There’s one guarantee in every NFL season — at least one team will come out of nowhere and achieve contender status. This could be a team going from the bottom of a division to the playoffs or could be one embarking on a deep playoff run after being on the cusp of the postseason in the prior season.
Last season’s Detroit Lions perfectly fit the bill of the latter, making it to the NFC Championship Game after falling just shy of a postseason berth in 2022. Injured players healing, new additions, rookies emerging and/or a key player taking his game to another level are all contributing factors that trigger NFL surprise stories.
Which teams are candidates to make the playoffs in 2024 after missing out a year earlier?
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are often a sexy pick as a team to make noise going into a season, and they often disappoint. But now with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, there’s reason to believe star quarterback Justin Herbert will be even better.
And while the Chiefs are poised to run the AFC West again en route to pursuing a third straight Super Bowl, the rest of the division is wide-open. So as questions continue to surround the Broncos and Raiders, a healthy Herbert could advance his game to another level under the tutelage of a former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback as his new coach.
Cincinnati Bengals/New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets technically qualify and should be an obvious contender, especially if the offense can come close to matching the defense. However, the Bengals deserve recognition, too. A Joe Burrow-led Bengals team has already proved it can hang with anyone when at full strength.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are arguably the best wide receiver duo in football. But unlike the Jets, Cincinnati’s defense could hold the team back from fighting for another Super Bowl appearance.
Chicago Bears
The ascension of another star quarterback could be why the Chicago Bears surprise the NFC in 2024. Despite playing in a tough division with the Packers and Lions expected to battle it out for the NFC North crown, the Bears might be able to match anyone offensively, at least on paper.
If everything goes as planned, the Bears, a franchise known for defense, will enjoy their most prolific quarterback ever in Caleb Williams. Factor in veteran receivers Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore and rookie Rome Odunze and Chicago could be a dangerous team that’s difficult to stop. It’s also very possible Williams and the Bears are still a year away from fully clicking on all cylinders.
Atlanta Falcons
Even though some were confused when the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick, Atlanta sent a clear message to the rest of the league when it signed four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins.
Assuming Cousins stays healthy after an injury-plagued 2023, the Falcons offense should be potent with receiving threats like Kyle Pitts and Drake London and Bijan Robinson on the ground.
