This season, it seems like the NFL playoff picture was more competitive than ever, with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions fighting for the top spot in the NFC and multiple teams coming close to the final Wild Card spot in the AFC.
Unfortunately, multiple teams came up short that seemed like prime candidates for postseason glory.
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Additionally, there are a few teams that finally have an establishing piece they can build a team around.
So let's take a look at five teams that, if they play their cards right, will likely find themselves in the playoffs next season.
5. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers were supposed to be the worst team this season, much like they were last season.
While there are definitely sections where they can make an improvement, specifically the defense, the Panthers have shown in the latter half of the season that they can play with the best of them.
After a rough start, quarterback Bryce Young showed that he is the future of Carolina by completing 197 passes for 2,104 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushing for five touchdowns in his last 10 games.
On top of that, Carolina has running back Chuba Hubbard, who rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns. If they get their defense and offensive line figured out, the Panthers can be a dangerous team in the NFC South.
4. Seattle Seahawks
When it comes to record, the Seattle Seahawks are the best team that didn't make the playoffs, having won 10 of their 17 games this season.
Normally, this would be more than enough to get a team into the postseason, but the Los Angeles Rams came from behind to seal Seattle's fate this year.
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Fortunately, there is no reason to doubt that they'll repeat their success next season, especially since quarterback Geno Smith will return and there are talks of getting receiver DK Metcalf more involved in the offense.
Despite making the playoffs, the Seahawks are a solid team. Had a single game gone a different direction, they would be tearing it up in the postseason right now.
3. Atlanta Falcons
In Week 18, Michael Penix Jr had a 95.6 PFF grade -- the fourth best single game by any QB all season.
He also had SEVEN Big Time Throws, tied for the most in a game all season.
Zero Turnover-Worthy Plays, five drops.
The Falcons should feel ecstatic.pic.twitter.com/fZgQTNZeTb
The Atlanta Falcons are a combination of the Seahawks and the Panthers in the sense that they are already a solid team and they have an exciting, young quarterback that proved himself at the end of the season.
After sticking behind Kirk Cousins for most of the season, Michael Penix Jr. took the starting spot and made a show of it. In his final three games of the season, Penix completed 58 passes for 737 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown.
To make things easier for Penix, the Falcons have plenty of offensive weapons, including running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London.
Atlanta had a few missteps this season, but they are more than ready to become a dangerous team next season.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers were arguably the biggest disappointment this season, going from a Super Bowl appearance to a 6-11 team that came in last in the NFC East.
This is largely because of a plethora of injuries that has plagued the team all season, with 12 players on IR at the end of the season, including Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, and Trent Williams.
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While this resulted in a disastrous 2024 NFL season, all of these players will have plenty of time to get healthy for 2025.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the 49ers come back stronger than before, especially if they pick up some young talent to balance out their venerated veterans.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
There are plenty of fans that will tell you that the Cincinnati Bengals should be in the playoffs but the fact of the matter is this: of the Bengals' eight losses, seven were by a single score.
If the defense stepped up and prevented a touchdown or the offense scored once more, they'd be in the playoffs right now.Unfortunately, that didn't happen and they're now on the outside looking in.
Now, after barely missing out, it seems Cincinnati is hungrier than ever for the postseason. And they could easily get there.
The Bengals have one of the most dangerous offensive trios in the NFL with quarterback Joe Burrow and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Add on running back Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki and you have one of the best overall offenses in the NFL.
All that Cincinnati needs to do is make some moves at defense and start the season hot instead of waiting until Week 10 to start showing up. If they do this, they won't just make it to the playoffs. They'll be Super Bowl contenders once again.
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