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THE MOJ: Continued surprises are what makes the NFL must-watch sports

Experts from around the league share their takes on the season害羞草研究所檚 most unexpected developments
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Green Bay Packers害羞草研究所 Aaron Rodgers reacts after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers害羞草研究所 Arik Armstead during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

One of the selling points with the National Football League is to expect the unexpected.

There is a reason why 害羞草研究所極n Any Given Sunday害羞草研究所 is such a popular catchphrase when describing what can happen in the league.

Upsets occur every weekend but they害羞草研究所檙e have been some shocking results when it comes to the body of work for some teams over the course of the first 12 weeks.

So who are the surprise teams of the NFL this year?

Looking at the Vegas over/under win totals, there are quite a few. Green Bay (11; 4-8), Tampa Bay (11.5; 5-6), Denver (10; 3-8) and the Rams (10.5; 3-8) are all under-achieving.

Meanwhile, Seattle (5.5; 6-5), Philadelphia (9.5; 10-1), the Jets (5.5; 7-4) and the Giants (7, 7-4) are all exceeding expectations.

We decided to ask some our favorite NFL insiders and analysts on their picks for surprise teams as the season heads into the stretch drive.

害羞草研究所淔or me, it害羞草研究所檚 the Jets and Giants regardless of what happens with the postseason. They have already won more games than people expected. As for disappointing teams, the Rams, Broncos and Packers. The common thread is injuries but also aging quarterbacks who are showing they can害羞草研究所檛 carry a team like they once did,害羞草研究所 said NFL on Fox play-by-play man Chris Myers.

If the Rams miss the post-season 害羞草研究所 and barring an Act of God they will 害羞草研究所 it will mark the 17th time a defending Super Bowl champion has missed the playoffs the following year.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 surprised how bad the Rams and Broncos are. I thought there would be a drop-off from the Super Bowl for the Rams but not to this extent. The Broncos are actually more concerning because it looks like Russell Wilson has lost it,害羞草研究所 said Ross Tucker of Westwood One Radio and a regular with 害羞草研究所楧onnie and Dhali害羞草研究所 on CHEK TV.

NFL analyst Joe Theismann, still basking in the glory of watching his former CFL team the Toronto Argonauts win the Grey Cup, has been stunned by the success of the Seattle Seahawks.

害羞草研究所淓veryone thought when Russell Wilson left, there wouldn害羞草研究所檛 be anything left there but Geno Smith has sort of taken the bull by the horns. He害羞草研究所檚 done a terrific job running that offense. Each week you see him perform at a very, very high level and Kenneth Walker III has given them a running game again,害羞草研究所 said Theismann, who along with Joe Kapp is the only individual to be the starting quarterback in a Grey Cup as well as a Super Bowl.

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e won a lot of close games and they害羞草研究所檙e finding ways to win. They害羞草研究所檙e not being blown out of any game -even the most recent one against the Raiders. It害羞草研究所檚 a team that can score. It害羞草研究所檚 also a team that has to get better on the defensive side of the ball at times.害羞草研究所

Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network looks at a team that he knows rather well having done the colour on TV for their pre-season games and picks them as his surprise team of the year.

害羞草研究所淧hiladelphia. You have a second-year starter at quarterback in Jalen Hurts who is playing like an MVP. You also have a second-year head coach (Nick Sirianni) who is getting it done. They have been very consistent 害羞草研究所 as consistent as any team in this whole business. No one saw them going 10-1,害羞草研究所 said Baldinger, who has also been shocked by with what害羞草研究所檚 happened with Aaron Rodgers and company in Green Bay.

害羞草研究所淚 never saw that (Green Bay害羞草研究所檚 4-8 record) happening. Defensively, they害羞草研究所檝e been horrible. They have had these stretches where they just can害羞草研究所檛 hit the deep ball. They have been able to run the ball well against certain teams but they just haven害羞草研究所檛 been able to make the big play when they need it,害羞草研究所 said Baldinger.

Another team that should draw consideration is the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys were expected to win at the start of the season as Vegas had their over/under win total at 10 and they currently sit at 8-3 but it害羞草研究所檚 how they have won.

When Dallas lost starting quarterback Dak Prescott after their season-opening defeat to Tampa Bay, most thought the Cowboys would be hard-pressed to have any success. Instead, the Cowboys went 4-1 without Prescott, riding their defence along the way while Cooper Rush provided consistent play at quarterback in place of the injured Prescott.

The NFL has provided plenty of surprises this season but the best part is that there is more to come.

Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob 害羞草研究所渢he Moj害羞草研究所 Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at or your local Black Press Media website.



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