CT Sports’ dark horse Super Bowl contenders

The NFL season is approaching as the preseason games come to a close. There are conversations already surfacing about how the Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs and Bengals are clear favorites in their conferences to make the Championship game, the Super Bowl.

However, there are some dark horse candidates, otherwise known as underdogs, that can take the spotlight and make a run to the big game. 

Bersabeh Kemaw’s Prediction

My dark horse pick to win the Super Bowl LVIII are the Baltimore Ravens. As much as it pains me to say, as a Steelers fan, I do believe that they have made drastic adjustments to their team, mainly offensively, that can advance them far this season.

Todd Monken, the previous coordinator for the University of Georgia’s offense that led the bulldogs to two NCAA championships, is now the new coordinator for the Ravens offense, according to AP News. 

They just signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year deal. They were also able to draft wide receiver Zay Flowers from Boston College in the first round.

Making key changes like this to the wide receiver room will help quarterback Lamar Jackson tremendously, allowing him to move the ball more efficiently and effectively. 

Not only will he have Beckham Jr. and Flowers as part of his offense, but he will also have running backs—and potential dynamic duo—J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, who are both coming back off injuries, according to the Baltimore Ravens.

Being able to provide Jackson with weapons offensively will help him make better calls, run the ball and ultimately get the team further than the year before.

However, their offense isn’t the only thing to keep an eye out for. The Ravens have been known to have great defense in the league, and that doesn’t seem to be changing soon. 

The few defenders left on the team like defensive end Brent Urban and cornerback Daryl Worley will be able to maintain the momentum defensively, despite the loss of a few defenders, such as defensive end Calais Campbell, according to Sports Illustrated.

With that being said, the Ravens are an underdog team that have a lot of potential, which is why they are my dark horse pick for this season.

Alexis Washington’s Prediction

Super Bowl LVIII, the Dallas Cowboys will take on the win as an underdog. I know what you’re probably thinking, the Cowboys always lose the first round in the playoffs, with the help of new coaching staff and players, the Cowboys are one step closer to a ring.

The Cowboys added three new additions to the coaching staff during the off season: quarterback, running back and offensive line coach.

Veteran offensive line coach Mike Solari will coach the offensive line. Solari contributed 35 years of experience with his first start in 1987-88 with the Cowboys.

Six out of nine years Solari teams were top five in Adjusted Line Yards, According to USA Today. 

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has met his match with a new weapon, Brandin Cooks.

This duo has already made great chemistry in mini camp along with sessions in the “Dark-Yard.”

Dak already passed a deep touch-down to Cooks day two of camp, according to Sports Illustrated

“We are great, that is credit to him.” Prescott stated.

All of the starters for defense are returning with help from the former Defensive Player of the Year cornerback, Stephon Gilmore according to CBS Sports.    

The Cowboys defensive line has definitely improved and with Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and now Gilmore, this team will be unstoppable. 

Thailon Wilson’s Prediction 

The New York Jets are a good underdog to become Super Bowl LVIII Champions because of the bountiful offseason additions to the team.   

The Jets already had a bright future after adding Offensive Rookie of the Year, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and Defensive Rookie of the Year Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner in the 2022 draft class, according to the NFL.

This offseason the team went into overdrive by trading multiple draft picks for future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers to lead the offense as the quarterback. 

The four-time MVP is joining a Jets roster alongside his former Packers’ wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.

The additions of Lazard, Cobb and former Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman have completely changed the Jets receiver room culture from a room that had potential to one filled with star-power. 

The receiving game has increased, but the rushing room just added a new force of nature in perennial pro-bowler running back Dalvin Cook, according to Bleacher Report.

Adding Cook, alongside running back Breece Hall, will create a dynamic duo with a mix of power, agility and speed to the rushing game. 

With all these additions to the offense, alongside a defense that always hovers the top 15 defense range, the Jets are a team to look out for in the Wildcard.

They are in a tough division with the Bills, Dolphins and Patriots, but with how much talent the Jets have, they can sneak into the playoffs and go on a run to be an underdog contender in the Super Bowl.

Andrew McGhan’s Prediction

The Miami Dolphins are a dark horse contender to win Super Bowl LVIII. They have pro bowl caliber players on offense and defense.

The Dolphins have a high power offense coming into this season. They have arguably the best wide receiver duo in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Both players combined for 3,066 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference.

The offense is run by head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa led the league in passer rating and tied Patrick Mahomes for leading the league in Passing Touchdown Percentage last year, according to Pro Football Reference. 

The Dolphins traded for cornerback Jalen Ramsey in free agency, according to The NFL Website. 

Ramsey is a six time pro bowler and a three time first team all pro, according to Pro Football Reference.  He was also a key contributor for helping the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI.

The Dolphins have the best chance to win their division, the AFC East. The New York Jets’ offensive line is weak, the Bills did not improve this offseason and the New England Patriots are in a rebuilding phase this year.

The only concern I have for the Dolphins is the team’s overall health because Tagovailoa suffered three concussions last year, and Ramsey will likely miss half of the season due to sustaining a meniscus injury during practice. 

If the players on the Dolphins can stay healthy they have a chance to win the Super Bowl because of how much talent they have on the roster.