NFL betting futures: Predicting teams to snap playoff droughts, plus $4,650 in sportsbook bonuses
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When Greek philosopher Heraclitus said the only constant in life is change, do you think he realized it would one day be the perfect way to summarize the NFL’s yearly playoff picture?
In past seasons, we’ve seen the regulars continue earning playoff berths. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers.
But a formerly downtrodden team breaks a lengthy playoff drought each year, shocking NFL fans and bettors. To avoid any surprises in the 2023 NFL season, we’ve identified three teams that will break through and make the playoffs while cashing in postseason qualifier betting markets.
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Fans love the NFL due to its unpredictable nature. Each year, a new superstar emerges, a rookie head coach surpasses expectations, and players with sky-high ceilings fall short of the standard.
These are a few ingredients that help new squads emerge as playoff contenders.
In 2022, the most shocking team to snap a postseason drought was the New York Giants, who went six seasons without a playoff game. Rookie head coach Brian Daboll helped Daniel Jones tally career-highs in the passing game.
Saquon Barkley’s resurgent 2022 was equally important, as the 26-year-old earned a Pro Bowl selection and placed third in Comeback Player of the Year voting.
The Miami Dolphins also terminated its six-year playoff absence thanks to first-year head coach Mike McDaniel. Despite multiple injuries to Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle formed one of the NFL’s most-lethal aerial attacks, leading to great success in Miami.
The Jacksonville Jaguars last made the postseason in 2017, but Trevor Lawrence brought hope back to Duval County in 2022. Christian Kirk and Travis Etienne also played significant roles in ending the five-year playoff drought, combining for 13 touchdowns.
The Jets faithful have dealt with a miserable stretch of seasons, as Gang Green’s most recent playoff berth came in 2010. For reference, the song Like A G6 was that year’s top hit, so New Yorkers are due for football excitement.
The Jets’ high hopes come thanks to the offseason acquisition of Aaron Rodgers, who has been the focal point of HBO’s Hard Knocks series. The four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion’s top target is Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.
Breece Hall was dominant in 2022 before suffering a torn ACL. Earlier this week, New York signed Dalvin Cook to hold down the fort until Hall returns to full strength.
Complementing the Jets’ plethora of offensive weapons is a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest points per game. Leading the way is Quinnen Williams, who tallied a career-best 12 sacks last season. Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner snagged two interceptions and led the league with 20 pass deflections.
The Monsters of the Midway have just two postseason appearances in the last 12 years, with the most recent coming in 2020.
The Bears have traditionally been a defensive-minded team with subpar offensive play. But the tides are turning in Chicago thanks to the emergence of Justin Fields, who had the second-most single-season QB rushing yards in 2022.
The only thing lacking in the Bears’ offense was a respectable passing attack, which general manager Ryan Poles addressed by selecting OT Darnell Wright with the 10th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago also traded for former Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore, creating a three-headed monster with Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney.
The 2022 Bears’ defense allowed 27 points per game, ranking last in the NFL. Chicago improved on that side of the ball by signing Yannick Ngakoue, Tremaine Edmunds, and T.J. Edwards in free agency.
With Rodgers out of Green Bay, the NFC North is up for grabs in 2023.
The 2017 Falcons clinched a playoff spot, but no such luck in the five seasons since.
Fresh faces and competing in the NFL’s worst division have breathed life into Atlanta’s fanbase.
Second-year passer Desmond Ridder takes over QB1 duties after learning behind Marcus Mariota last season. The Falcons also added Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL Draft, who holds the shortest odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Atlanta bolstered its defense greatly this offseason, adding Calais Campbell, Bud Dupree, Jessie Bates, and Jeff Okudah.
The Falcons benefit from playing in the NFC South, which the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won last year with an 8-9 record. Now that Tom Brady is in retirement (for now), the South is there for the taking.
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