Fansided

NFL 2015: Five new teams that will make playoffs

By Matt Verderame

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The National Football League is constantly trumpeting its parity, and for good reason. Perhaps more so than any other sport, there is a constant change from year-to-year in the standings. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 2-14 and had the worst record in the NFL last season, but would not be a shocking postseason participant.

This fact is what makes the NFL so popular in so many cities. In basketball, fans know their team has absolutely no chance without a major star or two. While a good quarterback is necessary in football, a 5,000-yard passer is not needed. Most fan bases enter the campaign believing they can win a playoff game or two, if not the Super Bowl.

In 2014, the playoffs teams were the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys in the NFC. In the AFC, we saw the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. Of those 12 teams, only seven also qualified in 2013.

To keep things consistent, we looked at the offseason’s that each team had, along with their strength of schedule and general trending direction of the team (age, etc). After breaking down the numbers and probabilities, we came up with the five teams most likely to reach the playoffs after missing in 2014.

Next: 5. St. Louis Rams

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