Four 2022 playoff teams that could miss the postseason this year
The rate of repeat playoff teams has been on the decline over the last two seasons, and that trend could continue this year.
Here are four teams — two for each conference — that made the playoffs last season but could be on the outside looking in this year:
Los Angeles Chargers
Sure, the Chargers were 10-7 last year, but seven of those wins came in one-score games that could have just as easily not gone in their favor. Many around the NFL are convinced that head coach Brandon Staley is not the guy who will take the Chargers to a Super Bowl, stating he’s simply the benefactor of being bailed out by quarterback Justin Herbert.
Given Staley’s background as a top-tier defensive coordinator, Los Angeles has finished 20th and 23rd, respectively, the last two seasons on that side of the ball and allowing nearly 25 points per game over that span. While Herbert is good enough to carry the Chargers to the postseason, if Staley doesn’t get results out of the defense, the Chargers could be watching the playoffs from home.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins went as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went last season, and if he has another injury-plagued year, it’s tough to see them squeaking into the playoffs again. Especially with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and New York Jets on their heels.
Miami returns much of the same roster from last year with a few notable additions including Jalen Ramsey, Chosen Anderson, Isaiah Wynn and David Long Jr. The team also had just four draft picks, and outside of second-round cornerback Cam Smith or third-round running back Devon Achane, it’s difficult to see any rookies being instant contributors.
Head coach Mike McDaniel has a reputation for being a bit of a mad scientist, so if anyone can maximize Miami’s roster it’s him. But the offensive line didn’t receive any significant upgrades and outside of adding Achane, the running game is the same unit that ranked 25th last year. So, sadly, the team’s success largely rests on Tagovailoa’s shoulders.
New York Giants
After a 7-2 start last year, the Giants lost five of their final eight games, tied the Washington Commanders in Week 13 and struggled to find any semblance of consistency on both sides of the ball.
Keeping quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley in the fold will help, but Jones has four new pass catchers to become familiar with — Darren Waller, Jalin Hyatt, Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder — and first-round cornerback Deonte Banks and free-agent linebacker Bobby Okereke were the only real additions to a defense that ranked 25th overall and 18th in scoring.
The Eagles should repeat as NFC East champions, and Dallas will have a strong team as well. If the Commanders get decent production out of quarterback Sam Howell, their No. 3-ranked defense could keep them in most games and have them right on the playoff bubble too. The Giants could fall victim to the rest of their division improving while they stayed idle.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs went 8-9 with Tom Brady under center and Leonard Fournette in the backfield, so fans should brace themselves for an ugly season of the Baker Mayfield/Kyle Trask show. While Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are two great No. 1 and 2 receivers, Tampa Bay has no running game to support whoever the QB is and an offensive line that lost starting tackle Donovan Smith and guard Shaq Mason.
While the Bucs did rank ninth in total defense a season ago, they lost key contributors in cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and safety Keanu Neal and didn’t do much to improve the defense aside from first-round defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and third-round defensive end Yaya Diaby. The Panthers, Saints and Falcons all improved from last season, and unfortunately, the Bucs are the only team in the NFC South that got worse.
