Four Non-Playoff Teams to Watch

The Packers, Jets, Broncos, and Lions missed the NFL playoffs final season, however they’re 4 groups price watching in 2023-2024. [Image: Facebook.com / Green Bay Packers]

The 2023-2024 NFL season is quick approaching as groups wrap up their preseason schedule this week. Most fanbases have optimism concerning the upcoming season, as, in spite of everything, everyone is undefeated proper now. Something can occur!

There are all the time groups that didn’t make the playoffs one season which are intriguing the next yr. Some may bounce up and declare a playoff spot, some won’t, however let’s check out 4 non-playoff groups from 2022-2023 that needs to be fascinating to observe within the coming months.

All NFL futures odds supplied by DraftKings.

Inexperienced Bay Packers (+180 to make the playoffs, +400 to win the division, +3,000 to win the NFC, +6,500 to win the Tremendous Bowl)

The Aaron Rodgers period is over and after practically twenty years, the presumptive opening day beginning quarterback for the Packers might be somebody aside from the longer term first poll Corridor of Famer. It’s Jordan Love’s staff now and that’s why this might be an fascinating staff, though they’re anticipated to be one of many worst squads within the NFL. Time for head coach Matt LaFleur to essentially show he has the stuff.

take pleasure in watching Love develop together with an insanely younger group of cross catchers

With out the expectations of a championship, Packers followers might be capable of chill out and revel in watching Love develop together with an insanely younger group of cross catchers. Their two finest huge receivers – Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs – are of their second yr and their possible #3, Jayden Reed, is a rookie. Their high two tight ends are in all probability additionally going to be rookies. If Love appears stable, even when he isn’t about to be GB’s third straight HOF sign caller, and the receivers blossom even a bit of bit, there might be a bit of pleasure in Title City, no matter whether or not or not they make the playoffs.

The protection can also be stacked with first rounders, however they didn’t hit their stride final season till late. We’ll see if one other yr with defensive coordinator Joe Barry helps them take a step ahead.

New York Jets (-130 playoffs, +270 division, +1,000 AFC, +1,600 Tremendous Bowl)

The yin to the Packers’ yang is the New York Jets, for apparent causes. Aaron Rodgers compelled his means out of Inexperienced Bay and into a special shade of inexperienced, sending expectations for Jets’ followers sky excessive. Gary Dell’Abate, govt producer of The Howard Stern Present, lately stated that something lower than an AFC Championship Sport look might be an enormous disappointment.

The Jets had one of many worst offenses within the NFL final yr and at the moment are anticipated to have, on the very least, a stable one. Some prognosticators suppose their offense might be among the many finest. Aaron Rodgers, all the time one to carry grudges and have one thing to show, might be out to point out that he can carry a staff aside from the Packers. They’ve final yr’s Offensive Rookie of the Yr Garrett Wilson, who appears like a star. Rodgers introduced over buddies Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, who aren’t going to be Professional Bowlers, however are good gamers and have a good bond with their QB. Breece Corridor might need been Offensive Rookie of the Yr if he didn’t get damage, however he’s again and the Jets added Dalvin Prepare dinner at operating again, as properly.

The Jets additionally employed Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator, somebody with whom Rodgers had success Inexperienced Bay.

The Jets had among the finest defenses within the league final yr and needs to be improbable points-preventers once more. Expectations are excessive for the Jets, however no matter the place the staff finishes, the Aaron Rodgers story is the explanation they are going to in all probability be the primary or second matter of dialog on ESPN each Monday.

Denver Broncos (+180 playoffs, +550 division, +3,000 AFC, +4,500 Tremendous Bowl)

The Broncos traded the home to Seattle for star quarterback Russell Wilson earlier than final season and boy, did that not work out. The Broncos’ offense was completely trash, to the purpose the place folks had been questioning what alien had inhabited Wilson’s physique. First-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett regarded fully out of his depth, however he has since moved to the Jets to be Aaron Rodgers’ offensive coordinator (it’s possible you’ll discover a throughline to this text).

probably the most injured staff within the NFL

Denver, although, was additionally very unfortunate final season. They had been probably the most injured staff within the NFL; solely two gamers began each recreation. Additionally they misplaced a variety of shut video games. A pair got here all the way down to missed last-second discipline targets. They misplaced three additional time video games. They misplaced 4 fourth-quarter leads. As embarrassing of the Broncos’ offense was, they had been in all probability higher than their 5-12 report.

For a lot of the season, Denver’s protection was among the many finest within the league, however wore down late and was one of many worst in the previous few weeks. With higher harm luck and an offense that may keep on the sphere no less than an affordable period of time, the protection ought to maintain up higher.

And the Broncos introduced in (TRADED for) head coach Sean Payton, whose New Orleans Saints with Drew Brees put up gaudy offensive stats yr in and yr out. It will be uncommon if he was an prompt miracle employee, however even a semi-competent coach would have been higher than Hackett final yr, so Payton ought to assist.

Backside line: the Broncos will seemingly miss the playoffs in a stacked AFC, however it is going to fascinating to see if Russell Wilson can get again to being Russell Wilson and if Sean Payton can flip issues round.

Detroit Lions (-165 playoffs, +140 division, +1,100 NFC, +2,200 Tremendous Bowl)

The Lions had been the darlings of the NFL final season. The perennial doormats regarded the half as soon as extra within the first half the season, getting off to a depressing 1-6 begin. However then they rattled off wins in six of their subsequent seven video games to get to .500 and make a push for the playoffs. They fell simply brief, however ended up with a profitable report for the primary time since 2017-2018 and no less than beat the Packers within the ultimate recreation of the season to sprint their rivals’ playoff hopes.

Detroit was a staff of ardour. Their coach, Dan Campbell, wears his coronary heart on his sleeve and exhibits his love for his gamers, one thing that endeared him to followers and media alike. Their gamers had been simply as passionate, having enjoyable and by no means giving up, regardless of the horrible begin. They give the impression of being to construct on the second-half success and maintain that spirit going.

The Lions are anticipated to have one of many higher offenses within the league. Quarterback Jared Goff regarded rejuvenated and his high cross catcher, Amon-Ra St. Brown has shortly emerged as among the finest within the NFL. The receiver corps behind him is nothing spectacular, however the Lions’ offensive line is super, so Goff ought to have tons of time to seek out receivers downfield.

Detroit’s difficulty final yr was its protection, but it surely improved enormously within the second half of the season. The NFC North is weak, as is the remainder of the convention, and oddsmakers have really put in the Lions as the favourite to win their first division title since 1993, when it was the NFC Central.