Teams Who Will Miss the Playoffs This Year After Making It Last Year

Every year, about half of the NFL teams that make the playoffs the year prior end up missing the playoffs the next year. Therefore, as we approach the start of the NFL season, we should evaluate who will miss the playoffs this year despite making it last year. Many of the teams that will be mentioned are on the decline either because they have salary cap trouble, an aging roster, or several other issues. So, let’s predict the teams that will experience a drop-off this season.

NFC: Dallas Cowboys (Last Year: Second Seed)

After Jerry Jones declared that the Cowboys were “going all-in” this offseason, the Cowboys have only gotten worse. In key positions like wide receiver, running back, and cornerback, the Cowboys are extremely top-heavy and thin. If the Cowboys sustain an injury that keeps out a player like CeeDee Lamb, this offense could be severely limited. Speaking of CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have created some drama because they have refused to give their key star players a new contract extension which could result in some holdouts into the regular season. The amount of drama, chaos, and lack of talent depth will not result in the Cowboys getting back to the postseason in an improving NFC East.

AFC: Buffalo Bills (Last Year: Second Seed)

The Bills had a Super Bowl window that closed after last year’s playoff flameout. The Bills this offseason lost a lot of crucial pieces including Stefon Diggs and nearly the entire defensive secondary. Josh Allen has blossomed as the quarterback ever since Stefon Diggs arrived, but now that he has departed this team is extremely weak at the wide receiver position. The Bills have been incredibly dependent on Josh Allen to be great and that is not a sustainable model for winning consistently. With Josh Allen and Von Miller eating a large percentage of the salary cap we are going to see some massive regression from this team this season in a strong AFC East division.

NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Year: Fourth Seed)

Baker Mayfield shocked the NFL world as he had a career resurgence last season with the Buccaneers. The main reason the Buccaneers made the playoffs last year was because they won the weak NFC South division. However, the Buccaneers are going to lose control of the division this season to the much stronger Atlanta Falcons after they have made several moves this offseason to put them over the top in this division. Additionally, the Buccaneers’ roster is one of the older ones in the league that have an overreliance on their veterans to continue having insane production. This team is set up to regress this season as they will likely reside in the shadow of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South.

AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Year: Seventh Seed)

Mike Tomlin somehow continues to find a way to make the Steelers a winning franchise year after year no matter how bad the roster is. However, a 9-8 record this season won’t be enough to earn a Wild Card spot this year in the AFC. The AFC North is insanely strong this season with the Ravens, Browns, and Bengals all set up to dominate in this division. The Steelers will probably somehow end the season with a winning record because of Mike Tomlin’s great coaching, but if the Steelers end the season fourth in the division, they won’t be making the playoffs this year.