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5 Dark horse NFL Super Bowl contenders primed to shine in 2021

By Randy Gurzi

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NFL 2021
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 06: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to make a pass play in the first quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at SoFi Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Right now, the AFC is being dominated by the Kansas City Chiefs who have been in the Super Bowl in each of the past two seasons. The year before that, they just missed out as they lost to the New England Patriots in overtime — but that was back when the Pats had Tom Brady which suddenly feels like a lifetime ago.

With the Chiefs asserting their dominance, it’s been kind of easy to overlook other teams in the conference getting better — and even easier to overlook teams in their own division making moves. For example, the Chiefs are being penciled in as the favorites in the AFC West but the Los Angeles Chargers aren’t going to be pushovers by any means.

One of the biggest reasons to believe in the Chargers is the play of their young quarterback, Justin Herbert. The Bolts’ first pick in 2020 absolutely lit things up with 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns against just 10 picks as a rookie. And there’s no reason to think he won’t be even better in year two, especially with Los Angeles adding Rashawn Slater to help give Herbert more time in the pocket.

Add to that the hiring of Brandon Staley was head coach — who was a huge success last season as the L.A. Rams defensive coordinator — and this could end up being a very well-balanced team.

There are even some crazy theories out there about fate already deciding the Chargers will win it all this season, and they would do so in their home stadium — following the lead set by the Buccaneers.

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