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Every year, 14 of the NFL’s 32 teams make the playoffs. And on average, only about half of them return the following year. The other half are replaced, with something like six new contenders on an annual basis. It’s a true testament to the league’s parity, and perhaps the greatest argument for the existing salary cap, which requires all franchises to restock and rebuild.
As we look ahead to the 2024 season, some teams already seem primed to return to the dance after missing the postseason a year ago. Think Kirk Cousin’s Atlanta Falcons, or the rehabbing Cincinnati Bengals. But which clubs may be in danger of dropping out of the playoffs? Here’s our early rundown of six candidates to miss out on the postseason despite making it in 2023:
2023 finish: 11-6 (0-1) | Last non-playoff season: 2022
On paper, they should be even better this year, with Deshaun Watson coming off a lingering shoulder injury and Jerry Jeudy plugged in alongside Amari Cooper out wide. The defense also remains legit. But Watson has played just 12 games in the last two years, and he hasn’t been an above-average passer in four. Everything rides on him.
2023 finish: 12-5 (0-1) | Last non-playoff season: 2020
They’ve still got elite play-makers on both sides of the ball, but Jerry Jones is all but forcing his quarterback-head coach duo into an ultimatum season, with Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy under pressure to make a deep run. Meanwhile Prescott’s O-line has real questions, the defense has new management, and they’ve not upgraded skill spots.
2023 finish: 10-7 (0-1) | Last non-playoff season: 2022
This is the toughest call here, because they showed a ton of long-term potential in 2023, the breakout year for young stars like Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua and Co. But they’re still betting a lot on the availability of a now-36-year-old Matthew Stafford, who’s missed multiple starts in three of his last five seasons. New…
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/projecting-six-nfl-playoff-teams-primed-to-miss-cut-in-2024-buccaneers-steelers-could-lose-their-spots/
Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2024-04-04 15:33:29
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