Written by Donovan Clark
Edited by Anthony Mendoza Barajas
As the NFL season reaches mid point, several teams are proving to be playoff contenders despite being overlooked in the power rankings and the off-season.
Underrated teams
#1: Washington commanders
The Washington commanders were one of the worst teams in the league in 2023 going 4-13 on the year. Earning themselves the number 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, selecting Jayden Daniels, the future of their franchise. Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin (Scary Terry) are one of the scariest duos in the NFL. Jayden Daniels has thrown for 6 total touchdowns, 4 of them have gone to Terry McLaurin. With these two players going off they have earned themselves a 6-2 record after week seven.
On October 27th Commanders vs Bears, commanders were down 15-12 last play of the game and Jayden Daniels launches a 52 yard bomb. It gets tipped and caught in the endzone by Noah Brown to win the game.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn on the catch: “It was awesome. The shot that goes up in the air and then I’d probably imagine it’s like seeing a home run, ‘Is it gonna go out? Is it not? Is it gonna make it?’, so the tip to catch then the first thing I do as the coach is, ‘Is there a flag?’" laughed Quinn.
“And then, absolute mayhem, and it was so much fun.”
#2: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings were an ok team going 7-10 in 2023 ending up with pick 10th in the 2024 NFL draft. After trading kirk cousins to the Atlanta falcons they had to select a quarterback, they picked JJ McCarthy. They already had the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson, so with the remainder of their picks they picked Dallas Turner and Khyree Jackson. JJ McCarthy ended up getting hurt in the preseason, and Khyree Jackson sadly passed away in a car crash just before the NFL preseason. The only person that the Vikings drafted within the first 4 rounds that has actually played a regular season NFL game is Dallas Turner. Still they are one of the best teams in the league right now in the 2024 season with a record of 5-2.
#3: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals were not the greatest team in 2023 going 4-13, but they had high expectations going into the 2024 season since they drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. with the 4th pick of the 2024 NFL draft. He was the best wide receiver in the 2023 NCAA season and was really good the rest of his college years. Him and Kyler Murray were supposed to be one of the best WR-QB duo in the league, and right now they aren't doing too bad with a record of 4-4 which is 2nd in the NFC west.
NFL Power Rankings
#1 Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are 7-0. They beat the Raiders in their last game 27 - 20
#2 Detroit lions
The Lions are 6-1. They beat the Titans in their last game 52 - 14
#3 Buffalo Bills
The Bills are 5-2. They beat the Seahawks in their last game 31 - 10
#4 Green Bay Packers
The Packers are 6-2. They beat the jaguars in their last game 30 - 27
#5 Houston Texans
The Texans are 6-2. They beat the Colts in their last game 23 - 20
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