5 NFL teams with best chance to go worst to first

5. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders might be one of the most improved clubs from a talent standpoint. Oakland went out and landed Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams at wide receiver, Trent Brown at right tackle and Lamarcus Joyner to play a hybrid safety/corner role. Of course, the holes on the roster are still prevalent, especially on the defensive side. For the Raiders to overcome the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, the defense must surprise and Derek Carr needs to bounce back.

4. New York Jets

New York also went out and added quite a bit in free agency. The Jets spent lavishly to bring in running back Le’Veon Bell, inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and slot receiver Jamison Crowder. To win the AFC East, though, they have to overcome the New England Patriots. New England has won the division in each of the years this decade and is a heavy favorite to do so again. Still, should Tom Brady age (finally), the Jets are clearly the second-best team in the East.

3. Arizona Cardinals

This is short and sweet. If the Cardinals are going to make a serious move on the Los Angeles Rams, it hinges on two things. First, Todd Gurley is unfortunately dealing with a very serious knee injury, thus crippling Los Angeles’ offense. Second, Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury prove to be a great duo.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville has an elite defense. It now also has a Super Bowl MVP at quarterback. Truth be told, Nick Foles isn’t going to be an All-Pro, but he’s going to feel like one in Duval after having to watch Blake Bortles. If Jacksonville is going to make noise in the AFC South, it comes down to Foles being a massive upgrade under center, the defense playing up to its talent level, and Leonard Fournette getting on track.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have the best shot of getting to the penthouse of their respective division. Bruce Arians is a terrific coach and a quarterback whisperer. The defense is likely to remain suspect, but with Jameis Winston being under Arians’ guise, there’s reason to believe he finally fulfills his potential. The division is tough, but each team has questions. Drew Brees is 40 years old, Cam Newton is coming off a shoulder surgery and the Falcons have weaknesses in the trenches. In short, Tampa Bay has a shot to make a leap from worst to first.