Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching, and fans are set for a bit of a rematch. The collective groan from Indiana residents is deafening as the Patriots find themselves back in the sport’s biggest game. That is the bad part. The potential upside is watching Sam Darnold take the Seahawks to the Super Bowl and wondering if Daniel Jones might be able to do the same for the Indianapolis Colts.
While the two men are not identical, they have taken somewhat similar paths in their NFL careers. Both were taken early in the first round, drafted to a New York team, struggled mightily, and have bounced around the league. Darnold finally found success in his first year with the Vikings, but after putting together a great season with a few bumps, it ultimately ended disappointingly with a first round exit. Jones, too, started off his redemption season strong, but it dissolved and ended in injury. A year after Darnold fizzled out in the Wild Card round, he has his team one win away from a championship. Could Jones do the same?
The answer is yes, but with a caveat. Jones could probably put up numbers close to Darnold but would need some help. Jones doesn’t have a Jaxon Smith-Njigba who put up almost 1,800 yards and 10 touchdowns. He does have Jonathan Taylor, but having a stud of a receiver goes a long way too. Darnold was blessed to go from Justin Jefferson to Smith-Njigba. Additionally, the Seahawks boast one of the top defensive units in the league. More turnovers and shorter opposing offensive drives go a long way. The Colts are a far cry from a defensive juggernaut. Look no further than the 49ers game for proof of that.
A championship season has luck and good fortune behind it. A solid roster is one thing, but everything has to come together at the right time. The Giants beating the undefeated Patriots doesn’t happen the other 99 times. Things were perfect, and even the hottest teams can stumble. Can Daniel Jones take the Colts to the Super Bowl and replicate what Sam Darnold has done? Absolutely. Doesn’t mean it will be easy or ever occur. Then again, it doesn’t mean it couldn’t.
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