Don’t sleep on ‘em: Three NFL teams that could be playoff bound this season
By Zach Payne, Contributor
Parity in sports is crucial.
The idea that different teams rise and fall in the standings, year after year, is what makes sports entertaining. This concept gives new and different teams the chance to challenge for championships each year, and thus, keeping fans of the league engaged.
When it comes to each season in the National Football League (NFL), there is plenty of parity.
This gives fans the chance to look ahead to the future and predict what teams are due for a good season and which teams are not.
With the 2023 NFL season just around the corner, here are three teams that could make the jump to the playoffs after missing out last year.
In Rogers they trust
The New York Jets are a very popular pick to make the jump to the playoffs this season. And it’s mostly because they made the biggest splash of the offseason.
After battling a mediocre and at times, downright awful quality in their quarterbacks, the Jets took a swing at the hottest name on the market: Aaron Rodgers.
While the former back-to-back Most Valuable Player and Green Bay Packers quarterback may not be at the top of his game anymore— having just come off a season in which he threw the second most interceptions of his career (12) and the lowest quarterback rating of his career since becoming a starter (91.8)— Rodgers still provides a significant boost on paper to the Jets offence.
To go along with Rodgers, the Jets have explosive weaponry surrounding their new quarterback.
Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, Garrett Wilson, is primed for a breakout season with his ability to create separation and win routes deep down the field. Running back, Breece Hall, is bouncing back from a torn ACL but was electric on the field during his shortened rookie campaign. Joining Hall in the backfield is Dalvin Cook, who joins the Jets after being released from the Minnesota Vikings.
The newly-formed duo should offer a lot of splash plays from the backfield, which will ease the load on Rodgers’ shoulders.
On the other side of the ball, The Jets have one of the better defensive units in the NFL. Led by Defensive Rookie of the Year, Sauce Gardner, star defensive lineman, Quinnen Williams, and plenty of depth to go around, the Jets defence should once again be top-10 in the NFL.
If their offence clicks the way it is anticipated to, the Jets should contend for not just a playoff spot, but an American Football Conference (AFC) East Division title.
Pittsburgh, Picketts, playoffs?
Certainly not a ‘sexy’ pick, but the Pittsburgh Steelers remain in the playoff picture after missing out on the ‘dance,’ last season. With stellar defence, led by arguably the best edge defender in the League, T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh is always tough to play against.
What held them back last season was the offence, led by rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett. After taking the starting job from Mitch Trubisky, Pickett had an up-and-down year.
Heading into his second year in Pittsburgh, there’s no competition.
With a nice supporting cast of Najee Harris, Dionte Johnson, and popular breakout pick George Pickens, this is Pickett’s team and they will go as far as he takes them.
Underdogs turned Lions
After many years of futility, the Detroit Lions have become the NFL’s favourite underdog over the offseason.
After starting last season with a record of 1-6, the Lions went 8-2 down the stretch and nearly made the playoffs. With another offseason and draft class to add to the young core, both fans and media agree; this could be the year the Lions get back in the playoffs.
The foundation of the excitement stems from the offence.
Thanks to a resurgent Jared Goff in the quarterback slot and budding superstar in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit boasted a top-five offence last season. This year, after running backs, D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, found new homes elsewhere, the Lions aimed to give their ‘run game’ a boost by bringing in former Chicago Bear, David Montgomery, and rookie, Jahmyr Gibbs. With offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, returning for another season, many believe the Lions offence will be top-10 once again.
The question mark for Detroit is whether or not their defence can take a step in the right direction. Defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson had a phenomenal rookie season, notching 9.5 sacks.
But, he was the only consistent contributor.
To try and fix that issue, the Lions invested big in the draft and free agency, spending a first-round pick on linebacker, Jack Campbell, and a second-round selection on safety Brian Branch. In free agency, the Lions landed C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who will surely infuse some snarl into the secondary.
If Detroit’s defence can keep up with the offence, anything is possible in a wide-open NFC North.
