- The Chiefs and the Eagles might be again: Philadelphia allowed -0.09 EPA per play on move performs, the highest mark within the NFL. With a dominant offensive line and a harmful run recreation, there’s little cause to imagine the Eagles gained’t return to the playoffs in 2025. As for the Chiefs, as lengthy as they’ve Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, Andy Reid as head coach and Steve Spagnuolo working the protection, they’re as near a lock for the playoffs as any workforce within the NFL.
- Steelers face an uphill battle: The Steelers took benefit of a comparatively simple schedule within the first half of the 2024 season however struggled down the stretch, shedding their last 5 video games in opposition to harder competitors. Their prime precedence this offseason must be discovering a long-term resolution at quarterback, although not one of the potential choices seem significantly promising for the long run.
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As every workforce’s playoff run involves an finish, followers naturally flip their consideration to subsequent season and look ahead to one other postseason look. Nevertheless, historical past tells us that gained’t be the case for all 14 groups that made the playoffs this yr — simply as 4 playoff groups from final season did not return in 2024, some by a major margin.
With that in thoughts, we consider how doubtless every 2024 playoff workforce is to safe a postseason berth in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers: Reasonable
The Chargers have a transparent path to enchancment in 2025—if they will shore up the inside offensive line and add weapons for Justin Herbert. Retaining edge rusher Khalil Mack also needs to be a precedence, because the soon-to-be 34-year-old is anticipated to hit free company regardless of incomes a 90.2 PFF general grade that ranked fifth amongst edge defenders.
Even with these potential upgrades, Los Angeles faces a tough highway forward in Jim Harbaugh’s second season. Competing in one of many NFL’s hardest divisions, which incorporates the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, will make a playoff return something however simple.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Pittsburgh Steelers: Low
The Steelers took benefit of a comparatively simple schedule within the first half of the 2024 season however struggled down the stretch, shedding their last 5 video games in opposition to harder competitors. Their prime precedence this offseason must be discovering a long-term resolution at quarterback, although not one of the potential choices seem significantly promising for the long run.
Defensive points additionally plagued Pittsburgh, significantly within the secondary. Of the 9 defensive backs who performed greater than 100 snaps, just one earned a PFF general grade above 70.0.
To make issues tougher, the Steelers play in one of many NFL’s hardest divisions, competing with the Ravens, Bengals and Browns for a postseason spot.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Denver Broncos: Reasonable
A lot of what applies to the Chargers additionally holds true for the Broncos. There’s no cause Denver ought to take a step again in Bo Nix’s second NFL season, particularly given how nicely his offensive line carried out in 2024. The unit led the league with a 91.4 PFF pass-blocking effectivity score, permitting simply 98 whole pressures—together with 14 sacks—on 649 move performs.
With further weapons for Nix, the offense may take one other step ahead, and the protection may obtain reinforcements. Nevertheless, given the power of their division, a return to the postseason in 2025 is much from assured.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Inexperienced Bay Packers: Reasonable
Many anticipated the Packers to take a step ahead in 2024, fueled by their younger vast receivers constructing on their promising 2023 campaigns. Nevertheless, that progress by no means absolutely materialized, elevating questions on whether or not this group has already hit its ceiling—a possible difficulty for Inexperienced Bay shifting ahead.
Defensively, the workforce additionally appeared to regress, significantly in its move rush. On performs and not using a blitz, the Packers generated stress on simply 31.5% of move performs, rating nineteenth within the NFL.
With each the Lions and Vikings doubtlessly taking a step again, the Packers may benefit inside the division. Nevertheless, they might want to make key enhancements on each side of the ball to reclaim the potential they confirmed two years in the past.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Reasonable
Baker Mayfield has revived his profession over the previous two seasons and notably earned a career-high 85.9 PFF general grade in 2024, seventh amongst quarterbacks. Nevertheless, following the departures of Dave Canales and Liam Coen, he’ll now be working along with his third offensive coordinator in three years, which is a priority for the Buccaneers heading into 2025.
Past teaching adjustments, Tampa Bay should additionally deal with its vast receiver state of affairs. Chris Godwin is anticipated to hit free company, whereas Mike Evans will flip 32 this summer season, creating uncertainty at a key place.
If Mayfield can replicate his 2024 efficiency, the Buccaneers have a powerful probability to win the NFC South once more. Nevertheless, the Falcons and Panthers may present a harder problem than lately.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Minnesota Vikings: Reasonable
Minnesota’s 2025 season will largely hinge on how rapidly and successfully J.J. McCarthy adapts to life as an NFL quarterback in his first yr because the Vikings’ starter. To assist him succeed, Minnesota should shore up the inside of its offensive line, as poor safety may derail the offense—particularly with an inexperienced quarterback beneath middle.
The Vikings’ inside trio allowed stress on 18.8% of move performs within the common season, the second-highest price within the NFL in 2024. Whereas McCarthy has the good thing about taking part in with one of many league’s finest receiving trios in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, he’ll want sufficient time within the pocket to get the ball into their fingers persistently.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Houston Texans: Excessive
Over Houston’s two playoff video games, C.J. Stroud strengthened why there was a lot optimism about his future heading into 2024. Whereas he didn’t fairly replicate his rookie-year dominance, he completed the season on a excessive observe—an encouraging signal for Texans followers.
Past Stroud’s progress, Houston boasts a younger, gifted protection with a number of blue-chip gamers. If the Texans can keep wholesome at vast receiver and enhance their offensive line, they’ve the potential to take one other step ahead. Given the state of the AFC South, that is likely to be all they should solidify themselves as division favorites heading into 2025.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Detroit Lions: Reasonable
The Lions earned the No. 1 seed in 2024, and based mostly purely on roster expertise, there’s little cause to count on a drop-off. In actual fact, if the protection stays wholesome and Aidan Hutchinson stays on the sphere all season, Detroit might be even higher in 2025.
Nevertheless, the workforce has suffered vital teaching losses this offseason, most notably offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. If the Lions can discover the fitting replacements, they need to nonetheless have sufficient expertise to win the NFC North and compete for the highest seed once more.
That stated, with a lot turnover on the teaching employees, Detroit’s final ceiling in 2025 stays a significant query mark.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Los Angeles Rams: Reasonable
Whereas the Rams have a younger, promising protection, participant growth shouldn’t be at all times linear. The unit might take a step ahead in 2025, however assuming across-the-board enchancment can be comparatively unrealistic.
On the offensive facet, Los Angeles faces a number of key issues. Even when Matthew Stafford returns at age 37, his 74.7 PFF general grade ranked simply twenty first within the NFL this previous season. Moreover, the Rams may lose left deal with Alaric Jackson in free company, and there’s a reasonable probability that Cooper Kupp has performed his final down for the franchise.
These challenges, mixed with the truth that they share a division with a San Francisco 49ers workforce that might be even stronger if more healthy, make the Rams’ path again to the playoffs in 2025 an uphill battle.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Baltimore Ravens: Excessive
The Ravens fielded arguably probably the most gifted roster within the NFL in 2024. Whereas Lamar Jackson’s playoff efficiency and ball safety have drawn scrutiny, he persistently proved through the common season that he belongs within the prime tier of quarterbacks. Over the previous three common seasons, his 94.6 PFF general grade and 91.3 PFF passing grade each rank second amongst all quarterbacks in that span.
Baltimore additionally retains offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who maximized the Ravens’ passing assault in 2024. Moreover, Derrick Henry is about to return, additional solidifying an offense that ought to as soon as once more be among the many league’s finest.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Washington Commanders: Reasonable
Whereas it’s simple to be enthusiastic about Jayden Daniels’ rookie season, C.J. Stroud’s 2024 marketing campaign serves as a reminder that younger quarterbacks typically face challenges of their second yr. Whereas Washington’s offense has room to enhance, proper guard Sam Cosmi’s damage may linger into the 2025 common season, creating uncertainty up entrance.
The larger concern, nonetheless, is the Commanders‘ protection, which wants vital upgrades to make the workforce a real contender. Washington’s inside and edge defenders gained simply 33.0% of their pass-rush snaps in 2024, rating twenty sixth within the NFL.
Enjoying in the identical division because the Eagles will make successful the NFC East tough — although not inconceivable.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Buffalo Payments: Excessive
This was purported to be a rebuilding yr for the Payments on each side of the ball, but they nonetheless got here one drive away from the Tremendous Bowl.
If something, 2024 as soon as once more underscored simply how excessive of a ground Josh Allen supplies for Buffalo. Over the previous 4 seasons (together with playoffs), Allen has earned a 96.0 PFF general grade, the best amongst all NFL quarterbacks in that span.
Past Allen’s elite play, the Payments have quietly rebuilt their offensive line, turning it into one of many league’s finest pass-protecting items. In 2024, Buffalo’s offensive line ranked fourth within the common season with an 88.1 PFF pass-blocking effectivity score, permitting simply 116 whole pressures — together with a league-best 4 sacks — on 581 move performs.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Philadelphia Eagles: Excessive
The Eagles have efficiently transitioned from an growing old roster to 1 crammed with younger, high-upside expertise, significantly on protection. Gamers of their first three seasons accounted for six,382 defensive snaps in 2024, the third-most within the NFL, trailing solely the Jaguars and Giants.
It’s not only a younger protection — it’s additionally one of many league’s finest. Philadelphia allowed -0.09 EPA per play on move performs, the highest mark within the NFL. When mixed with a dominant offensive line and a harmful run recreation, there’s little cause to imagine the Eagles gained’t be again within the playoffs in 2025.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Excessive
There isn’t a must overcomplicate this.
So long as the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, Andy Reid as head coach and Steve Spagnuolo working the protection, they’re as near a lock for the playoffs as any workforce within the NFL.
Click on right here to see offseason priorities for each NFL playoff workforce that fell in need of Tremendous Bowl 59
