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In this NFL, so much parity exists that a team can become an overnight sensation, a powerhouse making a playoff run after missing the playoffs completely the year before. It happened last year, as a matter of fact. The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks missed the playoffs two seasons ago, and so did their opponent, the New England Patriots.
Altogether, six NFL teams that failed to make the playoffs the year before made the playoffs last year. The NFL has a little-known streak of 36 seasons with four teams in the postseason that were left out prior. With that in mind, let's look at a couple of teams that we think have a playoff run in them for the 2026 season.
Atlanta Falcons
It seems the expectations are astronomical every single season for the Atlanta Falcons, and they never live up to them. After finishing 8-9 last year in a very competitive NFC South, the division is once again wide open, and Atlanta is expected to finish at the top of it once again. The team has weapons on offense and has drastically improved on defense.
All Atlanta is missing is consistent QB play, and they haven't had that in years since Matt Ryan was leading the charge last in 2021. Whoever may be under center, Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa, both need to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders, or it's going to be a ninth consecutive year the Falcons are on the outside looking in when January rolls around.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts started 8-2 last season under Daniel Jones, then lost their final seven games as things went south. They relied heavily on 44-year-old Philip Rivers to come out of retirement and drag them out of the fire. He played well for coming off the couch, but the hole was just too deep. Can they get back the magic and momentum in 2026? Possibly if you're an optimist. In all fairness, five of their last seven losses were one-score games.
The Colts did not make many notable additions, but once everyone is healthy, they have enough firepower to make another run at it.
Dallas Cowboys
Here we go again with the "this is our year chatter," but, honestly, the Cowboys should be in the playoffs every season with the roster they have, and I get the fans' frustrations, truly I do. Dak Prescott had another great year that went nowhere. The defense was atrocious, giving up 30 points a game on numerous occasions. They had a great draft to revamp the defense, and may be a little young, but with names like Caleb Downs on your side, the wins will come.
The issue will be seeing how well the Cowboys play early after being dealt a pretty tough schedule for 2026. The first two months of the season will be a huge factor in their playoff hopes.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: These 3 non-playoff teams last season could stun the NFL in 2026
Continue reading...
Altogether, six NFL teams that failed to make the playoffs the year before made the playoffs last year. The NFL has a little-known streak of 36 seasons with four teams in the postseason that were left out prior. With that in mind, let's look at a couple of teams that we think have a playoff run in them for the 2026 season.
Atlanta Falcons
It seems the expectations are astronomical every single season for the Atlanta Falcons, and they never live up to them. After finishing 8-9 last year in a very competitive NFC South, the division is once again wide open, and Atlanta is expected to finish at the top of it once again. The team has weapons on offense and has drastically improved on defense.
All Atlanta is missing is consistent QB play, and they haven't had that in years since Matt Ryan was leading the charge last in 2021. Whoever may be under center, Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa, both need to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders, or it's going to be a ninth consecutive year the Falcons are on the outside looking in when January rolls around.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts started 8-2 last season under Daniel Jones, then lost their final seven games as things went south. They relied heavily on 44-year-old Philip Rivers to come out of retirement and drag them out of the fire. He played well for coming off the couch, but the hole was just too deep. Can they get back the magic and momentum in 2026? Possibly if you're an optimist. In all fairness, five of their last seven losses were one-score games.
The Colts did not make many notable additions, but once everyone is healthy, they have enough firepower to make another run at it.
Dallas Cowboys
Here we go again with the "this is our year chatter," but, honestly, the Cowboys should be in the playoffs every season with the roster they have, and I get the fans' frustrations, truly I do. Dak Prescott had another great year that went nowhere. The defense was atrocious, giving up 30 points a game on numerous occasions. They had a great draft to revamp the defense, and may be a little young, but with names like Caleb Downs on your side, the wins will come.
The issue will be seeing how well the Cowboys play early after being dealt a pretty tough schedule for 2026. The first two months of the season will be a huge factor in their playoff hopes.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: These 3 non-playoff teams last season could stun the NFL in 2026
Continue reading...
