5 NFL teams that should make playoffs in 2020 after missing this year
5. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts had one of the weirdest seasons anybody can remember. After being talked about as a Super Bowl all offseason, their star quarterback, Andrew Luck, decided to retire in mid-August. This left the team scrambling with Jacoby Brissett. Brissett played reasonably well before injuries set in, leading the Colts to a 5-2 mark that included wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. With another draft class and some impact free agents, the Colts should be a problem in the AFC South.
4. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons looked dead in the water after starting 1-7, but then finished the year 6-2 with some quality victories over the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. The talent is there on offense to be a very good team, and once Raheem Morris took over as defensive coordinator, things changed significantly for that unit as well. Atlanta doesn’t have much cap space and might lose tight end Austin Hooper, but if the draft class yields one or two solid players, Atlanta may bounce back in 2020.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were very close to making the playoffs this year, finishing 9-7 but in third place within the NFC West. Los Angeles has talent across the board, and enough cap space to make a few minor moves. However, not having a first-round pick in each of the next two drafts does put a major emphasis on hitting with later selections. Head coach Sean McVay can get his team back into the postseason, but it won’t be without additions to the offensive line and a few upgrades on defense.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is an easy case to make. The AFC had some darling teams get into the playoffs such as the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills. The Steelers almost beat out Tennessee despite starting Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges for most of the year at quarterback. Assuming Ben Roethlisberger comes back near 100 percent, that’s a massive upgrade even at his age. The Steelers should be able to win two more games this season and reach the playoffs.
1. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas was easily the most talented team to miss the postseason. Head coach MikeMcCarthy should breathe new life into the offense, assuming Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper both return. Between the cap space and draft capital, the Cowboys should fortify some of the weaker points on the team. In a bad NFC East, there’s no reason for Dallas to stay down long.
