Fansided

5 NFL teams that could be surprise Super Bowl contenders

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos and David Blough #10 of the Detroit Lions watch the play during a game at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos and David Blough #10 of the Detroit Lions watch the play during a game at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images
Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images /

3. Cleveland Browns

It’s a franchise that currently has the distinction of owning the league’s longest current playoff drought. But the Cleveland Browns are a very talented football team on both sides of the ball. Their strength comes on offense, and their newest sideline leader Kevin Stefanski recently ran the attack of the Minnesota Vikings.

There are also a lot of positives when it comes to new defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who has made his mark around the NFL. Yes, the team hasn’t posted a winning season since 2007 and is in a division with the club that owned the best record in the NFL in 2019. But the Browns also put a whooping on the Ravens in Baltimore a year ago and snapped a long losing streak to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The third year could be the charm for Baker Mayfield, and Stefanski has liked what he’s seen so far from his young quarterback (via Pete Smith of Browns SI.com). There’s running back Nick Chubb, wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry and new tight end Austin Hooper. The offensive line has been bolstered at the tackle spots, and defensive end Myles Garrett, who just got paid, leads a unit that can get after the quarterback. Could this be the year the Browns not only end the playoff drought but make it to the “Big Game?”

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