sleeper teams in the NFL are teams that exceed expectations in a season and make a surprisingly deep playoff run. Last season, the San Francisco 49ers were the only sleeper team from the NFC. Their defense and running game took them from the second-worst record in 2018 to Super Bowl runner-ups in 2019.
Let’s take a look at the two teams in the NFC who have the best chance at exceeding expectations and winning Super Bowl LV.
Atlanta Falcons
With high expectations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints this season, many people forget about the Falcons in the NFC South.
The Falcons’ offense is stacked this year. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones have always given opposing defenses problems, but now the two young, talented receivers in Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage make them even harder to stop. In addition to the elite receiving corps, the new additions from this offseason, running back Todd Gurley and tight end Hayden Hurst may make Atlanta’s offense unstoppable.
Defensively they aren’t as dominant, but a pair of breakout seasons from safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen could give Atlanta a top-10 defense this season.
The Falcons secondary isn’t great, however, their interior play is very strong. Defensive linemen Grady Jarrett, Dante Fowler Jr, and Takkarist McKinley are excellent pass rushers and run-stoppers.
If the Falcons can win their division games and play solid in the fourth quarter, they can make the playoffs as a low seed. From there, they’ll need a magical playoff run if they want redemption for the heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51.
Los Angeles Rams
Similarly to the Falcons, the Rams are members of a stacked division this season. The NFC West features the 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals, who are all expected to win a fair share of games. Regardless, the Rams have almost an identical roster to when they made the Super Bowl in 2018.
Despite losing key offensive players in Gurley and Brandin Cooks, the Rams still have plenty of firepower on offense. Wide Receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are nightmares for opposing defenses, rookie running back Cam Akers has shown that he can take over the lead back role, and Jared Goff is in line for a breakout season.
On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Michael Brockers, Leonard Floyd, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald make up an unstoppable pass rush. Pair that with Jalen Ramsey, John Johnson, and other stars in their secondary and the Rams have one of the best defenses in the league.
The Rams have the best chance out of all the sleeper teams to win the Super Bowl because of their coaching, talent, and experience. It won’t be easy in their division but they are definitely capable of winning the Super Bowl and getting redemption for their loss to Tom Brady and the Patriots two seasons ago.
Make sure to check out my AFC Sleepers as well.
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