The NFL is gearing up for an unusual playoff season. With 14 teams remaining, confidence is low across the board when it comes to predicting a Super Bowl champion. Traditional powerhouses like Philadelphia and Buffalo seem to have lost some spark, while newer contenders like Jacksonville and Chicago are still testing their resilience. And then there are the Steelers and Panthers, who, honestly, are just happy to still be in the mix.
What’s next for the teams watching from the sidelines? Which of the 18 franchises that missed the playoffs will establish a strong base to reclaim their standing by 2026? These are, in my opinion, the key teams. I didn’t make the playoffs.
For Detroit, it was a rough year without much relief. There were definitely some shifts happening off the field as the Lions tried to adjust their staff after losing Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. But, really, injuries plagued them at crucial positions.
Still, Detroit ended at 9-8, falling short of the playoffs in 2025 due to the strength of the NFC West. They were just one win away from postseason play, which really highlights their potential. It’s easy to overlook the fact that Jared Goff had a strong season, and many of their losses were in tight contests that could’ve swung the other way.
We often overanalyze football, or maybe we just need to remember that the Lions are among the better teams in the NFL, despite their misfortunes in 2025.
The term that fits 2025 for the Ravens is “disappointing,” and I don’t mean that lightly. The usual characteristics we expect from Baltimore teams just vanished, leaving a team that really underperformed.
Sure, Lamar Jackson’s injury played a part, but that’s just part of the struggle. Their defense fell apart after Mike McDonald moved to Seattle, and without a solid defense, their offense, which lacked depth aside from Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Zay Flowers, struggled to put points on the board.
However, there are glimmers of hope. The Ravens wrapped up the season with a +26 point differential, with a record of 8 wins and 9 losses, and five of their losses were by one point or less. This signals the potential for improvement and a way back to relevance. With an MVP-level quarterback and one of the top running backs, they have a solid starting point; they just need to polish some rough areas.
3rd place: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has reached a critical point, struggling on offense for too long. Without enough reliable weapons for Patrick Mahomes and with Travis Kelce’s performance tapering off, the team’s receiving corps is somewhat subpar.
They have quite a bit of work to do. The running back situation needs a complete overhaul, and finding a true outside receiver to complement Mahomes and support Rice if he struggles could solve some issues. It may sound daunting, but with Kansas City’s strong defense and having Mahomes on their side, they always have a shot.
Winning at 6-11 is no small feat, and one of the distinguishing features of the Chiefs in 2024 was their knack for winning tight contests. Unfortunately, that turned in 2025, with Kansas City on the losing end of nine games, most by a single point. Like the Ravens, they can certainly find their way back, but they’ll need a bit more roster tweaking than Baltimore.
4th place: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When the Buccaneers falter, especially after reintroducing key players, it highlights a deeper issue within the organization. It almost seems like the players realized they perhaps lack the necessary depth to make a playoff impact, and instead of rising to the occasion against a struggling NFC South rival, they settled.
For fans, there’s at least a silver lining: a reliable two-back running approach, promising receiver Emeka Egbuka, and a defense that still features talents like Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield Jr. The challenge lies in that this is a crucial juncture for the team, and significant changes may be on the horizon.
What will Mike Evans decide post-season? Will he stick with Tampa, seek another team, or call it a career? Lavonte David is nearing the end of his line, along with the defense’s one-and-done ends who were brought in to solidify the squad. And of course, there’s the big question about Baker Mayfield’s future. the man Or simply the man who managed to hang on for a few seasons.
There’s plenty to appreciate about the Buccaneers, but equally as many uncertainties heading into this crucial offseason.
5th place: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts navigated the season relatively well until Daniel Jones’ injury, which made it tough to maintain consistency. Despite these hurdles, it’s worth noting that Indianapolis shone as the best team in the NFL during the season’s first half when Jones was healthy.
I have faith in Shane Steichen, and it’s fortunate the team didn’t rush to appoint a new coach recently. We’re still waiting to see him with a top-tier quarterback, and he’s really maximizing the talents of the roster. The concern lies with Anthony Richardson; we expected ups and downs, but lately, it’s been quite a rollercoaster. Landing a reliable quarterback could really elevate this team.
The challenges seem to stem more from the front office and general management rather than the coaching staff, yet there’s potential to bounce back with Jonathan Taylor, some key players, and around $31 million in cap space.
6th place: Cincinnati Bengals
There’s not much more to elaborate on regarding the Bengals. They have a fantastic offense that’s let down by their supporting structures. Zac Taylor is struggling as a head coach, and the defense remains lackluster.
It’s frustrating because the Bengals should be better than this. very good. Not long ago, they were on an incredible playoff run, even reaching the Super Bowl, and were seen as the next big thing. But that momentum has faded. It increasingly feels like Joe Burrow’s career trajectory is winding up similarly to that of Carson Palmer, another great offensive talent who was unfortunately not supported properly by his team.
I still want to believe the Bengals are a strong team. Burrow holds a 5-3 record as a starter this season, and if he can remain healthy, there’s a chance they could still contend in the relatively weak NFC North and maybe even push for a playoff spot. That’s enough to include them on this list.
