Nov 14, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) tries to run past Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (43) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals were two relatively surprising teams to make the Super Bowl last season, yet both teams exceeded expectations by making it to the big game.

While both teams look to be contenders yet again for the upcoming NFL season, NFL analytics expert Warren Sharp (of SharpFootballAnalysis.com, NBC Sports, and The Ringer) doesn’t believe either team will make it back to the Super Bowl.

He discussed the upcoming season along with various other topics in an interview with Awful Announcing’s Michael Grant that was published Monday. There, Sharp revealed that he believes a number of dark horse teams could be competing in the Super Bowl next season.

“I think the Chargers have the most talent. The only thing that will prevent this team from going to the AFC Championship game is injuries or coaching,” said Sharp.

As far as the NFC goes, he listed both the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings as teams to watch next year.

“The NFC is more wide open. I think if Trey Lance is the guy that he could be, the 49ers are a good longshot. This is a good year to take some of the longshots in the NFC. I would take flyers on the Niners or the Vikings.”

When it came down to choosing a Super Bowl champion, he ultimately went with the Los Angeles Chargers to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next season.

“The winner: the Chargers because I think they’re the best team top to bottom.”

The Chargers will certainly be a competitive team next season, but they will have to emerge from what is becoming an extremely talented AFC West next year.

The Las Vegas Raiders improved their team drastically with the addition of Davante Adams this offseason, the Denver Broncos will look entirely different with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback next year, and the Kansas City Chiefs will always be in the hunt with Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback.

It may be a situation where the division beats up on one another and nobody emerges from the regular season to be a playoff contender. But the Chargers should have as good a chance as any team to make a huge jump next year.

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About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.