2021 NFL season: 5 sleeper teams to watch
There are the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the league, but who are the sleepers trying to knock them off in the 2021 NFL season?
5. New York Jets
Alright, we start with the Jets where they have hope after replacing their coach and quarterback this offseason. Yes, it will take plenty for New York to make the playoffs even with the seven-team field, but there’s reason for optimism. If Zach Wilson and Robert Saleh prove a formidable duo, the former has weapons around him and the latter can coach up a struggling defense. New York had a great offseason, giving the Jets reason to think a wild card berth is possible.
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were one of the league’s most disappointing teams in 2020. Minnesota has the talent to make a significant move in the NFC, especially if Aaron Rodgers gets traded out of Green Bay. Mike Zimmer’s club has stars on the offense including running back Dalvin Cook, and wide receivers Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. If the defense is simply decent, this is a group which should win double-digit games.
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3. Arizona Cardinals
Everyone seemingly forgot about this Cardinals after they fizzled following a 5-2 start. And while there are real questions about head coach Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona is a Kyle Murray step away from being a title contender. The defense added J.J. Watt this offseason while the offense brought center Rodney Hudson into the fold. This should be one of the NFC’s best clubs.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Staying in the NFC West, the 49ers can’t be dismissed. The big question here is whether Trey Lance or Jimmy Garoppolo is the starting quarterback. The best guess here is Garoppolo plays until he’s hurt or ineffective, and if San Francisco can stay healthy, it has one of the league’s best rosters. Last season, the Niners limped to a 6-10 mark, which is actually impressive when you consider Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle and edge rusher Nick Bosa each missed almost the entire campaign.
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1. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is an elite quarterback, and he’s only entering his second season. The Chargers also have one of the league’s most-talented rosters ranging from receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams to defensive stars in edge rusher Joey Bosa, safety Derwin James and others. All that said, the concern is whether first-year head coach Brandon Staley can do the job, and if the Chargers, notorious for injury, can stay healthy. But the potential is certainly there.
