Every team has their expectations set, so which three teams are set to rise in the upcoming season?
Every team’s goal is to win the Super Bowl, but other teams’ main objective is to just scrape by with a low-seed playoff spot. With two new playoff spots added for the upcoming season, we’ll be able to a lot more playoff action than we ever have and that’ll give teams who didn’t make it last year an extra incentive to play their hearts out.
Most teams have improved, either by filling depth spots, signing star free-agents, or drafting their needs, yet a few have most certainly declined. That being said, here are three teams that I believe will rise this upcoming season and possibly snag a playoff spot.
Miami Dolphins
Before you start questioning my motives, I don’t believe they’ll make the playoffs unless they somehow earn the last seed. That being said, they’ll dramatically improve over a few key reasons as firstly, they beefed up their defense.
The Dolphins added on a prolific corner in Byron Jones and snagged a star in the draft in Noah Igbinoghene, and along with having a good front seven lead by Jerome Baker and Kyle Van Noy, they’ll be surprising offenses for multiple games to come.
Secondly, the Dolphins drafted Alabama’s star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. There has been lots of hype around him to the point where his own teammates are truly praising him. Devante Parker states that he “(has a) pretty good spin on the ball” and Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki stated that, “for him to come in here and really grasp the playbook, grasp the feel of the locker room and then go out there and make plays and put the ball where it needs to be, I’m super excited about his future.”
Tua has yet to throw a pick in practice and he has been making some “good decisions” according to Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.
Detroit Lions
This team could become a playoff team if the season/players don’t fall apart like last season. The Lions will be able to rip and tear through defenses with ease if Stafford doesn’t go down like he did last season with fractured bones in his back.
Stafford will have the help of an outstanding trio of receivers who can make star-stunning plays and they are Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, and Marvin Jones along with T.J Hockenson, who had a decent first year.
We also can’t forget about the promising running back duo of D’andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson who could bulldoze defenses with their speed and strength. Finally, their defense has drastically improved with 1st-round draftee Jeff Okudah and linebacker Jamie Collins. This team will be exciting to watch in a few weeks!
Arizona Cardinals
In the treacherous area known as the NFC West, the Cardinals have an amazing shot to sneak into the playoffs. With them being able to trade for DeAndre Hopkins and able to keep the key pieces of their offense, they’ll be able to shine greater than they did last season with hopes of Kyler Murray having a spectacular season.
The defense shouldn’t be pushed aside as they were able to draft linebacker Isaiah Simmons, which adds on to a defense that already has two impressive stars in Patrick Peterson and Chandler Jones. The Cardinals have bolstered themselves on both sides of the ball.
In closing, these are the teams that I believe will rise next season! All three of these teams could make the playoffs if everything falls into their laps, but it’ll be a tough task for all three of these teams. Guess we just have to wait and see the results!
Be sure to leave a comment down below to join the discussion. Thanks for reading and have an amazing day!
