3 Dark Horse NFL Playoff Contenders

Every year there are obvious choices for who can go to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs, the 49ers, the Ravens, just to name a few. But every year there are a couple of teams that sneak their way into the playoffs, and sometimes make a deep run. Last year we saw the Lions and the Texans surprise everyone, so what NFL teams could be big surprises in 2024?

1. Atlanta Falcons

Yes, this one may seem way out of left field. But the Atlanta Falcons have seemingly been a close contender for a couple of years. The two biggest upgrades this year are Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as head coach, and Kirk Cousins signing a huge QB deal in free agency.

One of the large criticisms the Falcons heard last year was not using their star players effectively. Bijan Robinson is a supremely talented running back, and Kyle Pitts has been criminally underutilized at tight end. With veteran Kirk Cousins being brought in though, this offense gets a massive overhaul right away, not to mention planning for their future by drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick.

Now with a bonafide, established QB throwing the ball, the offense finally has a centerpiece it's been missing since Matt Ryan. The defense is a huge hole for the Falcons, but I think having a defensive-minded head coach to compensate for the lack of high level talent could be a smart move. The NFC South is a fairly weak division, and Atlanta was just 2 games out of winning it last year. It might be time they get over that hump.

2. Los Angeles Chargers

In my opinion, the massive issue with the Chargers last season was the coaching. Watching the Chargers in 2023 was like watching Mike Tyson punch himself in the face. The roster was extremely impressive, and Justin Herbert is a top-10 QB in the league. Staley did not play to their strengths. This year, however, they bring in former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh who just came off a College Football National Championship.

Drafting Joe Alt at tackle, bringing in Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins at running back, and seemingly gutting the entire wide receiver room, Harbaugh has immediately given this team an "in your face” identity. Neither the Raiders nor the Broncos have made huge splashes this offseason, and while the Chiefs are still the Chiefs, that number 2 spot in the AFC West is wide open.

The Chargers will be a tough team this year, and that toughness can power them right to a wild card spot. Herbert and Harbaugh could be a scary combination in the very near future, and we can finally see the QB live up to his potential in his 5th season.

3. Washington Commanders

I should preface this by saying the Commanders are not a team that I expect to win the division in the NFC East. The East is an unpredictable division every year. The Cowboys and Eagles are always good, and the Giants are rebuilding fast. However, they are a team that could steal a wild card spot. Not to sound contradictory, but the NFC as a whole isn’t exactly a juggernaut of a conference. There are plenty of contenders, but the 49ers were the clear runaways last year and even they couldn’t get the job done.

Washington drafted Jayden Daniels (my personal favorite QB of the 2024 draft) 2nd overall. They’d spend 5 of their 9 picks beefing up their defense and adding offensive weapons with the others. While I’m not over the moon about Dan Quinn as head coach, he has a proven track record of success.

Winning the Super Bowl as a defensive coordinator for the Seahawks, appearing in Super Bowl LI as the Falcons head coach, and bringing some life to the Cowboys defense after that. He’s familiar with bright lights, and Washington has a lot of potential this season. If their roster and young stars can live up to it, we'll have a real “worst to first” situation brewing.

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