When the NFL playoffs get underway on Saturday, 14 teams have a chance to win a Lombardi trophy at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. The season is over for the other 18 teams. But some teams are on the closer to playoff contention than others.
A total of 141 regular season games where decided by seven-or-fewer games this season, tied with the 2022 regular season for the most in a season in NFL history. There isn’t an insurmountable disparity between all 32 NFL teams.
Which franchises have reasons to be optimistic about their chances at the postseason? USA TODAY Sports ranks the top five teams currently on vacations who have the best chance to reach the postseason next year:
5. Seattle Seahawks
The 10-7 Seahawks were the only double-digit win team to miss the playoffs this season. Seattle lost the strength of victory tiebreaker to the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams, but they are playoff-less in Seattle in large part because of a surprising 3-6 home record.
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Kenneth Walker’s absence in six games hurt Seattle’s offense. The Seahawks ranked 28th in rushing and 18th in points per game. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was shown the door following’s Seattle’s disappointing finish.
Head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense should improve in his second season. Plus, Walker’s return to the backfield will help Seattle’s offense in 2025.
Offseason to-do list: Sign Geno Smith to extension and look for successor, hire an offensive coordinator, continue to build defense that fits Macdonald’s scheme.
4. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons swept the season series versus the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year, albeit with Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback.
A Cousins and Falcons divorce seems inevitable. The Falcons will incur a $65 million dead money hit if Cousins is cut before the start of the new league year.
Penix, Drake London and Bijan Robinson are franchise pillars, allowing for hope for the offense.
The defense lacks difference-makers upfront. The Falcons’ 31 defensive sacks ranked last in the NFC. They need better production from their front seven. The secondary underperformed, but Jessie Bates is one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Offseason to-do list: Attempt to trade Kirk Cousins to accumulate assets, improve pass rush, design offense around Michael Penix Jr.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Perhaps now Jerry Jones realizes it was a lapse in judgement to not drastically upgrade the Cowboys roster during the 2024 offseason.
Injuries played a big factor during the Cowboys 7-10 campaign. Former Pro Bowlers Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb ended the season on injured reserve. But the Cowboys didn’t address glaring needs last offseason.
The team lacks a consistent run game, they have a leaky offensive line and a below-average defense.
The Cowboys scored 30 or more points 10 times in 2023. They scored 30 or more points three times this year. Dallas had the 28th total defense and the unit was second to last in points allowed per game.
Dallas will naturally be a better team if its core returns healthy. However, the Cowboys have to address their offensive line, get more weapons on offense and upgrade all three levels of their defense.
Offseason to-do list: Get more playmakers on offense, improve offensive line, shore up front seven.
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2. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, Ja’Marr Chase won the receiving triple crown and Trey Hendrickson topped the league in sacks. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, the trio’s excellent individual seasons didn’t translate to many wins nor a playoff spot.
The Bengals made dubious history by becoming the first team in NFL history to miss the playoffs despite having the league’s leading passer, the receiving yards leader and the league leader in sacks.
The Bengals were plagued by poor defense and a lack of execution at the most inopportune times. That led to the firing of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Anarumo was once a top head coaching candidate.
The Bengals aren’t too far away from getting back into contention. They need to ink Chase to long-term extension, figure out a deal with Hendrickson who requested a trade last offseason and invest more on the defensive side of the football. The odd man out figures to be pending free agent Tee Higgins, which will hurt Cincy’s passing attack.
However, Burrow and Chase’s superb 2024 performances, specifically, should give Cincinnati optimism going forward.
Offseason to-do list: Sign Ja’Marr Carr and Trey Hendrickson to long-term extensions, try to re-sign Tee Higgins, invest in defense.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers aren’t too far removed from reaching three straight NFC championship games from 2021-2023, especially so when you consider injuries depleted this year’s squad. Franchise pillars Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Trent Williams (ankle), Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Dre Greenlaw (calf) were among 19 San Francisco players who ended the season on injured reserve or the PUP list.
It’s fair to assume that fatigue from long playoff runs played a role in San Francisco’s demise this year. The 49ers lost seven of their final eight games as they limped to the finish line.
The 49ers, when healthy, have a lot of high-end talent, but the team lacks depth behind its stars. If San Francisco’s prominent players can remain on the field next year, the 49ers are bound to bounce back.
Brock Purdy’s imminent contract extension does loom large. The 49ers and Purdy seem confident a deal will get done sooner rather than later.
Offseason to-do list: Get healthy, Brock Purdy extension, improve offensive line.