5 NFL teams that will surprise in 2018

Which NFL teams are going to be darlings in 2018? Here are five that could follow the ways of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills this time around.

Every year, declarations are made before the season starts, and then everybody (including yours truly) ends up looking like a damn fool. Who would have believed that the Jaguars would be mere minutes from the Super Bowl, or that the Bills would finally break through and reach the playoffs after being accused of tanking in August?

This season, there will be a solid dozen teams counted out before the campaign begins. The Cleveland Browns? No shot. The Arizona Cardinals? Better luck next year. The New York Jets? Well, you get the point.

But here are five teams expected to go quietly into the night that could threaten for the playoffs in 2018.

5. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts finished in last place of the AFC South with a 3-13 record a year ago, but there is hope. Andrew Luck is reportedly getting closer to finally returning after missing all of 2017 with a shoulder injury. If he can get back on the field, the Colts are immediately a threat in a division with more questions than answers.

Nobody is here to argue in favor of Indianapolis’ general roster. The Colts have a long way to go before players 2-53 on the roster are competitive with other top-end teams, but there is reason to believe that with a healthy Luck, Indianapolis could push for the playoffs in a weak AFC.