The NFL underdog index: which teams could spring a Super Bowl surprise?
The playoffs are swiftly coming into view and the favourites to lift the Lombardi Trophy are clear but let’s not be too hasty in crowning Kansas City, Pittsburgh or New Orleans just yet. The postseason’s expansion to 14 teams increases the pack of outsiders and the chance of an outtsider fighting all the way to February. Here are the best of the underdogs (plus a team from the NFC East) who can cap a season defined by Covid-19 with a more uplifting conclusion.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts sit atop the AFC South alongside Tennessee, with Sunday’s game against the Titans loaded with significance. The loser falls to 7-4 and potentially all the way down to ninth in the playoff race. Bank on Indy getting the job done through their devastating defense though. The NFC Northleading Packers and Aaron Rodgers forced Indy to the wall with a 28-14 lead at half-time last week but only three more points and defeat followed for Green Bay. The previous week the
Colts trailed the Titans at half-time but roared back to victory while not conceding a single point more. The ability to stop high-powered offenses in their tracks, when it matters, is a handy trait. If the Colts are already in the postseason by Week 16, Philip Rivers and company have a free run at the Steelers, too. An enticing test and one that could be crucial in delivering a first Super Bowl since 2006.
Key player: DeForest Buckner is second in the NFL with 16 QB hits for an interior lineman, one behind Aaron Donald. His presence will be missed against the Titans after he landed on the Covid-19 list.
Odds to win the Super Bowl: 18-1
Las Vegas Raiders
The only team to beat Kansas City so far this season came so very close to repeating the trick last week. It was a painful loss but the Raiders can steady the ship and stop the slide from contention by beating two weak opponents in the coming weeks, the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets. Derek Carr went toe-to-toe with MVP favourite Patrick Mahomes last week and was arguably the better passer on the day. The pair both threw three touchdowns and one pick. Carr’s interception in the dying moments was less damaging compared with Mahomes’ turnover on first down in the red zone before the half. Carr was brilliant against the Chiefs, so let’s not let defeat mute the impression he left on the game. He began by rattling off a perfect set of 11 passes with each of the first 10 resulting in a first down for a total of 160 yards. Las Vegas can win