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5 Dark horse NFL teams to challenge Buccaneers for 2022 Super Bowl

By Cody Williams

Oct 4, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Dolphins, NFL. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Super Bowl 2022 dark-horse NFL contender No. 3: Miami Dolphins

It feels like forever ago that everyone was expecting the Miami Dolphins to be one of the worst teams in NFL history as we entered the 2019 season. Of course, that didn’t happen. Head coach Brian Flores flexed his muscles as a first-timer at the position and pushed the team to win five games on the season. And the progression continued.

Despite the in-house quarterback carousel between veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins proved to be one of the best defensive teams in the league while developing on offense still, both in terms of the skill positions and the offensive line. The result was a 10-win season that saw them just miss the playoffs.

Now they enter an offseason with endless possibilities. They’re another team that has been connected to a possible Deshaun Watson trade. But even if they have other plans, they still can trot out a top-five pick at quarterback with Tua and have two first-round picks to add offensive weapons and further protection in the trenches.

Flores has more than proven that he’s the right man to bring the Dolphins back to relevance and they have been on a starkly upward trajectory since his arrival. As they have nothing but opportunities to improve the roster, they could make an even bigger leap next season.

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