5 likeliest NFL teams to go worst-to-first in 2020

The Washington Redskins don’t have a great chance of winning the NFC East, but it’s certainly more possible than the Cincinnati Bengals getting it done in the AFC North. However, there are three things Washington has going for it that could help make this leap up the standings possible: A new head coach, a winnable division and the No. 2 overall pick.

By having Ron Rivera in charge of the team, Washington finally has a chance to be a functional NFL franchise. He did phenomenal work during his nine-year run with the Carolina Panthers. They were never as consistent than when he was running the show. Expect Rivera to be the greatest impetus in this cultural turnaround in the nation’s capital. It is so huge the Redskins have him.

As for the NFC East, we know the Philadelphia Eagles will be good, the Dallas Cowboys will disappoint and the New York Giants are rebuilding. In short, there’s only one team it will be very difficult to be better than next year and they are the Eagles. But should Carson Wentz and the offense sputter, there is a way Washington can win the NFC East with a near-.500 overall record.

With the No. 2 overall, Washington can draft either Chase Young or Tua Tagovailoa. Either former Heisman finalist will do wonders on their respective sides of the ball. Should Washington want to trade the No. 2 pick, they can get a hefty return for the selection to help Rivera rebuild his new team on the fly. The Eagles must screw up spectacularly, but there is a pathway for Washington.