Every year in the NFL typically half of the teams that made it to the playoffs the previous season don’t make it back the next year. In 2008 seven out of the twelve teams that didn’t make the playoffs the previous season including only one returning team in the NFC (Giants). Today I’ll predict which six teams won’t be making a return to the playoffs.
Yesterday I predicted which teams have the best chance of making the playoffs that didn’t this past season. You can check it out here.
Arizona Cardinals- The Cardinals are coming off a Super Bowl appearance but that is a little misleading. The Cardinals were 9-7 in an extremely weak division and were awful down the stretch losing four of their last six games. They caught fire at the right time but they don’t have elite talent. If the 49ers put it together or the Seahawks stay healthy the Cardinals could be in trouble. The Cardinals also lost offensive coordinator Todd Haley and could still en up trading Anquan Boldin.
Carolina Panthers- The Panthers has a great season in 2008 finishing 12-4 but were bounced in the first playoff game. Jake Delhomme played awful in that game and is now a year older. Delhomme is 34 and is nearing the end of the line and if he struggles this season the Panthers have no one proven behind him. Also the Panthers are in the very competitive NFC South and will have to play the Falcons, Saints, and Bucs all twice a year. The division sent two teams to the playoffs last year but might only send one this year and the Panthers could be the odd team out.
Baltimore Ravens- The Steelers are still the top team in the division so to make the playoffs the Ravens will have to win the wild card. The Ravens lost defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and he took some players with him. Their biggest loss will be Bart Scott who some expects said was better than Ray Lewis. The Ravens failed to add receiver help for Joe Flacco and he could suffer from a sophomore slump.
Minnesota Vikings- The Vikings every year look like they could be Super Bowl Contenders but their quarterback play also hinders them. They did add Sage Rosenfels in the off season but he’s nothing to write home about. Now if they do get Brett Favre they will probably be removed form this list but as of now they don’t. Also the NFC North has drastically improved from last season. The Bears added Jay Cutler, the Packers fixed their defense, and the Lions can’t be any worse. Another factor could be the potential Starcap suspensions for the first four games of Kevin and Pat Williams.
Indianapolis Colts- The Colts have been one of the NFL’s most consistent teams over the past years but that period may be coming to an end. They are not the same team that they were a few years ago. Tony Dungy retired and replacing him will be Jim Caldwell who has no head coaching experience. The Colts also lost of a lot of long time assistants. Marvin Harrison is no longer there and while he wasn’t that good last season they are replacing him with a bunch of unproven players. Also the Jaguars could bounce back from a off year and the Texans might finally get over the playoff hump and there is also the Titans who won the division last year.
Miami Dolphins- The Dolphins surprised everyone last year when they made the playoffs following a one win season. The Dolphins had a very schedule last year but wont have that luxury this year with games against the AFC and NFC South on the schedule. The AFC East is also much improved. The Pats will have Tom Brady back, the Bills got T.O., and the Jets improved their defense. The Dolphins were also very fortunate not have any serious injuries last year. The law of averages will likely catch with them this year and if injury prone quarterback Chad Pennington gets hurt or struggles they could be in big trouble.
