NOLA Saints ready to "shock" the league in 2022

Armed with an electric offense this year, the New Orleans Saints have the potential to shock the league as they embark on their redemption season.

In 2021, the Saints were one game away from making the postseason, but even if they had eked into the playoffs, they likely wouldn't have survived for long.

This season, the team got upgraded with a brand new receiver unit, a more stable offensive line, and solid defensive pieces and look more like serious playoff contenders. After stringing together some of their worst offensive performances in 2021, NOLA is back and ready to roll.

CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani listed five teams that could shock the league this season and included the Saints along with a certain NFC South rival.

"Some may see this as a non-serious stat since he started just seven games last year before injury, but Jameis Winston had the fourth-best win percentage among all Week 1 starting quarterbacks last year. Throw in the versatile Alvin Kamara to go along with the revamped passing game, and this team is set to shock."

- Jordan Dajani

NOLA Saints are touted to surprise the league this season and make a victorious comeback

Gone are the likes of Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian at quarterback. Hill has since transitioned into a tight end role, and Jameis Winston will retake his starting spot under center.

The Saints aren't the only ones projected to enjoy a successful 2022 season, though. The Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals also could see huge leaps in improvement based on their respective offseason acquisitions.

And, according to Dajani, the Carolina Panthers as well.

Carolina recently bested New Orleans in a set of preposterous NFC rankings, but they apparently get a nod here because of new addition Baker Mayfield.

Both Mayfield and Winston share a few traits in common, and the two former first-round picks will duel it out in two intense rivalry matchups in the NFC South. Of the two, we'd argue Winston has the better track to success given his fit in New Orleans.

Either way, the Saints and the Panthers are touted as two highly underrated sleepers in 2022. Who will come out on top?