The 2015 NFL preseason officially got underway over a week ago, but on Thursday night we enjoyed our first multi-game night of the year. Friday night turns right back around to deliver the very same entertaining lineup, albeit with a whole new slate of story-lines and position battles.

Last night was about Johnny Manziel and Ameer Abdullah, but why should fans tune in to watch preseason games on Friday night? Let’s break down the five things you’ll want to watch for:

Rookie Debuts

The Marcus Mariota era officially gets underway for the Tennessee Titans, who will put their franchise passer up against the Falcons in Atlanta on Friday night. Tennessee could go either way as far as playing time is concerned, as Mariota could definitely use the experience but the team also probably wants to protect it’s prized rookie. That being said, any amount of action will be good for the rookie as he transitions to an NFL system. The reports out of camp have been great, but getting it done in a real, live NFL game could be another story. How he fares may be the headline that dominates Friday night’s preseason action.

Amari Cooper, T.J. Yeldon and Vic Beasley are just three other huge rookie names that should grace the field on Friday night. Cooper has reportedly already looked like a veteran and is slated to be Oakland’s #1 target in the passing game, while Yeldon is set to be Jacksonville’s lead running back and Beasley hopes to ignite a lethargic Falcons’ pass rush. All three will be fun to watch in their first NFL games.

Nick Foles Debuts With Rams

Another debut goes down in Oakland, with Nick Foles taking his first live game snaps as a member of the Rams. St. Louis traded for Foles earlier this year to get some reliability under center, yet they still don’t know for sure if they got it. Foles could play up to a quarter as he and the offense try to get into a positive groove.

Broncos vs. Seahawks

A rematch of their Super Bowl clash of two seasons ago, we’re sure to see a lot of the key starters from both sides as they rev things up for another title run. Peyton Manning could sit, but either way we can expect to see a ton of backup quarterback Brock Osweiler, who could need a big preseason to put himself at the top of the list for when Manning ultimately retires. Denver will be trying to sort out their backup running back situation here, too, with the likes of Montee Ball, Juwan Thompson and Ronnie Hillman all trying to impress.

Bills QB Battle

Matt Cassel is supposedly in the lead to win Buffalo’s starting quarterback job, but as always, we know nothing until we see the games. He’s the most experience and reliable of Buffalo’s options, but he could still get a fight out of E.J. Manuel and/or Tyrod Taylor. All three should get a chance to prove themselves for the first time in a live setting tonight.

Steelers Offense Sounds Off

After sitting out of the Hall of Fame game, there’s a strong chance we get to see a good amount of Pittsburgh’s first team studs. Ben Roethlisberger should start this game and we should also get a look at Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant and possibly even start running back Le’Veon Bell. Pittsburgh had one of the more explosive offenses in the league last year and with all of these key pieces healthy, could vie for a spot atop the league in 2015.

Got a better reason to watch Friday night’s preseason games? Let us hear it in the comments below!

The first NFL preseason game is in the books, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings faced off on Sunday night in the annual Hall of Fame game. It was a forgettable matchup with little scoring (Vikings won, 14-3) and many star players sidelined. The action figures to pick up quickly during the rest of week one’s action, though, with games being played on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Let’s slow play the anticipation as we focus specifically on Thursday night’s slate and why you should tune into some of those games:

New-Look Saints

Drew Brees and co. hit the field without Jimmy Graham or Kenny Stills as they figure to operate a more run-balanced offense. How they proceed will be key, but also how they incorporate each new piece into the offense. How C.J. Spiller is used will be fun to watch, as will be the growing roles of Brandin Cooks and Josh Hill.

Geno Ball

Geno Smith enters year three of his attempt to be a successful quarterback for the New York Jets, although early signs out of camp are that he’s finally made major progress. It will be interesting to see if that indeed is the case, and how he mixes with all of his weapons – especially new receiver Brandon Marshall.

Lions Running Backs

Joique Bell is supposed to be Detroit’s lead back this year, but he’s been held back by knee and foot issues. He probably won’t take the field on Thursday, which leaves the door wide open for rookie rusher Ameer Abdullah to inch closer to stealing the starting gig. The dynamic runner has impressed thus far in camp and a good showing on Thursday could bode well for his first year prospects. Right behind him are Theo Riddick and undrafted rookie Zach Zenner, who will both use their playing time to solidify a spot on the roster.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Tom Brady might hit the field for the Pats when New England takes on the Green Bay Packers, but all eyes will really be on Jimmy Garoppolo. With Brady currently slated to serve a four-game suspension, Garoppolo is looking like the team’s starting quarterback for the first four weeks of the 2015 season. He’ll need plenty of practice to gear up for the pressure of that role, so we can expect to see a good amount of him in the Pats’ first preseason game of the year.

RG3 vs. Johnny Football

It’s unlikely we actually see Robert Griffin III and Johnny Football both taking the field with the first team offenses, but we could see them battling each other in the same quarter. RG3 is said to be looking at “at least” a quarter of action, while Manziel will surely get about a quarter, himself. RG3 looks locked in as Washington’s starter under center, but the troubled Manziel has yet to prove his worth. How both fare will still be interesting to see when Thursday gets rolling.

Chicago’s 3-4 Defense

The Bears were a trash defensive unit the past couple of years and they’re trying to rectify that by switching to a 3-4 base defense. It could be a disaster, but we’ll get our first clean look at it and how specific pieces will be used. Safety has been an issue for a while for the Bears, so that is one key position to keep an eye on in the new system, while Jared Allen also tries out as a stand-up pass rusher on the outside. If Allen can be a hit in the new defense, he could go a long way in helping the transition be a quick success.

‘Boys Backfield

DeMarco Murray is gone so a huge story-line out of Big D this year is what is going to happen with their running backs. Joseph Randle is regarded as the tentative starter and he does have some upside after averaging 6.7 yards per carry last year. He’s unproven, though, and he’s going to be competing with the always banged up Darren McFadden. Unknown rusher Gus Johnson may be an interesting guy to keep tabs on, though, as he’s now third and line and if he looks good in preseason play could even push Run DMC.

Melvin Gordon’s Debut

Ryan Mathews is out and rookie running back Melvin Gordon is in. The former Wisconsin Badger has reportedly had some issues with blocking assignments, but he’s the most talented running back on San Diego’s roster right now and is slated for a featured role. He obviously needs to crush it in all respects, but seeing how he handles pass protection could be key in his development.

Think there is an even better reason to check out the NFL preseason games on Thursday night? Tell us it in the comments below!

The 2015 NFL season officially arrives on Sunday, August 9th, as the first game of the NFL preseason kicks off with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings going to battle in the 2015 Hall of Fame game. The starters won’t play all that much (if at all) and like all other preseason games, this means nothing, but this is still, real, live pro football we’re talking about. Why watch? Let’s discuss:

It’s Pro Football!

It’s the NFL and it’s back, folks. Do you really need more reason than that to get excited and tune in? Yes, the game doesn’t matter and the best players won’t stay in fur the duration, but the possibility of big hits, big plays and touchdowns finally exists again. The Steelers and Vikings might not be your favorite teams, but the juices will be flowing and nothing replaces that feeling of a pro football game being on TV. You won’t want to miss it. In case you’re still unsure of whether you’re sold on this particular game, though, let’s dive into a few other reasons why you have to see it.

Adrian Peterson’s Return

It’s possible “All Day” doesn’t even suit up for his first preseason game, as he’s the Vikes’ star rusher and best overall player. At 30 years old, Minny may not want to risk their best player in his first contact in over a year. Then again, they also may want to get him in there to shake off some rust. He was suspended all last season, after all, and could use a warm up game. If it happens this Sunday, you probably won’t want to miss it.

Position Battles

There is lots to see here, folks. Lots to see! The biggest one might be in Minnesota, where third year wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is still trying to find his role in the offense. He’s for now buried behind the likes of Mike Wallace and Charles Johnson, but it’s possible he could still ascend over one of them. He’ll at least compete with Jairus Wright, while any of these guys could be good for an explosive play or two on Sunday. Minnesota still has some things to figure out on defense, where Chad Greenway seems to be regressing and their cornerback situation isn’t quite decided yet. The same goes for the Steelers, who aren’t yet set at corner, themselves, and also need to see who they can trust out of Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree.

All of the Big Plays

We touched on it briefly, but this is a game that could yield a ton of big plays – and it’s the first NFL game of the preseason! Norv Turner’s vertical offense in Minnesota could go deep several times, as Teddy Bridgewater and co. try to work on their down field chemistry. All of the aforementioned Vikings receivers have big play potential, while both Adrian Peterson and backup Jerick McKinnon are home run threats out of Minnesota’s backfield. The story is much the same for the Steelers, as Ben Roethlisberger loves going deep and wideouts Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant and even rookie Sammie Coates all have the wheels to spring huge plays over the top of the defense. Add in versatile offensive weapons Dri Archer, and this could very well be the most explosive preseason game of week one.

Got another great reason to tune into the first NFL preseason game of the year? Tell us in the comments below!

The 2015 NFL season is so close we can smell it, as preseason play finally gets going with the 2015 Hall of Fame Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings on August 9th. Normally no one cares about this game or even the preseason in general, but this tells us two things: the NFL and fantasy football are back.

Most years you’d still be a month away from your fantasy football draft and meaningful NFL games, but with daily fantasy football sites offering preseason games in recent years, we’re now being introduced to a culture where preseason NFL games mean more than player development and easy money for NFL franchises. Instead, we care more than ever about the young players duking it out for a position.

Of course, as with anything fantasy-related, there is still a strategy involved. Let’s break down the key selling points if you plan on playing in any preseason fantasy football games this year:

The Game Has Changed

In case you didn’t notice, the preseason isn’t the real thing. It’s okay to admit it, but the more important thing is to embrace it. Teams are rolling out vanilla concepts, rotations will be different and play won’t be all that clean. Naturally, the way you approach what fantasy talent you want to use will change.

Fade the Starters

Due to preseason being so different, you’re going to want to fade the top star players and normal starters. They just don’t accomplish much due to sporadic playing time. For game one, the big names usually play maybe a handful of series or less. For game two they stretch out to a full quarter sometimes, and game three they can play roughly 75% of a game if they need to. But for the most part, the star players you plan on using for the real fantasy football season are pretty much useless.

Find the Gems

With the star players off the table, you have to focus on the backups that can both get a good amount of work and also actually have the talent to bust some big plays and score some touchdowns. The backup fullback shouldn’t be on your list, but that explosive rookie running back certainly should be. Quarterbacks fighting for a job or having something to prove like a Johnny Manziel could carry tons of value in every single preseason game.

Note Injuries

Starter or not, the second football season starts we start to hear about nagging injuries. Stay away from anyone who is even remotely questionable for a preseason game, as the team simply isn’t going to risk a player’s health over a game that ultimately just doesn’t matter.

Stack up on Running Backs

The best fantasy strategy for preseason games is probably going to be stacking up on running backs – especially on DFS sites that let you use three. Wide receivers are a dime a dozen and the big trick here is to find out which young runners are fighting for a role and are also quality talents. Tight ends and receivers see sporadic targets and often work with inaccurate young passers, so the most trustworthy fantasy options by far are running backs. The name of the game here is touches and if you pick your rushers right, you should get a good amount of extra opportunities with some solid backup running backs.

Think you’re ready for the big show? Find a DFS site to your liking and go compete in fantasy football preseason action. Just remember to forget all of this stuff when the real 2015 fantasy football season arrives.

NFL training camps have started for the 2015 NFL season and we’re already starting to hear about changing roles, injuries and hyperbole about young, promising talents. With the first few days in the books for a lot of teams, a good amount of news has already channeled in.

Let’s break down the latest buzz:

Roddy White Regressing

White already showed signs of regression last season, but now reportedly has had his troublesome knee drained multiple times since the end of last season. White says he’s “not worried” about the knee, but he soon-to-be 34-year old may be finally running out of gas.

Joique Bell Not 100%

The Detroit Lions drafted running back Ameer Abdullah to help their offensive backfield but they were still counting on starter Joique Bell being healthy for 2015. That still may end up being the case, but Bell is definitely not healthy to begin camp. The team placed Bell on the active/PUP list with knee and Achilles issues and can’t be excited about their top rusher being at less than 100%.

Rams Running Game

St. Louis got some good news with rookie running back Todd Gurley not being placed on the active/PUP list to start training camp. Not only does that give Gurley a shot at playing in week one, but the Rams could even get a good look at him in camp and preseason play. Despite Gurley’s rehab from a torn ACL going according to plan, the team is still far from decided on a starter. Tre Mason currently holds that role, but it will be interesting to see how things develop over the next month.

Trent Richardson Failing

The Oakland Raiders brought in veteran running back Trent Richardson as depth and possibly competition behind Latavius Murray. Their latest reclamation project hasn’t gone according to plan. Per reports, Richardson has not impressed despite dropping weight to improve his quickness.

Ryan Kerrigan Extended

The Washington Redskins didn’t have a very good defense from top to bottom in 2014. They did well to ensure one of their star defensive players would be around to help turn that around, though, as the team agreed to terms with pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan on a massive contract extension. Kerrigan was one of the few bright spots for the Washington defense in 2014, as he recorded 13.5 sacks. Kerrigan signed on for a five-year, $57.5 million pact that should give the Redskins a solid presence on at least one side of the field.

Cowboys Have a #1 RB

The Dallas Cowboys seemed to have a plan when they let star running back DeMarco Murray leave in free agency. It sounds like that plan is Joseph Randle. Dallas owner Jerry Jones “expressed confidence” in Randle’s ability to take over the lead role and suggested the team would not pursue outside sources like Ray Rice or Chris Johnson – yet.

Clay on the Inside

The Green Bay Packers started training camp with explosive edge rusher Clay Matthews once again on the inside of their defense. Matthews’ talents are arguably best used on the outside, but once switched to the inside last year, Green Bay’s defense seemed to benefit greatly from it. It will be interesting to track Matthews’ exact role in the defense, as well as the impact of it.

Breshad Perriman Starting?

The explosive rookie was seen running with the starters right away in camp, suggesting he’s already very much in the lead to start alongside veteran Steve Smith. That was probably the plan all along, but due his raw ability, few could have anticipated the jump this early.

Got more hot training camp buzz? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Training camp can be a dreaded experienced for NFL veterans, but it can also bring hope for an undrafted player to prove he belongs in the league or for young veterans to convince their franchise they are ready to make an impact. More specifically, training camp can often allow a would-be bust show everyone his failed first season doesn’t define his career.

There are quite a few players that will at least aim to turn the corner in their careers, because if they can’t, this training camp could very well be their last. Let’s take a look at several big names that haven’t lived up to the hype just yet and may need big camps to earn a guaranteed role (or even a roster spot) in 2015:

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins

Few young quarterbacks are going to be under the microscope as much as RG3, especially when it comes to projected starters. After an absolutely sensational rookie season that had him looking like a superstar, RG3 has been a shell of who we all thought he was. He’s entering year two of Jay Gruden’s system and is supposedly improving, but if his athleticism and confidence don’t both return, his run in the league as a starter could be coming to an end.

Geno Smith, QB, New York Jets

There’s no doubt Smith has shown flashes of being a solid weekly starter in his first two seasons, but horrid decision-making and turnovers have damaged his reputation. The Jets have finally surrounded him with stellar talent on offense, however, so the beleaguered passer is running out of excuses as he prepares for camp.

Johnny Manziel, QB, Cleveland Browns

It sounds crazy that a quarterback’s career could be over after exactly six quarters as a starter, but that’s the brutal reality Johnny Football could be facing in Cleveland. Already looked at as a boom or bust prospect coming into the league a year ago, laziness, cockiness and rehab have crushed any optimism surrounding the tiny passer. If Manziel is going to salvage a career in the pros, he may need to leap frog Josh McCown and win the Browns starting quarterback job in August.

Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Muscle Hamster was a beast as a rookie in 2012, and has since trended downward in horrific fashion. He deserves a mulligan for 2013, when a freak labrum injury robbed him of his health. He’s also played behind a weak offensive line throughout his career, but there’s no doubt the jury is still out on whether or not his awesome rookie run was a fluke. With Charles Sims waiting to take over behind him, Martin may have to enjoy an awesome camp to hold onto his starting job.

Bishop Sankey, RB, Tennessee Titans

Sankey was awful as a rookie in 2014, as he struggled with production and simple fundamentals. Sankey needs to put in a ton of work to hold onto the starting gig in Tennessee and already looks like a bust. If rookie running back David Cobb supplants him, he could be on his way out of the league just a year after getting drafted in the second round.

Andre Ellington, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Ellington is an extremely explosive and versatile offensive weapon, but 2014 may have shown everyone he’s not made to be a featured NFL runner. A small stature contributed to injuries and weak inside running, as Ellington played well under 100% in year two and ended the year with a paltry 3.3 yard per carry average. David Johnson was drafted to push him, and if Ellington can’t fend him off, his days as a leading man could be numbered.

Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee Titans

Hunter was supposed to bust out in 2014 due to big size and great athleticism, but inconsistency, poor quarterback play and a lacerated spleen held him back. He now has some off field issues to deal with and the team brought in several wide receivers to increase competition. If Hunter can’t beat the odds and make a huge impression in training camp, a promising career could be over before it ever really got started.

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

C-Patt stormed the league as a rookie, as he busted out several big plays in the return game and flashed ability as a receiver. That raw talent didn’t translate in 2014, when he turned out to be a bit of a bust due to an inability to master his routes and beat coverage. Shaky quarterback play was partially to blame, but even with Teddy Bridgewater improving in 2015, Patterson may be too buried with the addition of Mike Wallace to make much of an impact. If he wants to be an impact player in Minnesota, though, he may have to find a way to make it work this season.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Eifert’s gotten a raw deal through two NFL seasons. He’s played in a fairly run-heavy offense, has Andy Dalton as his quarterback and dislocated his elbow right away in week one in 2014. Then the Bengals drafted two rookie tight ends behind him and suddenly he might be facing a make-or-break season. The weird thing is Eifert is a terrific talent who could thrive in the right situation. Unless he makes it happen in 2015, though, that situation may not be with the Bengals.

Got another young veteran that could be facing a make-or-break training camp? Tell us about him in the comments below!

The 2015 NFL season is just about here, as some teams already have their rookies reporting to training camp. It’s just a matter of time before real games are being played in August, and then just one month later we’ll have games that count.

Training camp is an exciting part of the NFL season, as it breeds competition, gets the ball rolling on fantasy football talk and reminds everyone that the NFL regular season is just around the corner. With NFL training camps just now picking up and all teams hitting the practice field by August 2nd, we thought we’d take a look at the top rookies well want to be tracking:

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans

Mariota is without a doubt a top rookie to watch, as he’ll eventually engage in a semi-battle with fellow passer, Zach Mettenberger. That’s probably a losing battle for Mettenberger, but the competition could still be exciting and it could bring the best out of Mariota, as well. Mariota is the classic dual threat quarterback but has actually received a lot of praise for his command of the offense and decision-making since being drafted. If Mariota can continue making strides in his transition to a pro system, he could end up finding solid success in his first season. Seeing that transformation from day one in training camp could be a fun journey for Titans and NFL fans, alike.

Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s a similar story with fellow rookie passer Winston, who rounds out the only two strong rookie bets to start under center at the position in 2015. A very different player, Winston is less of an athlete and more of a pure game, as he can fit balls into tight windows and takes chances that can be huge for his team. He’s got great pocket presence and has the size and arm strength to tower over the line and hit any pass. Of course, Winston is also a headcase off the field and can be prone to turnovers on it. His development early on will be fun to watch as he tries to turn from a poor decision-maker into a more reliable, disciplined passer.

Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews is gone and Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver aren’t starting caliber running backs. Translation: Gordon is slated for a huge role as a rookie and could end up being one of the better rookies to hit the field. There’s no denying Gordon’s college production or his explosive ability, but he also has some work to do. Gordon will have to prove early on that he can be trusted in pass protection, both as a receiver and blocker. He’ll also have to prove he can handle the ball on a regular basis without coughing it up. If he can do those things, he could be well on his way to stardom in year one.

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Todd Gurley should be next in line here, but a knee injury should have him sitting out most of his first go at training camp. That puts Jacksonville’s Yeldon as the next RB to watch this year. Set up to be the Jags’ top running back in just his first season, Yeldon has the build and skill-set of a true featured runner. There is little to dislike about his NFL-ready game, but his offensive line was awful a year ago. Can Yeldon find success up the middle and successfully convert outside runs despite shaky blocking? We should find out early during training camp and in the preseason.

David Cobb, RB, Tennessee Titans

There are other rookie rushers to track, but few others will have a sure-fire crack at a big role right away. Cobb is probably the last realistic candidate for a big role in year one, as he’s really only behind the unimpressive Bishop Sankey. Sankey is tentatively expected to start 2015 as the Titans’ lead back, but the balanced Cobb could push him hard in camp.

Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders

No one is denying Cooper’s amazing upside, as he brings a big, athletic body and solid speed to the table as a rookie. He’s also got an NFL-ready skill-set and is probably the most polished rookie receiver in this year’s class. His main issue is that he plays for the Raiders, but after seeing what Derek Carr could do in 2014, that may no longer be such a bad thing. Cooper should impress right away and be one of the funnest rookies to monitor in camp.

Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears

If you’re looking for pure upside out of your rookie wide receiver, no one gives you more than White. A Julio Jones clone, White has amazing size, speed and ball skills. He’s a tad raw and we’ve only see this elite version of him for one year, but the sky is truly the limit for his NFL potential. He’s in a good offense with a great supporting cast, but it will be interesting to see just how long it takes for him to make an impact.

Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Agholor is another strong rookie receiver who has the size and speed to be a terror right away at the highest level. His upside is given a boost by Philly’s amazing offense and if Sam Bradford can stay healthy while returning to form, the Eagles rook may take off from day one.

Maxx Williams, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Dennis Pitta is on the shelf as he continues to rehab his second dislocated hip in two years and Crockett Gillmore is his top replacement at the moment. Cue stud rookie tight end Maxx Williams, who has the size, build and athleticism to be an absolute terror. Made in the Jeremy Shockey mold, Williams is a strong two-way tight end that could carve out a role in his first season. Tight ends don’t normally make a huge impact as rookies, but Williams may not have a choice. It will be interesting to see if he can wow the Ravens enough in camp to earn the starting nod right out of the gates in 2015.

Got a rookie you like even more heading into camp? Let us hear who it is in the comments below!

NFL training camps are just around the corner, and before you know it, the 2015 NFL regular season will be here. We have just over a month to fully prepare for the new NFL season, which includes nailing down any preseason predictions we might have. Everyone knows who the top teams are and who has the best odds to win the 2015 Super Bowl, but we often see sleeper teams come out of nowhere to make a crazy run.

Could we be in for a crazy run like that in 2015? Let’s take a look at five teams that may not look like Super Bowl contenders at first glance, but could end up surprising us all by year’s end:

Miami Dolphins (40/1 odds)

Miami is one of the more interesting sleeper teams entering 2015, as we already saw Ryan Tannehill and co. make major strides on offense and then the team went out and got disruptive defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to anchor a rising defense. If Miami is suddenly as balanced as they appear to be on paper, they could be a legit threat to storm New England’s castle and steal the AFC East crown. Regardless, they’re going to be a playoff contender in 2015 and once in, they could do some serious damage.

New York Giants (32/1 odds)

It seems all the Giants need to do is make the playoffs and they’d be a threat to win it all. They haven’t been doing that lately, but Odell Beckham Jr.’s crazy rise as a rookie last year has this offense carrying monster upside into the new season. It’s a make or break season for Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin, but there is enough here to believe in the Giants if they can make the post-season tourney. They’ll have tyo navigate a tough NFC East first, of course.

Kansas City Chiefs (40/1 odds)

Justin Houston just agreed to a monster deal to stay in KC for the next six years, so it’s fair to say a good Chiefs defense could be elite in 2015. They were already bordering on that status, as they allowed under 18 points per game and had a very stingy defense in all regards. They could be even better in 2015 and if Alex Smith can take the offense to new heights, this could be a special unit.

Cincinnati Bengals (40/1 odds)

Andy Dalton and co. keep doing it right during the regular season, as they’re either winning division titles or doing enough to sneak into the playoffs. They’ve done the latter in every season Dalton has been under center and one has to think they’ll eventually round the corner. This year just might be that year, as they’ve added some nice pieces on defense and have some solid young talent in Tyler Eifert and Jeremy Hill that could push the offense over the top. Their division is a war zone, but if they can maneuver it like they did in 2014, they’ll at least be back in the playoff mix for a shot to make a deep run.

Carolina Panthers (45/1 odds)

Carolina oddly ranks the lowest on our sleeper picks if you’re going off of the oddsmakers’ 2015 Super Bowl odds. We tend to like the Panthers, though, especially with a healthy Cam Newton leading the way. It hasn’t always been pretty, but Newton has done enough to get the Panthers to two straight NFC South division titles and last year they got to the divisional round for the second consecutive season. With an improving quarterback, a solid running game and an elite defense in tow, Carolina should be a team to watch for 2015.

Think another sleeper team belongs on our list? Tell us who it is in the comments below!