by 5 Teams That MISSED the Playoffs Last Season That Will MAKE the Playoffs This Season
There have been quite a few offseason changes in the NFL. There will undoubtedly be changes in the standings and we will see new teams in the playoffs than we did last year.
I have come up with 5 teams that I believe have the best chance at making the playoffs in the upcoming season and I have pretty high confidence in these picks. The teams will be listed 5-1; however that is purely just to number the teams and has no value in my list.
The list came down to 2 AFC teams and 3 NFC teams, as the NFC is more wide open. Let’s get into the list:
(*All stats according to ESPN)
- Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are coming off of an 8-8 season having missed the playoffs by 3 games. The Raiders definitely have a playoff-caliber roster. With a Josh Jacobs-Kenyan Drake backfield and a WR tandem of Henry Ruggs III, John Brown, and Hunter Renfrow. The Raiders have no shortage of options on their offense. On the other side of the ball, the Raiders actually have a formidable defense. They have many young starters (25 year old avg.) and also brought in former Packer and Charger defensive back, Casey Hayward. His veteran presence will surely help this team. The Raiders have made enough noise for me to believe they can make the playoffs this season.
- Los Angeles Chargers
Both of the teams I chose in the AFC are in the same division, which didn’t happen on purpose. I noticed that only after I chose all 5 of my teams. Nonetheless, I stuck with my gut and held firm on the Chargers and Raiders grabbing two wild-card spots because the Chiefs will have clinched the AFC West by Week 13.
All jokes aside, the Chargers have the real deal at QB in Justin Herbert along with a very deep RB core with a player such as Austin Ekeler that can both catch and run the ball very well. Along with a 29-year old Keenan Allen who has been one of the more underrated players in the league for the past few seasons, averaging 100 rec. 1,195 rec. yards and 6.5 TDs since 2017. That is pure consistency out of a #1 WR. I could see the Chargers going out and winning at least 9-10 games this year, as long as they can hold their leads and win close games.
- Arizona Cardinals
Now this pick I feel most confidently about. The Cardinals have made several key moves this offseason and put themselves into a “win now” mode. The Cardinals already had one of the better offenses in the league with Kyler Murray, Christian Kirk, and the best receiver in football in DeAndre Hopkins. They have also added RB James Conner, and former best receiver in the league in A.J. Green. The offense has weapons all across the field and should have no issues driving the ball and scoring points.
The defense has also made huge improvements with the addition of 3x Defensive Player of the Year, J.J. Watt, as well as 2x Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Butler. The Cardinals have a tough schedule, however they will also have one of the tightest division races and I can certainly see the Cardinals coming out on top in their division.
- Minnesota Vikings
The last several years have been very up and down for Vikings fans. We saw the Vikings make it to the Conference Championship in 2018 only to follow with a mediocre 8-7-1 season. They even won a playoff game in 2020….only to follow with another mediocre 7-9 season.
However, the Vikings have one of, if not the best receiving corps in the NFC North in Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen; and Dalvin Cook has given you back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Although the defense is not comparable to those of recent memory they still have some key players that can step up when needed such as LB’s Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, CB Patrick Peterson, and safeties Xavier Woods and Harrison Smith. If the Vikings can start strong this season, they could end up in the postseason.
- New York Giants
Maybe my more “outlandish” pick, but the 2021 New York Giants are making the playoffs. They have one of the most talented rosters in the wide-open NFC East and historically may only need a .500 season to secure their spot. Bringing in Kenny Golladay was a massive improvement to this roster and undoubtedly their best move of the offseason. If healthy, Golladay will be their go-to receiver. The additions of TE Kyle Rudolph and CB Adoree’ Jackson will also be a huge help and the impact that Saquon Barkley will have returning in the backfield cannot be stated enough.
Looking at the schedule, the Giants have a legitimate shot at starting the season 3-0 with two home games against Denver and Atlanta and a road game in Washington sandwiched in between. Although I’m not fully convinced that QB Daniel Jones is the long-term guy for this team, the Giants have made enough moves to be mentioned among NFC East winners this season.
