The NFL is a league that has its powerhouse franchises that you can almost always count on being in the postseason, but it also has a lot of turnover in its postseason participation, which is what makes it one of the most fun leagues to bet on.
The NFL odds are always set for teams to have a chance at the postseason, because honestly, other than a few, everyone does as we start a campaign.
Heading into the 2022-23 season, there are a few teams that aren’t getting as much hype as the rest of the contenders, but they have just as good a shot at putting things together for a potential title run.
Let’s take a look at which are the most underrated NFL teams that might be flying under the radar heading into this season.
Most Underrated NFL Teams
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings always seem to tease a bit with a couple of big wins but end up fading out against the perennial title-contending Green Bay Packers in the NFC Central.
But Minnesota has one of the top running backs in the game in Dalvin Cook and a rising star at wide receiver in Justin Jefferson, so they’re going to be dangerous offensively.
Vikings Lineup Breakdown
Cook had 1,159 yards and six touchdowns on the ground a season ago despite playing in only 13 games. Cook can be a workhorse when healthy, and he’ll be looking to get back to his 2020 level of 1,557 yards and 16 scores this season.
Jefferson enters his third season in the NFL as the No. 1 target for quarterback Kirk Cousins, having ranked fourth in the league with 108 catches and second with 1,616 yards a season ago.
Jefferson will be helped if Cook can stay healthy and be a threat with the ball, as well as having even more of a connection with Cousins.
Kirk Cousins Rankings
Speaking of Cousins, the 33-year-old is coming off a 4,000-yard passing season with 33 touchdowns, ranking ninth in the NFL in both categories. He’s consistent and a leader and should continue that this season.
The Vikings open against the Packers in NFL Week 1, so they can set the tone for the season at the start. Look for Minnesota to continue to push Green Bay for the division title in 2022.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders made the biggest free-agent splash of the offseason in signing DaVante Adams away from the Green Bay Packers to give quarterback Derek Carr a No. 1 target for the coming season.
Despite that, Las Vegas has the worst odds among the four AFC West teams to be successful this season. Adams brings No. 1 receiver clout immediately, as he’s considered one of the top receivers in all of football.
Raiders Lineup Breakdown
The numbers bear that out, as Adams ranked second in the NFL with 123 catches in 2021, with his receiving yards (third at 1,553) and receiving touchdowns (fifth at 11) also ranking in the top five in football.
Carr led the Raiders to a playoff spot even without Adams, throwing for 4,804 yards and 23 touchdowns and cutting down on his mistakes with 14 interceptions.
He should be energized to have a player like Adams on the receiving end of his throws and to try to get Las Vegas back to the postseason.
Josh Jacobs Running Back
The play of running back Josh Jacobs will be a key. After a pair of 1,000-yard rushing campaigns, Jacobs was off a bit in 2021, rushing for a career-low 872 yards and nine scores.
If he can get back to the consistent threat he was in his first two seasons in the league, the Raiders offense could be hard to stop.
Of course, in a division with the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos, nothing’s going to come easy. When it comes to NFL picks, we like the Raiders to be right in the mix all season long.
Carolina Panthers
Another big move this offseason was the acquisition of quarterback Baker Mayfield by the Carolina Panthers from the Cleveland Browns.
Mayfield had been on the outs in Cleveland after a disappointing campaign in 2021 and the team’s move to bring in Deshaun Watson, but it’s not like Mayfield is washed up.
At only 27, Mayfield will team with Sam Darnold to provide a solid 1-2 punch at the quarterback position for third-year head coach Matt Rhule.
Carolina Panthers’ Inconsistency
One of the problems with the Panthers a season ago was inconsistency at the quarterback position, with Cam Newton making a few starts for the team, but Carolina should be solid under center in 2022.
Rhule is building something in Carolina, and when looking at the NFL team stats, the rest of the NFC South seems to be regressing a bit.
The Atlanta Falcons said goodbye to Matt Ryan while the New Orleans Saints are still trying to find a replacement for Drew Brees. That opens the door for the Panthers to potentially move up.
Carolina was 4-4 in NFL matchups at one point last season, then had the bottom fall out. The hope is this year will bring more of the play from those first eight games and keep the team in contention much longer.
