As the new NFL calender year approaches (1 Viewer)

[David Yudkin]

Looking at the teams that have made the playoffs in the salary cap era, last year was the first time that at least 3 teams did not make the playoffs that had losing records the prior season. (Although 5 teams in this year's playoff group went 8-8 in 2006.)

I bring this up seemingly every year because most people will have almost all of last year's playoff teams in their 2008 predicted playoff teams.

Which 3 losing teams are most likely to make the playoffs in 2008?

2007 teams with losing records:

MIA, BUF, NYJ, CIN, BAL, DEN, OAK, KC, CHI, DET, NO, CAR, ATL, SF, STL

(We can revisit this subject the closer we get to the start of the actual season.)

Other seasons . . .

2007: WAS, TB (5 other playoff teams went 8-8 in 2006)

2006: PHI, NOS, NYJ, BAL

2005: CHI, CAR, NYG, WAS

2004: SD, ATL, PIT, NYJ

2003: BAL, KC, DAL, STL, SEA

2002: TEN, IND, ATL, NYG

2001: NE, CHI, SF

2000: DEN, NYG, PHI, NO

1999: IND, WAS, STL, DET

1998: BUF, DAL, ARI, ATL

1997: NYJ, NYG, TB, DET

1996: NE, JAX, CAR

1995: BUF, PHI, ATL

1994: NE, CLE, CHI

 

[mikel0254]

Obviously this will change after we know what happens at the draft and in free agency, but I'll give it a shot. My 3 are:

DET - This depends on MIN & GB. If Favre retires (which I think he WON'T), then that helps DET a lot. If MIN doesn't get a new QB or at least some weapons for Jackson then they will struggle (even with All Day there). I see DET focusing on their D during the draft and free agency (please insert Millen comment here), and it's possible they improve enough to take the division or wild card

CIN - Like DET, they will focus on D in the offseason. Their offense is potent enough (if Rudi regains some of his old luster) to take them into the playoffs, so if the D improves, they could be a complete package

STL - Going out on a limb here, but last year injuries KILLED them. With SJax back to health, I see it opening up a lot of opportunities for Bulger to show he still has something left to prove. Defense needs some help this offseason to make this possible

 

[Andy Herron]

It's early, but I'd have to start with Denver and New Orleans.

 

[faux_bear]

Looking at the teams that have made the playoffs in the salary cap era, last year was the first time that at least 3 teams did not make the playoffs that had losing records the prior season. (Although 5 teams in this year's playoff group went 8-8 in 2006.)I bring this up seemingly every year because most people will have almost all of last year's playoff teams in their 2008 predicted playoff teams.Which 3 losing teams are most likely to make the playoffs in 2008?2007 teams with losing records:MIA, BUF, NYJ, CIN, BAL, DEN, OAK, KC, CHI, DET, NO, CAR, ATL, SF, STL(We can revisit this subject the closer we get to the start of the actual season.)Other seasons . . .2007: WAS, TB (5 other playoff teams went 8-8 in 2006)2006: PHI, NOS, NYJ, BAL2005: CHI, CAR, NYG, WAS2004: SD, ATL, PIT, NYJ2003: BAL, KC, DAL, STL, SEA2002: TEN, IND, ATL, NYG2001: NE, CHI, SF2000: DEN, NYG, PHI, NO1999: IND, WAS, STL, DET1998: BUF, DAL, ARI, ATL1997: NYJ, NYG, TB, DET1996: NE, JAX, CAR1995: BUF, PHI, ATL1994: NE, CLE, CHI

New Orleans stands out as the most likely team to make the playoffs in 2008. They started off poorly but seemed to right the ship as the season went on. A little improvement on defense should be enough to get it done.I'lll put Buffalo as another team likely to make a strong push this season. They looked very much improved last year with young guys Marshawn Lynch and Jason Peters looking like bona fide studs. If Trent Edwards continues to develop, they wouldn't surprise anyone if they earned a wild card spot.Chicago also has a strong core and I would put them 3rd on my most likely list...Then I'd go with Carolina, but my list would end there...At the bottom of the list I would of course have Miami and Atlanta, with maybe Oakland next. These teams probably have zero shot at making the playoffs.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Buffalo

New Orleans

Denver

 

[56]

The Panthers should be much, much better with Delhome healthy.

 

[jwb]

Buffalo. And NO bounces back this year.

I also like SF to surprise people (seems there are one or two surprise teams every year). Not saying they'll be great, but 9-7 and a wildcard is not that much of a reach.

 

[sheerterror]

Homer pick of the Jets. 2006 wasn't that long ago, and the difference between 10-6 and 4-12 was several close losses and blown second half leads. The downfall of the team last year was its inadequate offensive line, and inability to stop anything on defense (although this greatly improved after the bye.) Much like most of the teams on this list, should the Jets address the weaknesses in the defense and the offensive line, they've got just as good a shot as any of the other teams 2007 losing teams to get back into the playoffs.

 

[BusMan]

I think its three teams with stable QB situations that need a boost from their defense. If Denver, New Orleans, and Cincinnati all get that boost, I could see them in the postseason. They'll replace the Titans, Redskins, and Steelers from the 2007 playoff teams.

 

[saintfool]

in no order...

buffalo - a lot depends on the QB situation but they finished 7-9 last year. they have some very good pieces.

no - if they can address the defensive side, they can compete with anyone.

cincinnati - same as NO.

 

[Texasmouth]

New Orleans- Weak division, strong team. With a few tweeks to the defense, this team could be 10-6 without question. Barring a Reggie Bush fumble on a ridiculous reverse, this team would have made the playoffs.

Denver- Another year under the belt of Jay Cutler will do wonders. This team needs some stability at RB though. Yes, Rat, we understand you can stick anyone in there and he will rush for 1000 yards, so do it and be done with it.

Chicago- All this team needs is a little healthy and a solid QB and they could be back in contention for this division. This team did beat the Packers twice last year and could easily beat the Lions and Vikings twice this year.

Baltimore- New coaching regime could spark this team to get back where it was. Cam Cameron could do wonders for Kyle Boller and get him playing the way he was projected to be able to. Billick was no offensive genius.

 

[saintfool]

Chicago- All this team needs is a little healthy and a solid QB and they could be back in contention for this division. This team did beat the Packers twice last year and could easily beat the Lions and Vikings twice this year.

i think there is a lot of uncertainty with the bears. there are concerns at QB, RB and WR just on the offensive side of the ball. the defense has to address LB and S. that's an awful lot to bite off in a single offseason.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Saints

Bears

Rams

maybe

bengals

Ravens

 

[WampusCat43]

Cincy - (homer)

Carolina, with Jake back

Saints - for the reasons above.

 

[Two Deep]

Bungles

Aints

Broncs

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Who will make it:

New Orleans - If they can address the defense (pretty much rotten all around, even the DL is falling apart) they could contend. They obviously have enough offensive firepower.

St. Louis - I thought they were going to the Super Bowl this year. Ooops. But like has been said, injuries killed them. A good draft will put them in the mix in a weak NFC West.

Carolina - Not a flashy team, but solid all around. Delhomme is the key.

Who won't:

MIA -Just too far to go in one season. Defense is a wreck and they are starting over at QB.

BUF - Edwards needs more seasoning. Defense is too young. Up and coming team though.

NYJ - Skill players on offense are mediocre. Defense has many holes, especially on the line.

CIN - Too many distractions on offense and now Rudi is a big ?. Defense is bad.

BAL - Don't have the QB to win.

DEN - Borderline team. O-line needs to come together with Lepsis retiring and skill positions in flux. Defense is not good other than Bailey.

OAK - Defense will keep them in games, especially if they draft Dorsey or Ellis. Russell will determine how far they go.

KC - D-line is good, but the rest is a wreck. Offense is one of the league's worst.

CHI - This team got really old really fast.

DET - Defensive backfield is the league's worst. Offense needs a line and a running game.

ATL - Will either be starting a bad veteran or a good rookie at QB. Neither will win many games.

SF - Defensive line needs a lot of work. Offense needs way more skill at the passing game.

 

[Tanner9919]

Looking at the teams that have made the playoffs in the salary cap era, last year was the first time that at least 3 teams did not make the playoffs that had losing records the prior season. (Although 5 teams in this year's playoff group went 8-8 in 2006.)I bring this up seemingly every year because most people will have almost all of last year's playoff teams in their 2008 predicted playoff teams.Which 3 losing teams are most likely to make the playoffs in 2008?2007 teams with losing records:MIA, BUF, NYJ, CIN, BAL, DEN, OAK, KC, CHI, DET, NO, CAR, ATL, SF, STL(We can revisit this subject the closer we get to the start of the actual season.)Other seasons . . .2007: WAS, TB (5 other playoff teams went 8-8 in 2006)2006: PHI, NOS, NYJ, BAL2005: CHI, CAR, NYG, WAS2004: SD, ATL, PIT, NYJ2003: BAL, KC, DAL, STL, SEA2002: TEN, IND, ATL, NYG2001: NE, CHI, SF2000: DEN, NYG, PHI, NO1999: IND, WAS, STL, DET1998: BUF, DAL, ARI, ATL1997: NYJ, NYG, TB, DET1996: NE, JAX, CAR1995: BUF, PHI, ATL1994: NE, CLE, CHI

Buffalo, Balt ( without Billick, they should thrive), Cincy - but I don't see Marvin Lewis changing things around , they'll likely go 7-9 or 8-8 yet again.

 

[Nemesis]

BuffaloNew OrleansDenver

Read the OP and immediately wrote down 3 teams....Those are the 3 I wrote down.