Dynasties are famously rare in the NFL. The dominance of Tom Brady's Patriots is far and away the exception rather than the rule, and Kansas City's modern dynasty is proving it through 12 weeks of the 2025 season.
But for some bottom feeding teams, this relative unpredictability reeks of opportunity. Properly prepared, there is always a small collection of bottom-feeding teams that can threaten to turn into the 2025 Colts. And these are the three that are probably just one change from turning from zero's to heroes:
New York Giants
Change: More aggressive coaching
You know, for all the drama that has surrounded the New York Giants' 2025 season, what has gotten lost in the shuffle was that they had the toughest strength of schedule going into the season. So in truth, the only thing that needs to change for the Giants to improve their record in 2026 at all is simply not having the toughest schedule in the league.
As for what the team itself can do to improve — and actually make the playoffs — it all starts with the coaching staff. Going back to the drama that's surrounded their season, there truly wouldn't be so many jobs on the line if Big Blue hadn't shown so much potential. This team's ceiling includes beating the reigning Super Bowl champions. The roster is ready. Their coaching staff needs to coach to win, especially whoever ends up replacing Mike Kafka and Shane Bowen.
Minnesota Vikings
Change: A veteran quarterback
Listen, after one season, it is way too early to give up on J.J. McCarthy — as tempting as it is. Through 12 weeks, J.J. McCarthy has posted historically awful rookie stats, including a 25.6 QBR, completion percentage of 54.1, just over 150 passing yards per game, and a 6:10 TD/INT ratio.
The Vikings as a whole are not much better — at least relative to preseason predictions giving them a near 50/50 shot at the playoffs. 4-7 isn't a terrible record, but in the brutal NFC North it's a death sentence. This team is simply too talented, too accomplished, and too expensive to be led by a project as green as McCarthy.
Regardless of whether or not he could ever be ready, Minnesota needs a quarterback to bridge the gap between the Kirk Cousins era and whoever they decide to be a part of their future. Put a Jacoby Brissett or any other stable veteran in charge of what could be the best skill position personnel in the NFL, and the Vikings are right back in the playoff hunt for 2026.
Cleveland Browns
Change: Reinvesting in the offensive line
The Browns have the longest shot at making the playoffs out of all three of these teams, but they also have the clearest path. Coaching is a gamble. Quarterback play might not matter with how bad Minnesota's offensive line is. But Cleveland's defense gives them a massive advantage over almost every team they play.
Despite their offense posting the 21st-ranked time of possession, Cleveland's defense has still managed to allow the second-fewest total yards per game. Quinshon Judkins looks like a star in the making. They have a pair of wins over the Rams and Eagles that prove they can win, if in an ugly fashion. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel look competent if nothing else, and Cleveland can also draft Dante Moore for a quarterback with pop. The only weak link for them, if it can be called that, is a bad offensive line that is also old and set to leave in free agency.
For a two-win team through 12 weeks, all the Browns really need to do is control time of possession and move the chains. And all that requires of game manager(s) they have under center is simply for the offensive line to buy time for quick reads and to create gaps for Judkins.