2015 NFL Predictions: Dark-Horse Super Bowl Picks Certain to Surprise

Some teams will come into the 2015 NFL season with high expectations, but all 32 squads have high hopes and dreams of winning a Super Bowl.

The New England Patriots have the ability to defend their title, while both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts are threats in the AFC. In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks are the clear favorites, while the Dallas Cowboys remain a top team to watch.

Still, there is always plenty of parity within this sport, and there are plenty of other teams capable of surprising the preseason favorites. These teams could surpass expectations and, if things go well, possibly take home a Super Bowl title.

Arizona Cardinals

Matt York/Associated Press

While it's difficult to sleep on a team that reached the playoffs last season, most don't seem to grasp how good the Arizona Cardinals can be this year.

Head coach Bruce Arians led this squad to an 11-5 record in 2014 thanks mostly to a defense that ranked fifth in the NFL in points allowed. The offense had plenty of talented skill players, such as Andre Ellington, Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown, but it couldn't do much after quarterback Carson Palmer and then backup Drew Stanton went down with injuries.

The good news is Palmer is healthy going into this year, per ESPN's Stephania Bell:

Meanwhile, the team's major problem last season, the offensive line, is also much-improved. The organization added free-agent guard Mike Iupati, drafted tackle D.J. Humphries in the first round and should finally have a healthy Jonathan Cooper at guard. 

Pro Bowl left tackle Jared Veldheer has high hopes for this unit, per Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com:

"

I think we can be one of the most dominating left sides in the NFL. I hope they call it our way when it’s crunch time, because I know we can do it. I know we can roll a guy off the ball. We have a lot of weight, a lot of power between each other, and we’re the kind of guys that like that.

Our expectations are high. Nothing short of greatness is going to be OK with us.

"

With an elite defense and an offense that should be miles better than last year, the Cardinals could be a top team in the league this year.

San Diego Chargers

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers suffered from a lack of balance last season. Philip Rivers had a great season under center and led the 10th-best passing attack in the league, but the running game was nowhere to be found and finished 30th in rushing yards.

Enter first-round pick Melvin Gordon, who earned some praise along with other teammates from Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com:

Gordon led college football last season with an incredible 2,587 rushing yards and has all the tools to succeed in the NFL and make this a quality two-dimensional offense.

On the defensive side of the ball, San Diego has become one of the few teams capable of slowing down the pass. The secondary was a major weakness two years ago, but safety Eric Weddle and cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett should create one of the better units in the league. After allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards per game in 2014, things won't get any easier for opponents this year.

The AFC West will be tough, but the Chargers have the talent across the board to make a deep run.

Houston Texans

Patric Schneider/Associated Press

This is a bit of a long shot, but doubting J.J. Watt is always a bad idea. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year will lead a unit that could be one of the best in the NFL.

Not only is Watt dominant in his own right with his ability to generally disrupt the opposing offense on every play, but he will have a lot of help this year. Veteran Vince Wilfork will join him on the defensive line, while second-year player Jadeveon Clowney should be healthy and ready to live up to expectations.

Mark Berman of Fox 26 quoted Watt in describing the defense:

The offense will take a major hit after Arian Foster suffered a groin injury in training camp, especially without a set plan at quarterback. Whether Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett wins the starting job, he likely won't resemble an MVP candidate.

Still, there are playmakers on both sides of the ball, and the squad has a chance to turn some heads at the start of the year.

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