One of the biggest reasons why the NFL is so great is how much parity there is in the league, especially when it comes to who makes the playoffs. While teams like the New England Patriots seem penciled in the playoffs before a season even starts, each year roughly half of the playoff participants are new. Dating back to 2011, here are the amount of new teams (out of 12) that have made the playoffs each year: six, four, five, five, four, seven, eight, seven. We are in the midst of an incredible three year run where more than half the teams in the NFL playoffs are new. Given that this eight year span averages to close to six new teams each year, here are the six most likely new NFL playoff teams for the 2019 season.
New NFL Playoff Teams For 2019 Season
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings endured a disappointing 8-7-1 season a year after making the NFC Championship game. The Kirk Cousins tenure did not get off to a great start, as he fell victim to shoddy offensive line play (Vikings guards allowed 77 pressures) and running back Dalvin Cook missed five games. To help bolster a sputtering offense, the Vikings hired Gary Kubiak to serve as an assistant head coach, while drafting Irv Smith Jr. (tight end from Alabama) and Garrett Bradbury (center from NC State).
Look for Cousins to have a big year in year two, as he has had more reps with wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
In addition, Minnesota re-signing linebacker Anthony Barr and having defensive end Everson Griffen healthy for a full year will help the continuity of a defense that is always among the league’s elite.
An NFC North Division championship is certainly a possibility in 2019, while a wild card berth is probably this team’s floor.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers stumbled to a 6-9-1 record last year amidst the clear riff in the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy was replaced by offensive-minded Matt LaFleur this off-season. LaFleur will attempt to maximize Rodgers’ final years in the NFL.
Green Bay selected cornerbacks with their top two picks (Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson) to help solidify a shaky secondary. The signings of Adrian Amos (safety), Preston Smith (outside linebacker), and Za’Darius Smith (outside linebacker) further Green Bay’s commitment to be elite on that side of the ball to complement Rodgers’ supreme arm talent.
For these first two predictions to come true, it means that the Chicago Bears will have to regress. That is exactly what could happen this year, as the Vikings and Packers will battle for the division with the other earning a wild card berth. The Packers should end up being one of the new NFL playoff teams this season.
Cleveland Browns
So much has been made of the Cleveland Browns off-season that it is hard to forget that the franchise has been the laughing stock of the league for so long. The emergence of Baker Mayfield in his rookie season already gave Browns fans reason for optimism. Then Cleveland added wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to pair with Jarvis Landry. The Browns also have a solid backfield rotation with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (once he comes back from suspension).
The defense is loaded with the additions of defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and defensive end Olivier Vernon via free agency and draft pick cornerback Greedy Williams. New coach Freddie Kitchens has a lot to work with. It’s almost inconceivable, given their history, but the Browns look primed to unseat the Baltimore Ravens as AFC North champions.
Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s easy to be a believe in the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 because of “addition by subtraction.” The team no longer has to face daily questions about Le’veon Bell’s holdout, or Antonio Brown‘s antics. Instead, both coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can block out all the noise and focus on how to get the most out of this football team.
JuJu Smith-Schuster should have a breakout season as he is now the number one receiver in Pittsburgh. The Steelers just missed the playoffs by a half game last year, and without distractions and off-field drama, they will make their run at the AFC North division title and at least quality for the postseason as a wild card team. Either way the Steelers should be one of the new NFL playoff teams this season.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons struggled mightily in 2018, finishing 7-9 and not seriously challenging for a playoff spot. Protecting quarterback Matt Ryan was the team’s biggest issue last season; Ryan was sacked 42 times. The Falcons, at least on paper, seemed to make quality moves in the draft this year, including adding two outside linebackers in the first round (Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary).
Atlanta brings in new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to try to revive a sputtering offense, while coach Dan Quinn will be in charge of defensive play calling. New coaching philosophies and a revamped offensive line are exactly what Atlanta needs to get over the hump and earn a playoff spot in 2019.
San Francisco 49ers
In Jimmy Garoppolo San Francisco 49ers fans trust. If the 49ers quarterback can stay healthy for a full season instead of just the three games he played last season, big things are in store for the 49ers. The Los Angeles Rams will most likely regress this year, especially with the unknown status of Todd Gurley’s knee. Expect the Seattle Seahawks to also take a step back this year, opening the door for the 49ers to make a run at the playoffs and division title.
George Kittle had a historic year at tight end last year, setting the single season record in receiving yards for the position. Kittle and Garoppolo will formulate a dynamic connection this year and Kittle will put up monster numbers once again. Nick Bosa should energize the defense which possesses a good blend of youth and experience. The 49ers will earn their first playoff berth since 2013.
Main Photo
BEREA, OH – MAY 22, 2019: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during an OTA practice on May 22, 2019 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by: 2019 Diamond Images/Getty Images)
