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5 Super Bowl 59 underdogs, including Jayden Daniels and the red-hot Commanders

cory woodroof
·2 min read
Nov 10, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) defends during the first half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) defends during the first half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Next month's Super Bowl will feature two of the best NFL teams vying for a title, and it's not hard to imagine who those teams could be.

Juggernauts like the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills will be unquestioned favorites to hoist a Lombardi in February.

How about the underdogs? We've picked five NFL teams that most folks might not be taking seriously as real Super Bowl contenders and broken down why we're not writing these teams off just yet.

A pair of rookie quarterbacks, a past Super Bowl winner and a couple of teams that won playoff games last year make our list.

Houston Texans

Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks up after a play during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Dec 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks up after a play during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Texans have C.J. Stroud. Yes, the team has underwhelmed a bit this season, but Stroud can get hot at the right time. Combine that with Houston's stout defense and you get a team that can upset your postseason plans at the drop of a hat. Consider me intrigued.

Denver Broncos

Jan 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) laterals the ball in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) laterals the ball in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nobody will be scared of the Broncos during this year's playoffs, but should they be? Sean Payton has turned Bo Nix from a controversial draft pick into an impressive rookie, and that Denver defense is no joke. You catch this team on the wrong day, and it can upset you in style.

Washington Commanders

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Jayden Daniels has been a sensation during his rookie season, and a lot of NFL teams struggle to contain a mobile quarterback. Daniels can do so much damage with his legs. Washington's opportunistic defense can get takeaways and pressure on the quarterback, too. Like Denver, maybe Washington is a year away from meaningful playoff contention. What if they're ready now?

Los Angeles Rams

Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Rams won a Super Bowl with Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford in 2022, and it wouldn't be a shock to see them do it again. This Los Angeles team isn't quite as strong defensively as that championship-winning one was, but they can do enough. The Rams' offense might be as good.

Green Bay Packers

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 15: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of the game at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151546 ORIG FILE ID: 2190148563
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 15: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of the game at Lumen Field on December 15, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151546 ORIG FILE ID: 2190148563

The Packers surprised in last year's NFL postseason, and who's to say the team can't do it again? Jordan Love is absolutely dangerous when he's in a rhythm, and this Green Bay defense can get after the quarterback as well as any team in the NFL. Green Bay can play spoiler this January.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 Super Bowl 59 underdogs, including Jayden Daniels and the red-hot Commanders