NFL insider believes teams should be watching out for the Packers, Dolphins

We know the teams that are likely going to be contenders in the NFL next season, regardless of if they’re from the AFC or NFC. However, who are some franchises that could surprise us this fall? Mike Garafalo says look no further than the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins.

Garafalo shared his insight on Green Bay and Miami in a segment of ‘The Rich Eisen Show’ this week. As far as the Packers, he knows many are overlooking them for no other reason than the switch from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. Even so, he says to be careful in expecting the cheeseheads to just up and disappear.

“A lot of folks are telling me that you guys are not showing enough respect to the Green Bay Packers. Because we have our doubts about whether you can move on from a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback,” Garafalo said. “That is one team that I have been told (to) expect them to be competitive.”

“This notion that they’re just going to fall off a cliff, especially with Matt LaFleur who’s an excellent head coach? That’s the one I’ve been coached up to keep talking about. And (been told) you’ll look smart once the quarterback plays well,” said Garafalo.

From there, he focused on the Dolphins as a darkhorse contender in the AFC East and AFC in general. Although New York and Buffalo have gobbled up most of the offseason headlines, Garafalo says to not ignore the buzz that he’s hearing out of The 305.

“Over in the AFC? Now this team is being talked about. But so many people are impressed with Mike McDaniel and what the Dolphins are doing. The talent they have on the roster,” Garafalo said. “I know we’re focused on the Jets so much and, certainly, the Buffalo Bills. I guess you could say we’re not talking enough about the Dolphins. But they get enough run as well.”

The Packers and Dolphins are in different places as franchises. For Green Bay, they’re figuring out how to take their first steps without a top-tier, proven quarterback starting for them since before the 1990s. As for Miami, they’re attempting to take their own next step after reaching for the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

Either way, though, these are the teams that the NFL world shouldn’t be overlooking as competitors this fall according to Garafalo.

“If you’re talking about different calibers and different levels? I don’t know that we’re looking at Green Bay as a Super Bowl candidate. But that’s a team that, maybe, could be thrust into playoff contention,” said Garafalo. “(And) I’m putting the Dolphins in my playoff possible teams that could thrust themselves even higher into that Super Bowl caliber conversation.”