NFL: Next season’s 5 new playoff teams

Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the golden NFL shield logo at the entrance to the 4th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the golden NFL shield logo at the entrance to the 4th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the golden NFL shield logo at the entrance to the 4th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the golden NFL shield logo at the entrance to the 4th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

18 of the last 19 seasons, five new teams have made the NFL playoffs. Who will they be this year?


18 of the past 19 seasons, five new teams have made the NFL playoffs. Since 12 franchises qualify for the postseason annually, that’s a turnover rate of 42 percent every year — some seasons even more.

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In the season of exception, 2012, there were four newbies. Death, taxes, and five new NFL playoff teams — it’s just about that certain.

Serving as testament to the success of the NFL’s philosophy — from the draft, to compensatory picks, free agency, revenue sharing, and everything in between — their design is for parity in the league.

It makes what the Patriots accomplish year after year and what teams like the Raiders fail to all the more astounding.

It’s never too early to look ahead to next season, so today, we’ll look at next season’s five new playoff participants.

But first, a quick list no team wishes to appear on — the five playoff teams from 2014 that will miss the cut this year.

Next: 5 Teams Who Will take A Step Back