Thursday 8 September 2016 23:06, UK
Leicester City finishing the 2015/16 season as Premier League champions is one of the most surprising and amazing feats in sporting history.
Priced at 5,000/1 before the season started, Claudio Ranieri’s team proved all the doubters wrong and clinched the top prize in English football. But it begs the question: is there a team in the NFL that could shock the world and lift Super Bowl 51?
To qualify as a 'Leicester', the following criteria were considered:
Perennial underdog
Having spent the majority of this millennium in the second tier of English football, Leicester were not considered remotely likely to challenge for honours last season. For an NFL equivalent, this removes regular playoff attendees.
Despite salary caps and the NFL draft trying to keep all franchises even, there is certainly a disparity between the top teams and those trying to make the leap.
Attack over defense
It look Leicester 10 games, and the offer of the manager buying pizza, to keep a Premier League clean sheet last year. At the other end, Jamie Vardy and co. were second in goals per game and fifth in dribbles per game.
Equating this to the NFL, we’re looking for a team who worry less about their defense, going all out to outscore their opponent. Creativity and a strong running game also important.
New coach
After parting company with Nigel Pearson just before the season started, Leicester brought in Ranieri. Having not worked in England since 2004, the move was met with underwhelming reviews.
A team with a new coach and not too much hope? There are a few of those in the NFL at the moment.
Underrated team quality
The most important part of the Leicester City story was the team dynamic and how they gelled together as underdogs. With very few stars at the start of the season, the team grew together, with each player doing their part to achieve a goal greater even than their imaginations.
The contenders?Teams such as the Dolphins and Giants were in contention, but both teams had too many superstars to be under the radar. Trying hard to stick to the parameters, and attempting to predict the unpredictable, one team stood out beyond others as a potential underdog story.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New head coach? Tick. Dirk Koetter has been promoted from offensive coordinator and the team is already familiar with his mantra. He is a hard-working coach who demands the most from his players and isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
As a former offensive coordinator, he also ticks the ‘attack-minded approach’ box. This team will look to outscore their opponents with one of the best young quarterbacks in Jameis Winston.
Moving into his second season, Winston’s rookie-year numbers were actually better than those of Andrew Luck. His ability to read the field and find receivers gives him the edge and as he develops his decision making, the Bucs will see improvement on the scoreboard.
The talent surrounding Winston is going to be where this outlandish prediction falls or flies. Third-year wide receiver Mike Evans is coming off a poor year where he led the league in drops (15), and touchdowns went from 12 in 2014, to just three last year. However, he still collected 1,200 yards and, if Vincent Jackson can stay healthy, the team could compete in the air.
The running game is strong in Tampa, with Doug Martin and Charles Sims both talented backs. The Bucs will look for a bigger contribution from tight end Cameron Brate, whilst hoping that Austin Seferian-Jenkins can get a handle on the playbook and become an important asset.
The biggest worry for this team is that there is very little depth behind the starters. Like Leicester, they will need to find favour and avoid injury to have any chance of making the playoffs, let alone winning the Super Bowl.
At 66/1 with Sky Bet, the Bucs are not quite as good value as Leicester were last year. It would also take all the right pieces to fall into place. But it wouldn’t be a bold prediction if it was obvious, right?
