Seven non-playoff teams from last season that could make jump in 2024: Bears, Jets primed to end long droughts

Parity has been the theme of the NFL over the last several decades, as the league typically has a fair share of new playoff teams from one season to the next. Roughly half of the teams from the 2023 playoff field will be back in 2024, as new division winners and tougher schedules play a role in teams returning. 

Six new teams entered the postseason from 2023 that didn’t make the field in 2022. The year prior (2022) saw seven new teams that made the postseason that didn’t make it in 2021. The 14-team playoff format has opened the floodgates for even more parity in the league.

What seven teams have a shot at entering the postseason picture and competing for a Super Bowl in 2024? There are quite a few candidates that could turn the corner and give their franchise meaningful football in January. 

The Falcons were certainly aggressive this offseason in their pursuit of the NFC South title, starting with signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. They signed Darnell Mooney and traded for Rondale Moore, adding to an offensive room that already has Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts — and one of the best offensive lines in football. 

While the offense should score points with Zac Robinson calling the plays, Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake will be in charge of the defense that improved in points allowed per possession from 29th in the NFL (2.27) to 15th (1.86).

The Falcons offense is banking on Cousins rebounding from that Achilles injury and being the quarterback that carried the Vikings offense for six years. The end result is hopefully snapping a seven-year playoff drought. 

Chicago had to keep pace with its counterparts in the NFC North, with the Detroit Lions being a Super Bowl contender and the Green Bay Packers trending that way. The Bears scored big in their 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers, securing the rights to draft Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall while…

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Author : Jeff Kerr

Publish date : 2024-06-14 15:39:15

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