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Change is a constant in the NFL – and not just in the offseason.
From a coaching carousel that spun into overdrive to months of teams remaking their rosters, 2026 so far has featured plenty of turnover. Those shifts could lead up to even more upheaval in the postseason field, which has annually rotated a sizable chunk of its constituents. And given how many perennial contenders slipped up last year, there could be a good number of new entrants punching their tickets next January.
With that in mind, here is USA TODAY Sports' ranking of all of last year's non-playoff teams, sorted from most to least likely to crash the postseason field:
Dumping John Harbaugh only to hand the reins to a first-time head coach from his replacement's family coaching tree might seem like an odd choice for a franchise intent on competing for a division crown – and more – right away. Yet Jesse Minter might be just the figure needed to get the Ravens back on track after the franchise strayed from the path in several key stretches in recent seasons. The self-inflicted wounds that became the hallmark of Harbaugh's latter years became too much to bear for a roster with this many premium players. Minter, who cleaned up the Chargers' defense almost instantly with his emphasis on precision and communication, could help rid the unit of the missed tackles and communication breakdowns that became all too common in late-game meltdowns. First-time play-caller Declan Doyle might require some time before the offense finds its footing, but there's clearly more to get out of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and a group that tumbled to the middle of the pack in 2025. With the AFC North essentially a toss-up, a more composed version of Baltimore should find itself back in the postseason field.
A fourth-place finish was nothing short of deflating for an organization that, despite winning 27 regular-season games the previous two years, had to confront questions that its own leaders raised about its competitive window. Still, there might not be a franchise better positioned than Detroit to shake off its problems of a year ago. If new coordinator Drew Petzing can coax some consistency out of an attack still capable of gaining yards in big chunks, Dan Campbell's team can recapture its place as one of the league's most difficult draws. And though a potentially shorthanded secondary could remain shaky, a bit more resilience and flexibility – particularly in using more nickel looks – could go a long way toward revitalizing a perpetually hamstrung defense. If not for the lethal layout of the NFC North, the Lions would have a strong claim to first on this list.
This might seem like a particularly rosy outlook for an organization that bottomed out late last season and might not be much of a factor for anything beyond the NFC South crown. Yet in an exercise meant to merely reflect a team's likelihood of reaching the postseason rather than its ability to advance deep in it, the advantage of playing in the NFL's worst division can't be overlooked. Tampa Bay still has enough top talent – particularly on offense – to return to the field after its five-year run was snapped in 2025. Baker Mayfield and Emeka Egbuka will shoulder considerably heavy loads for the Mike Evans-less attack, and the pass rush might hinge on how quickly first-round Rueben Bain Jr. can find his footing. The margin of error has thinned considerably for Todd Bowles and Co., but there aren't many more favorable competitive landscapes.
Having missed the playoffs for the last three seasons, the Bengals have exhausted their available excuses for squandering a good chunk of Joe Burrow's prime. Yet there's reason to believe that Cincinnati can manifest its long-awaited return to form rather than accept this current underperforming iteration as its true self. The uncharacteristically aggressive trade to acquire Dexter Lawrence revealed how serious the organization is about confronting its most pressing weaknesses, as the massive nose tackle served as the most forceful way of addressing a woeful run defense. Signing safety Bryan Cook should also solidify a unit that was undone by poor tackling and tight ends running free in the secondary, while Boye Mafe provides some needed juice off the edge after Trey Hendrickson's departure. Cincinnati is betting big, however, on the development of its disappointing linebacker tandem of Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, as well as an offensive line that hasn't managed to keep Burrow out of harm's way. Still, with some good fortune on the health front, the Bengals look as dangerous as anyone in the AFC North – and, if the defense comes together, maybe the whole conference.
More than six months after Kansas City completed its unraveling, squaring the result with the franchise's recent dominance remains a sizable challenge. So, too, does predicting the path forward for the franchise. There's a natural temptation to wipe out what seems like a clear aberration, particularly after the Chiefs' remarkable fortune in close games finally boomeranged on them with a 1-9 mark in one-score games in 2025. But what might seem like an outlier outcome on several fronts isn't necessarily indicative of an imminent return to the top of the AFC for Andy Reid's crew. Several long-gestating issues, including the disappearance of big plays in the run game and the erosion of the defensive front, came to a head and require substantial improvement. Yet with Patrick Mahomes in line to be back in action for Week 1, the Chiefs might have all they need to respond to last year's reality check. The competition in the division they once reigned over for nearly a decade should be fierce, but if the team can keep a remade secondary together, Kansas City could once again be as formidable a matchup as anyone in the conference.
By season's end, Jerry Jones didn't have to worry about Brian Schottenheimer being a league laughingstock after his widely criticized hire. Instead, the chortles were directed at a defense that routinely short-circuited en route to surrendering an all-time franchise and 2025 league-worst of 511 points. Even if new coordinator Christian Parker gets mixed results in nudging the pass rush and cleaning up the breakdowns on the back end, Dallas might be significantly improved. And an attack never short on firepower when Dak Prescott is healthy seems to have avoided another contentious contract standoff, with receiver George Pickens not pushing back on the organization's insistence he play out the year on the franchise tag. The Cowboys still have work to do to break through to the NFC's contending class, but they have all the pieces to be a serious player the playoff picture.
NFL teams too often have their performances reduced to a reflection of their quarterback's play. For the Vikings, that simplistic approach might actually carry some weight. From Sam Darnold's resurgence in 2024 to J.J. McCarthy's stumbles in 2025, Minnesota has often gone as far as its signal-caller can fling it. Kyler Murray, assuming he wins the competition with McCarthy, should be able to skew closer to the former, though the dual-threat passer's distinct style of play is sure to present its own distinct wrinkles and challenges to Kevin O'Connell. On defense, Brian Flores could have more leeway to vex opponents if edge rusher Dallas Turner and a revamped defensive line step up. Still, this group isn't nearly as imposing as it was in 2024, when it pushed the Lions for the top overall seed in the NFC. There are plenty of ways for things to break right for the Vikings, but the variance is high for an outfit still putting so much on its coaching staff.
Like the Buccaneers, the Saints finish several slots ahead of where they otherwise would if not for their taking residence in the wide-open NFC South. That's not to say that New Orleans is starved for talent. With NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Tyler Shough exceeding every reasonable standard set for him in his half-season at the helm and Travis Etienne Jr. invigorating a stale run game, a sizable leap could be ahead for Kellen Moore's fast-paced attack. Brandon Staley's defense also could finally get its due after flying under the radar with its solid returns last season. Still, even with as solid of a case to go from worst to first as any other last-place finisher, New Orleans could be in trouble if Shough doesn't get enough support and the explosive plays absent last year don't start to trickle in.
It goes without saying that a team that followed up its surprising NFC championship game run with a 5-12 crash landing is prone to a good deal of volatility. With Jayden Daniels healthy, Washington has considerably more upside than many of the other two teams in the bottom two-thirds of this list. But it's difficult to trust an outfit breaking in two first-time coordinators while also counting on a few key additions – namely edge rusher Odafe Oweh and rookie linebacker Sonny Styles – to rescue a dilapidated defense. A bounce-back seems reasonable given how hard regression hit last year, but that might only be enough to carry the Commanders to somewhere around the middle of the pack.
In one sense, the Colts present a good deal of clarity. Last season revealed Indianapolis at both its best – an 8-2 start, which featured a career renaissance for Daniel Jones – and its worst – the ensuing 0-7 skid. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon opted to run it back with the same leadership, and general manager Chris Ballard had little choice but to do the same with his core, re-signing quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. Reproducing the same levels of efficiency as the offense enjoyed at its peak might be a pipe dream, especially with both Jones and Pierce working their way back from significant injuries. But if everything clicks and Sauce Gardner proves to unlock the defensive capabilities the team envisioned for coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts could at the very least be in the mix for a wild-card berth down the stretch.
Urgency isn't an issue for Atlanta. After watching his team's string of postseason absences run to eight seasons, owner Arthur Blank cleared house and installed franchise legend Matt Ryan as president of football to engineer an expedited turnaround. Coming off a four-game win streak to close the season and finish tied for first place in the NFC South, a franchise that added two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski might seem on track to right the ship in short order. But an organization that has been dogged by its missteps at quarterback looks poised to continue to be weighed down by its shortcomings behind center, with neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Michael Penix Jr. inspiring much faith as an offensive catalyst. A defense that made serious strides under coordinator Jeff Ulbrich could once again be respectable, but outside of Bijan Robinson and Drake London, there's nothing for the Falcons to hang their hats on. Perhaps a postseason push is possible if others in the division trip themselves up, but this looks like a group that's at least a year away from making any serious noise.
Hiring John Harbaugh has rightfully produced the highest levels the Giants have seen in a decade. Still, even in an era where the likes of Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson drastically reshaped their franchise's fortunes in Year 1, expectations for Big Blue should be tempered at least somewhat. While New York might finally put in place the organizational and cultural guardrails it has long lacked, there are significant concerns about how early star receiver Malik Nabers can get on the field and how long promising second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart can stay there. A run defense that looks even more vulnerable without Dexter Lawrence could also threaten the Giants' ability to stifle top teams. A major step forward could be in order, but that could still leave the team short of the postseason.
No team was quite as aggressive in its efforts to drag itself from the league's dregs as Tennessee was. Not only did the Titans hire a proven defensive architect in Robert Saleh, but they also embarked on an extensive spending spree to remake the roster to better fit the proclivities of the new coach. Ultimately, however, those moves still might prove to be insufficient propellant for a group that prompted plenty of concerns as 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward floundered to a troublesome debut season. Anything is possible if Ward, buoyed by the hire of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and the selection of new leading target Carnell Tate, enjoys a Drake Maye-esque Year 2 breakout as an off-platform playmaker. But that's a tall order for both the quarterback and organization alike.
After trying to microwave a contender last season under Pete Carroll, the Raiders appear to have learned an important lesson in proper cooking. Still, pay attention to the signals being put out by general manager John Spytek and first-year coach Klint Kubiak. The Raiders brain trust – including Tom Brady – is clearly apprehensive about throwing No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza into the kitchen before the proper ingredients are in place. With Kirk Cousins seemingly in line to keep everything at a low simmer, expect this to be a year of transition for the Silver and Black, who will have a hard time avoiding a third consecutive fourth-place finish in the AFC West.
In trading away Myles Garrett, the Browns seemed to concede that they'll be measuring success in 2026 by youth development rather than wins and losses. There are promising pieces here worth watching, particularly after the impressive returns from the 2025 draft class. But it's exceedingly unlikely that either winding down the ill-fated Deshaun Watson era or turning back to Shedeur Sanders will position this team to be relevant beyond its lone prime-time appearance in Week 4.
The notion of a rapid revitalization under Aaron Glenn dissipated when Gang Green stood alone as the NFL's last winless team near midseason. A series of low-cost additions on defense could help the team creep closer to competence, with many of the roster's weak links fortified. But the quarterback-coordinator pairing of Geno Smith and Frank Reich reeks of desperation, and the best-case scenario appears to be scraping somewhere close to .500. Sure looks like the longest active postseason drought in the NFL is bound to extend to a rather un-sweet 16 years.
The Fins' wait for a playoff victory is now at a quarter-century and counting. That's of no immediate concern, however, to first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, who have essentially been liberated from short-term expectations. As they pay off a salary-cap bill put on layaway, the Dolphins have razed their roster and have little in the way of clear cornerstones for the new regime. Might as well hang a "check back next fall" sign on Miami.
With first-year coach Mike LaFleur taking the reins to an offense that showed plenty of promise before a vacuum of support from the defense derailed the unit, Arizona has more going for it than some of its fellow cellar-dwellers. But the gap between the team and the rest of the NFC West, against whom the Cardinals went 0-6 in 2025, might be as expansive as it has ever been. Unless Arizona can escape with a road win over the Giants in Week 4, there's a distinct chance the franchise won't sniff its first win until November at the earliest.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking NFL teams from most to least likely to crash 2026 playoff field
Continue reading...
From a coaching carousel that spun into overdrive to months of teams remaking their rosters, 2026 so far has featured plenty of turnover. Those shifts could lead up to even more upheaval in the postseason field, which has annually rotated a sizable chunk of its constituents. And given how many perennial contenders slipped up last year, there could be a good number of new entrants punching their tickets next January.
With that in mind, here is USA TODAY Sports' ranking of all of last year's non-playoff teams, sorted from most to least likely to crash the postseason field:
1. Baltimore Ravens
Dumping John Harbaugh only to hand the reins to a first-time head coach from his replacement's family coaching tree might seem like an odd choice for a franchise intent on competing for a division crown – and more – right away. Yet Jesse Minter might be just the figure needed to get the Ravens back on track after the franchise strayed from the path in several key stretches in recent seasons. The self-inflicted wounds that became the hallmark of Harbaugh's latter years became too much to bear for a roster with this many premium players. Minter, who cleaned up the Chargers' defense almost instantly with his emphasis on precision and communication, could help rid the unit of the missed tackles and communication breakdowns that became all too common in late-game meltdowns. First-time play-caller Declan Doyle might require some time before the offense finds its footing, but there's clearly more to get out of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and a group that tumbled to the middle of the pack in 2025. With the AFC North essentially a toss-up, a more composed version of Baltimore should find itself back in the postseason field.
2. Detroit Lions
A fourth-place finish was nothing short of deflating for an organization that, despite winning 27 regular-season games the previous two years, had to confront questions that its own leaders raised about its competitive window. Still, there might not be a franchise better positioned than Detroit to shake off its problems of a year ago. If new coordinator Drew Petzing can coax some consistency out of an attack still capable of gaining yards in big chunks, Dan Campbell's team can recapture its place as one of the league's most difficult draws. And though a potentially shorthanded secondary could remain shaky, a bit more resilience and flexibility – particularly in using more nickel looks – could go a long way toward revitalizing a perpetually hamstrung defense. If not for the lethal layout of the NFC North, the Lions would have a strong claim to first on this list.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This might seem like a particularly rosy outlook for an organization that bottomed out late last season and might not be much of a factor for anything beyond the NFC South crown. Yet in an exercise meant to merely reflect a team's likelihood of reaching the postseason rather than its ability to advance deep in it, the advantage of playing in the NFL's worst division can't be overlooked. Tampa Bay still has enough top talent – particularly on offense – to return to the field after its five-year run was snapped in 2025. Baker Mayfield and Emeka Egbuka will shoulder considerably heavy loads for the Mike Evans-less attack, and the pass rush might hinge on how quickly first-round Rueben Bain Jr. can find his footing. The margin of error has thinned considerably for Todd Bowles and Co., but there aren't many more favorable competitive landscapes.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Having missed the playoffs for the last three seasons, the Bengals have exhausted their available excuses for squandering a good chunk of Joe Burrow's prime. Yet there's reason to believe that Cincinnati can manifest its long-awaited return to form rather than accept this current underperforming iteration as its true self. The uncharacteristically aggressive trade to acquire Dexter Lawrence revealed how serious the organization is about confronting its most pressing weaknesses, as the massive nose tackle served as the most forceful way of addressing a woeful run defense. Signing safety Bryan Cook should also solidify a unit that was undone by poor tackling and tight ends running free in the secondary, while Boye Mafe provides some needed juice off the edge after Trey Hendrickson's departure. Cincinnati is betting big, however, on the development of its disappointing linebacker tandem of Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, as well as an offensive line that hasn't managed to keep Burrow out of harm's way. Still, with some good fortune on the health front, the Bengals look as dangerous as anyone in the AFC North – and, if the defense comes together, maybe the whole conference.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
More than six months after Kansas City completed its unraveling, squaring the result with the franchise's recent dominance remains a sizable challenge. So, too, does predicting the path forward for the franchise. There's a natural temptation to wipe out what seems like a clear aberration, particularly after the Chiefs' remarkable fortune in close games finally boomeranged on them with a 1-9 mark in one-score games in 2025. But what might seem like an outlier outcome on several fronts isn't necessarily indicative of an imminent return to the top of the AFC for Andy Reid's crew. Several long-gestating issues, including the disappearance of big plays in the run game and the erosion of the defensive front, came to a head and require substantial improvement. Yet with Patrick Mahomes in line to be back in action for Week 1, the Chiefs might have all they need to respond to last year's reality check. The competition in the division they once reigned over for nearly a decade should be fierce, but if the team can keep a remade secondary together, Kansas City could once again be as formidable a matchup as anyone in the conference.
6. Dallas Cowboys
By season's end, Jerry Jones didn't have to worry about Brian Schottenheimer being a league laughingstock after his widely criticized hire. Instead, the chortles were directed at a defense that routinely short-circuited en route to surrendering an all-time franchise and 2025 league-worst of 511 points. Even if new coordinator Christian Parker gets mixed results in nudging the pass rush and cleaning up the breakdowns on the back end, Dallas might be significantly improved. And an attack never short on firepower when Dak Prescott is healthy seems to have avoided another contentious contract standoff, with receiver George Pickens not pushing back on the organization's insistence he play out the year on the franchise tag. The Cowboys still have work to do to break through to the NFC's contending class, but they have all the pieces to be a serious player the playoff picture.
7. Minnesota Vikings
NFL teams too often have their performances reduced to a reflection of their quarterback's play. For the Vikings, that simplistic approach might actually carry some weight. From Sam Darnold's resurgence in 2024 to J.J. McCarthy's stumbles in 2025, Minnesota has often gone as far as its signal-caller can fling it. Kyler Murray, assuming he wins the competition with McCarthy, should be able to skew closer to the former, though the dual-threat passer's distinct style of play is sure to present its own distinct wrinkles and challenges to Kevin O'Connell. On defense, Brian Flores could have more leeway to vex opponents if edge rusher Dallas Turner and a revamped defensive line step up. Still, this group isn't nearly as imposing as it was in 2024, when it pushed the Lions for the top overall seed in the NFC. There are plenty of ways for things to break right for the Vikings, but the variance is high for an outfit still putting so much on its coaching staff.
8. New Orleans Saints
Like the Buccaneers, the Saints finish several slots ahead of where they otherwise would if not for their taking residence in the wide-open NFC South. That's not to say that New Orleans is starved for talent. With NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Tyler Shough exceeding every reasonable standard set for him in his half-season at the helm and Travis Etienne Jr. invigorating a stale run game, a sizable leap could be ahead for Kellen Moore's fast-paced attack. Brandon Staley's defense also could finally get its due after flying under the radar with its solid returns last season. Still, even with as solid of a case to go from worst to first as any other last-place finisher, New Orleans could be in trouble if Shough doesn't get enough support and the explosive plays absent last year don't start to trickle in.
9. Washington Commanders
It goes without saying that a team that followed up its surprising NFC championship game run with a 5-12 crash landing is prone to a good deal of volatility. With Jayden Daniels healthy, Washington has considerably more upside than many of the other two teams in the bottom two-thirds of this list. But it's difficult to trust an outfit breaking in two first-time coordinators while also counting on a few key additions – namely edge rusher Odafe Oweh and rookie linebacker Sonny Styles – to rescue a dilapidated defense. A bounce-back seems reasonable given how hard regression hit last year, but that might only be enough to carry the Commanders to somewhere around the middle of the pack.
10. Indianapolis Colts
In one sense, the Colts present a good deal of clarity. Last season revealed Indianapolis at both its best – an 8-2 start, which featured a career renaissance for Daniel Jones – and its worst – the ensuing 0-7 skid. Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon opted to run it back with the same leadership, and general manager Chris Ballard had little choice but to do the same with his core, re-signing quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. Reproducing the same levels of efficiency as the offense enjoyed at its peak might be a pipe dream, especially with both Jones and Pierce working their way back from significant injuries. But if everything clicks and Sauce Gardner proves to unlock the defensive capabilities the team envisioned for coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts could at the very least be in the mix for a wild-card berth down the stretch.
11. Atlanta Falcons
Urgency isn't an issue for Atlanta. After watching his team's string of postseason absences run to eight seasons, owner Arthur Blank cleared house and installed franchise legend Matt Ryan as president of football to engineer an expedited turnaround. Coming off a four-game win streak to close the season and finish tied for first place in the NFC South, a franchise that added two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski might seem on track to right the ship in short order. But an organization that has been dogged by its missteps at quarterback looks poised to continue to be weighed down by its shortcomings behind center, with neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Michael Penix Jr. inspiring much faith as an offensive catalyst. A defense that made serious strides under coordinator Jeff Ulbrich could once again be respectable, but outside of Bijan Robinson and Drake London, there's nothing for the Falcons to hang their hats on. Perhaps a postseason push is possible if others in the division trip themselves up, but this looks like a group that's at least a year away from making any serious noise.
12. New York Giants
Hiring John Harbaugh has rightfully produced the highest levels the Giants have seen in a decade. Still, even in an era where the likes of Mike Vrabel and Ben Johnson drastically reshaped their franchise's fortunes in Year 1, expectations for Big Blue should be tempered at least somewhat. While New York might finally put in place the organizational and cultural guardrails it has long lacked, there are significant concerns about how early star receiver Malik Nabers can get on the field and how long promising second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart can stay there. A run defense that looks even more vulnerable without Dexter Lawrence could also threaten the Giants' ability to stifle top teams. A major step forward could be in order, but that could still leave the team short of the postseason.
13. Tennessee Titans
No team was quite as aggressive in its efforts to drag itself from the league's dregs as Tennessee was. Not only did the Titans hire a proven defensive architect in Robert Saleh, but they also embarked on an extensive spending spree to remake the roster to better fit the proclivities of the new coach. Ultimately, however, those moves still might prove to be insufficient propellant for a group that prompted plenty of concerns as 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward floundered to a troublesome debut season. Anything is possible if Ward, buoyed by the hire of offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and the selection of new leading target Carnell Tate, enjoys a Drake Maye-esque Year 2 breakout as an off-platform playmaker. But that's a tall order for both the quarterback and organization alike.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
After trying to microwave a contender last season under Pete Carroll, the Raiders appear to have learned an important lesson in proper cooking. Still, pay attention to the signals being put out by general manager John Spytek and first-year coach Klint Kubiak. The Raiders brain trust – including Tom Brady – is clearly apprehensive about throwing No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza into the kitchen before the proper ingredients are in place. With Kirk Cousins seemingly in line to keep everything at a low simmer, expect this to be a year of transition for the Silver and Black, who will have a hard time avoiding a third consecutive fourth-place finish in the AFC West.
15. Cleveland Browns
In trading away Myles Garrett, the Browns seemed to concede that they'll be measuring success in 2026 by youth development rather than wins and losses. There are promising pieces here worth watching, particularly after the impressive returns from the 2025 draft class. But it's exceedingly unlikely that either winding down the ill-fated Deshaun Watson era or turning back to Shedeur Sanders will position this team to be relevant beyond its lone prime-time appearance in Week 4.
16. New York Jets
The notion of a rapid revitalization under Aaron Glenn dissipated when Gang Green stood alone as the NFL's last winless team near midseason. A series of low-cost additions on defense could help the team creep closer to competence, with many of the roster's weak links fortified. But the quarterback-coordinator pairing of Geno Smith and Frank Reich reeks of desperation, and the best-case scenario appears to be scraping somewhere close to .500. Sure looks like the longest active postseason drought in the NFL is bound to extend to a rather un-sweet 16 years.
17. Miami Dolphins
The Fins' wait for a playoff victory is now at a quarter-century and counting. That's of no immediate concern, however, to first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, who have essentially been liberated from short-term expectations. As they pay off a salary-cap bill put on layaway, the Dolphins have razed their roster and have little in the way of clear cornerstones for the new regime. Might as well hang a "check back next fall" sign on Miami.
18. Arizona Cardinals
With first-year coach Mike LaFleur taking the reins to an offense that showed plenty of promise before a vacuum of support from the defense derailed the unit, Arizona has more going for it than some of its fellow cellar-dwellers. But the gap between the team and the rest of the NFC West, against whom the Cardinals went 0-6 in 2025, might be as expansive as it has ever been. Unless Arizona can escape with a road win over the Giants in Week 4, there's a distinct chance the franchise won't sniff its first win until November at the earliest.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking NFL teams from most to least likely to crash 2026 playoff field
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