By Caleb Bailey, Sports Editor
The 2015 NFL season is very young, kicking of just last weekend, but it is never too early to look at teams that could possibly go all the way to Super Bowl 50. We have the usual suspects, the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. But what about the teams that could potentially come out of nowhere?
The Buffalo Bills are looking very confident after huge offseason acquisitions in Lesean “Shady” McCoy and Percy Harvin. Head coach Rex Ryan brings a high-tempo offense that the Bills have desperately needed since the days of Jim Kelly and “wide right” field goals in the Super Bowl.
After Sunday’s seemingly dominating win over the Indianapolis Colts, a team that played for a spot in the world championship game last season, the boys from the border are looking to be a team to be reckoned with in 2015. And what’s that? Tyrod Taylor, a Virginia Tech quarterback, is actually doing well in the NFL? Take that, Michael Vick.
From one team that plays in a cold city to one that plays in a VERY cold city, the Minnesota Vikings just might have the pieces they need to compete in the NFC once again. Adrian Peterson is back after a yearlong suspension due to his involvement in a child abuse case last summer.
The team also welcomes back the dynamic 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Teddy Bridgewater. The second-year guy had easily the most successful season of any member of the 2014 draft class, so one has to believe he is looking to prove his first year was not just a fluke.
Rookie defensive back from Michigan State, Trae Waynes, also adds a huge boost the defensive backfield surely needed. The Vikings’ front seven are looking like the Purple People Eaters from the 1970s once again.
The St. Louis Rams have been long overlooked in the NFC West, which was considered the toughest division in football only two years ago. Sunday’s statement win over the two-time defending NFC Champion Seahawks is proof enough to see why this team is going to be dangerous.
If that isn’t enough, once rookie running back Todd Gurley hits the field, the Rams should be able to run over opponents like a battering ram. The Greatest Show on Turf may not have returned, but they are sure taking the right steps to bring it back.
Let’s get out of the cold part of the country and take a trip to South Beach. The Miami Dolphins are not necessarily the prettiest team in the NFL, but overlooking them may be a big mistake. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is seasoned and can certainly whip the ball around the field.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry showed off his potential in 2014 but is now proving why he should be considered a threat. The Dolphins just need an extra push on the defensive side of the ball and they may have just found it by signing Ndamukong Suh over the summer.
For some reason, the scarier teams in the NFL like to come out of the colder states, but this final team is certainly known for its mountainous terrain: the Tennessee Titans, smack dab in the Smokies.
Marcus Mariota is already providing a huge spark for his team after he went for a rookie record of four touchdowns in his first game. With all the youth surrounding him, Mariota and the Titans could be only a year or so away from being a contender, but anything can happen in the AFC South.
It’s nice to have football back, isn’t it?
