At least four — and usually more — new teams make the NFL playoffs every single year. Five particular non-playoff teams from 2015 look primed to make big leaps in 2016, and all five will have big opportunities to declare themselves contenders in Week 1.
A breakdown…
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville’s young offense looks ready to put up big numbers in 2016, and the defense has made some huge additions as well. Can they make the playoffs for the first time since 2007? A strong performance at home against Aaron Rodgers and the mighty Green Bay Packers would help.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs are hoping 2015 No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston can take a big leap forward in his second season. He has a hell of a lot of support on both sides of the ball, so there’s no reason this team can’t push for its first playoff appearance since 2007. A road victory over the division rival Atlanta Falcons would be huge.
Tennessee Titans: Meanwhile, the Titans are hoping 2015 No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota can also take a big leap forward in his second season. And Tennessee’s new-look, bruising offense has a chance to do some serious damage in 2016. If they want to make their first playoff appearance since 2008, a Week 1 victory over the reigning NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings would send a strong message.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders have a hell of a three-headed monster on offense, and with the addition of Bruce Irvin the defensive front seven looks downright scary. On paper, this is a playoff-caliber team. Can they actually get there for the first time since 2002? Beat the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome Sunday and folks will begin to wonder.
New York Giants: The Giants have a two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback and a superstar wide receiver, but they were sunk by the league’s lowest-rated defense in 2015 and they haven’t been to the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl in 2011. They’ll debut a brand-new, expensive defense Sunday against the division rival Cowboys in Dallas. A win there would be massive.
