You picked the most overrated and underrated NFL teams

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Good morning! Pay homage to the Honey Badger today.

Feedback Loop: Sorry, Packers

Yesterday’s Pulse Poll gave me exactly what I wanted: a natural enemy for Pulse readership and a team to bet on (metaphorically, of course). Let’s start with the team you chose to antagonize:

I don’t know what I expected from this one, but it wasn’t this. We gave you the top 10 teams in our latest Power Rankings and asked you to pick one as most overrated … and 34 percent of you chose the Packers, ranked No. 5. Two quick thoughts: 

• There is plenty of pressure in Green Bay, where incoming team president Ed Policy has declined to extend the contracts of both coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst, who both have two years left on their deals. It could be a make-or-break season for a team playing in arguably the NFL’s toughest division. Though remember this team went 11-6 last year.
  
  
• And there may be reason for doubt, even outside of the above sentiment. As Vic Tafur noted in his win totals predictions, the Packers entered this offseason needing a pass rusher and a No. 1 receiver. They acquired neither. Spoiler alert: Vic predicted the under on wins. 

I can see the outline of logic for the rest of our candidates above, but nothing came close to the Green Bay angst. Let’s move on to our underrated teams:

Hello, Denver. This was a closer vote, as you can see, but we anoint the Broncos as The Pulse’s underrated dark horse. I’m sure they’ll crater immediately. 

• In all seriousness, there’s juice here. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix led the team to a playoff berth last year, and “monstrous” additions this offseason have people in Denver thinking about rings. Nix should improve in Year 2 under coach Sean Payton. Patrick Surtain II could win another Defensive Player of the Year. Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen are awesome. So on and so forth. 

Allow me to cast doubt on your second-most underrated team, the Cincinnati Bengals, on vibes alone. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase can power any offense to three touchdowns a game, but ongoing feuds with both your star pass rusher and your first-round pick scream trouble to me. 

A final note: Many of you wrote in pleading with us to include the Buccaneers, who just missed our arbitrary cutoff of 15 teams from those Power Rankings (they’re No. 16). We’ve already established The Pulse as in on the Bucs. Elsewhere: The Athletic Football Show picked the player arguably facing the most pressure. Watch.

Thank you, as always, for voting. Onward:

News to Know

Venus’ big day
Venus Williams won her first-round match at the Citi Open yesterday over 23-year-old Peyton Stearns, the world No. 35, in straight sets. It is an incredible achievement for the 45-year-old Williams, who hadn’t won a WTA match since 2023. She’s looked good in both doubles and singles now, and she hopes to compete in the U.S. Open later this summer. Also on the old-athlete circuit: Rich Hill, also 45, started last night for the Royals, his 14th team (which ties a record).

Parsons baffled by Cowboys strategy
Micah Parsons is at Cowboys training camp despite an ongoing contract dispute, but was direct about his communication (or lack thereof) with the team as he seeks a new deal. Parsons, the star rusher in the final year of his rookie contract, emphasized he wants to stay a Cowboy. I also don’t understand how the Cowboys operate like this. Jon Machota tried to give us some answers.

Marte loses $400K in burglary
Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte said burglars stole approximately $400,000 worth of items from his home last week during All-Star festivities, just before Marte played in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. No one was home during the break-in, thankfully, but Marte still (understandably) seems shaken by the incident. It’s the latest in a string of burglaries at the homes of pro athletes. Read more here.

More news

• Two NFL injury updates: Stefon Diggs is a full participant in practice, while Matthew Stafford is working on the side as he deals with back soreness.
  
• Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement after 12 seasons. Pardon me while I weep over a perfect Louisiana athlete.
  
• Rich Eisen will take over ESPN’s noon radio slot, sources told The Athletic. He’ll compete with coworkers, somehow, too.
  
• ACC commissioner Jim Phillips wants everyone to give the NCAA revenue-sharing model a chance before making conclusions. College football isn’t patient, my guy.
  
• Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said he empathizes with former Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost, who had some sharp words for his alma mater earlier this offseason. I actually thought Rhule’s comments were great.
  
• Mexican soccer legend Chicharito caused strife after posting sexist comments online. More in our full report.
  
• NWSL’s new franchise in Denver has picked a name: the Summit. See the crest here.