Teams set for a return to the postseason
The NFL is like the circle of life. Every year teams change, some get better some get worse. In such a competitive league, it’s only normal that certain teams get better from one season to another. There are teams that made it to the playoffs last year who won’t make it this year and some teams that were out of it last year will make it there this year. Several teams have made the necessary improvements to reach the postseason and we will see some new contenders this year.
The San Francisco 49ers are the popular pick to not only return to the playoffs, but to win the NFC West. A weakened Cardinals team opens the door for San Fran to take this division. They have a very tough defence, a solid running back group and a very young and talented receiving corps. The addition of Brian Westbrook helps their passing game as well as their running game. Frank Gore is an amazing power back while Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Pro-Bowl tight end Vernon Davis should make Alex Smith’s job at quarterback easier. The 49ers are well coached by Mike Singletary and play hard for him. With their pulverizing defence, a 10 win season seems attainable and the Bay will once again have a playoff team.
The Atlanta Falcons are viewed as a dark horse to not only return to the postseason, but to reach the Super Bowl. After a successful 2008 season in which they reached the playoffs with an 11-5 record, the Falcons struggled last season. While they still finished at 9-7 injuries and inconsistency doomed their season. Matt Ryan hit somewhat of a sophomore slump after a tremendous rookie campaign but he seems primed for a bounce-back year. With Michael Turner healthy again the Falcons running game should be restored which will translate into a return to the playoffs.
The Miami Dolphins also hit a speed bump after making the playoffs in 2008. They started the 2009 season 0-3 as Chad Pennington suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3. That gave the reins to Chad Henne who managed to do well, going 7-6 as the starter but injuries and disappointing play from their defence ultimately cost the Fins. They also lacked playmakers on offence once running back Ronnie Brown was lost to injury as well. The Dolphins responded by addressing all their needs. They needed a true number one receiver and a game changer on offence, hello Brandon Marshall. They needed to improve their defence, enter linebacker Karlos Dansby. Randy Starks was moved to nose-tackle, defensive end Jared Odrik and Chris Clemons is an upgrade on Gibril Wilson at free safety. The Fins may be the most balanced team in the AFC and that should lead to them contending for a playoff spot, possibly their division title.
The Tennessee Titans wouldn’t be in this discussion had they not started their season so poorly. While they finished at a respectable 8-8, their 0-6 start was just too much to overcome. The season still has to be regarded as a disappointment after the Titans went 13-3 in 2008 and were the AFC’s number one seed in the playoffs. The good news was they got to see that Vince Young was worth keeping as he took over as the starter of the winless Titans and went 8-2 in his ten starts to close the season. His progress and maturity are dually noted in training camp and combined with Chris Johnson and the improved receiving corps, the Titans offence can be a threat. Their defence should be improved as well as they have gotten younger and faster. They also have a year experience with defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil. It’s rare that Jeff Fisher coaches two straight non-playoff teams so expect the Titans to build off their 8-2 finish last year and find themselves back in the postseason.
The New York Giants should also be back strong as they were the NFC’s number one seed in 2008. Their defence struggled as they collapsed in December and fell to 8-8. The Giants started 5-0 last year but their defence could find their form as they lost too many important divisional games down the stretch. This year, Eli Manning is poised for a big year and their defence should be able to bounce back as they have improved at linebacker and in the secondary.
These teams should be able to extend their season through January thanks to their improvements and development. The league is always changing and new teams come out and surprise us every year. There are likely more teams that no one is expecting to do anything that will come out and surprise us. These teams stand out and look like they’re ready to take the next step.
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