2024 NFL playoffs: One reason for optimism for every team that failed to make the postseason

The 2024 NFL playoff picture is set, with 14 different teams guaranteed a ticket to the postseason. But as contenders like the Cowboys, 49ers and Ravens gear up for a run at the Lombardi Trophy, what about the 18 who will be left to watch from home? While they’ll have to wait at least another year to play meaningful January football, there’s reason for many to have hope.

Here’s one reason for each of the non-playoff clubs to be optimistic going into 2024:

They almost can’t lose at quarterback. Justin Fields has flashed enough to warrant a longer-term look as their starter. But if they do sell, they’ll get their pick of the 2024 prospects atop the draft, plus another top-10 pick and whatever Fields fetches in a hypothetical trade. Of course, they’d still need to make the right choice under center, but you can’t say they’re not well positioned.

Joe Burrow is still around, and the backup plan isn’t bad. There’s a real conversation to be had about Burrow’s durability and/or his protection, but as long as he’s the QB, title hopes are justified. And Jake Browning fared better than expected in an extended look as the fill-in, meaning Cincinnati may not have to spend big for insurance.

Sean Payton is finally set to build things his way. This may not be a good thing in the long run, but we already saw for much of 2022-2023 that the pre-Payton setup, with Russell Wilson as the figurehead, wasn’t destined to go the distance. At least with Wilson on track to exit, the man in charge can proceed to put his true spin on key positions.

They turned a corner down the stretch. After starting 1-8, Arizona finished with three wins in its final five games, and Kyler Murray even flashed some legit progress under center. The 2023 season was always going to be a slog with their stripped-down lineup, but Jonathan Gannon had them fighting to the finish line.

A fresh voice is finally on the way. Justin Herbert…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-playoffs-one-reason-for-optimism-for-every-team-that-failed-to-make-the-postseason/

Author : Cody Benjamin

Publish date : 2024-01-10 14:54:12

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