5 Teams That Missed The Playoffs But Have A Chance Next Year

It’s not uncommon for a team to barely miss the playoffs and then in the next season making it to the playoffs. This year the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens all made the playoffs this year and missed the playoffs last year. In 2012 the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and San Diego Chargers all missed the playoffs, but made the playoffs in 2013. So missing the playoffs and then making the playoffs the next year is rather common. There are 5 teams that didn’t make the playoffs this year that have a good shot at making it to the playoffs next year.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles just missed the playoffs this year. At one point this year the Eagles were considered the frontrunners to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Then on Thanksgiving the Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys to move to (9-3) on the season. Many thought they were well on their way to clinching the NFC East, but they dropped 3 games in a row. They won their last game of the season to finish (10-6), but still missed the playoffs. If the Eagles can play how they played the beginning of the season they have a good chance of making it to the playoffs next year.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints never seemed to get on a steady roll. Their defense finished 31st in total defense. The defense gave up an average of 26.5 points a game. Their offense tried to keep them in the game as they were the number 1 offense in football. The injuries piled up for the Saints on offense. Star running back Mark Ingram and tight end Jimmy Graham all missed time, along with up and coming wide receiver Brandin Cooks who was lost for the season after week 10. If the Saints can improve their defense this time could make it back to the playoffs.

Houston Texans

The Texans main problem was they were lacking the star quarterback. The Texans had 4 different quarterbacks take a snap for them this year; Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, Ryan Mallett and Tom Savage. If the Texans can get a reliable quarterback to go with running back Arian Foster and wide receivers Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins the team could go a long way. On defense they will get back injured first round pick Jadeveon Clowney to go along with JJ Watt on the defensive line next year.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a good defense as they finished 7th on the year. The offense held them back this year. Quarterback Alex Smith threw 18 touchdowns on the season; none of those touchdowns went to a wide receiver. For the Chiefs to make the playoffs Smith needs to get the wide receivers more involved.

San Francisco 49ers

Many thought the 49ers would make it back to the playoffs again this year as they went to 3 straight NFC Championship games. The relationship with the niners and former head coach Jim Harbaugh went south before the season started. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick didn’t play as well as he has in the past. For the 49ers to make it back to the playoffs Kaepernick must get back to the player he was when he led the 49ers to the NFC Championship games. Also a new coach could help improve the play of the team.