[h=1]Top 5 playoff bounceback teams[/h][h=3]Cowboys, Steelers among non-playoff teams that can make postseason in '13
By Herm Edwards | ESPN Insider
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Even though we are in the midst of another exciting NFL playoffs, it's never too early to start looking ahead to next season. After all, this season gave us two examples of why every NFL fan base should have hope for 2013.
The Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings had a combined record of 5-27 last season. The Colts drafted Andrew Luck, hired Chuck Pagano, started a multitude of rookies on offense and made the playoffs at 11-5. The Vikings drafted Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith, Adrian Peterson had an unbelievable season and Minnesota made the playoffs at 10-6. Even though both teams lost during wild-card weekend, not many people expected they would make it to the postseason.
Anything can happen in the NFL, and that's what makes it so special. With that in mind, here are my very early predictions for the top five teams that can make the playoffs in 2013 after missing out this season.
[h=3]1. Dallas Cowboys[/h]
As I wrote earlier this season, the Cowboys are a talented team. There's no question about that. Tony Romo played a bad game in Week 17, but Dallas has a lot of pieces in place on both sides of the ball, including a talented cornerback duo in Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. Claiborne took his lumps this season, as all rookie CBs do, but he's got a bright future in this league. Plus, Dallas' defense was significantly weakened with the loss of four defensive starters to injured reserve, most notably rising star middle linebacker Sean Lee.
Dallas will likely let Felix Jones walk, but it needs DeMarco Murray to stay healthy and another running back to help him out. The offensive line needs a couple of more pieces and Tyron Smith to stay healthy. But with Miles Austin, Jason Witten and an improving Dez Bryant, the Cowboys' offense will put up points. Even in a tough NFC East, I expect Dallas to make the playoffs next season. If it doesn't, it could be the end of the Romo era.
[h=3]2. Pittsburgh Steelers[/h]
This one is obvious to me, as Pittsburgh is simply too strong an organization to miss the playoffs for two straight seasons. The Steelers do a terrific job drafting to their system and Mike Tomlin is an excellent coach. With a year under his belt in Todd Haley's offensive system, Ben Roethlisberger will be much more effective next season. Even if the Steelers let Mike Wallace go in free agency, Antonio Brown is a rising star and Jonathan Dwyer showed he can fill in at running back. And the offensive line should be healthier, as Willie Colon and Marcus Gilbert were put on IR and 2012 first-rounder David DeCastro played in only four games. The concerns on defense, as they seem to be every season, are whether this team is too old and whether Troy Polamalu can stay healthy. I think Pittsburgh will find a way to get it done next season.
[h=3]3. San Diego Chargers[/h]
Although the Chargers are still without a coach, whoever takes over will inherit a talented team. San Diego needs another CB opposite Quentin Jammer, but this 3-4 defensive front is strong and the Chargers drafted well in recent years along it (Corey Liuget, Kendall Reyes, Melvin Ingram). Plus, Eric Weddle is one of the best cover safeties in the league on the back end.
Though a new coach will bring a new philosophy on offense, San Diego must do a better job of protecting Philip Rivers (49 sacks taken this season). I still believe Rivers is an elite quarterback, but the Chargers won't make the postseason if he doesn't cut down on his turnovers (15 INTs, seven fumbles lost). Although San Diego needs a true No. 1 wideout after losing Vincent Jackson to Tampa Bay in free agency last year, Antonio Gates is still playing at a high level, and watch out for 2012 fourth-rounder Ladarius Green to emerge at tight end as well.
[h=3]4. Carolina Panthers[/h]
I like the way Ron Rivera and the Panthers finished the season by winning four in a row (and five of six), including an impressive win over the Atlanta Falcons. This team started to find its offensive identity toward the end of the season, having Cam Newton take snaps under center and leaning on the rushing attack. Early in the season, they were getting too cute running out of the Pistol. Another team that was decimated by injuries in 2012, the Panthers still have holes on defense, but I love how rookie MLB Luke Kuechly played. He'll be a steadying force in the middle of that defense for years to come. And at the end of the day, Newton has all the tools to be an elite QB in this league. If he minimizes his mistakes (12 INTs, but only two in his last seven games) and the Panthers get another WR, they can be a surprise team next season -- even in a tough NFC South division.
[h=3]5. St. Louis Rams[/h]
After going 2-14 last season, the Rams finished a very respectable 7-8-1 this campaign, including a win and a tie against the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers. Jeff Fisher has changed the philosophy of this franchise and it has a very good quarterback that people forget about in Sam Bradford. If Steven Jackson is back, the Rams have a solid rushing attack with Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead and Jackson (though they desperately need another WR or two on the outside). Defensively, this team was much improved and has a couple of game-changers along the defensive line in Chris Long (11.5 sacks) and Robert Quinn (10.5 sacks), both of whom continue to improve. James Laurinaitis is a terrific MLB and the Rams have to be pleased with a 2012 draft class that includes Trumaine Johnson, Janoris Jenkins and Michael Brockers. With the 16th and 24th picks in this year's draft -- along with Washington's first-rounder next year -- the Rams will have even more young talent.
By Herm Edwards | ESPN Insider
Even though we are in the midst of another exciting NFL playoffs, it's never too early to start looking ahead to next season. After all, this season gave us two examples of why every NFL fan base should have hope for 2013.
The Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings had a combined record of 5-27 last season. The Colts drafted Andrew Luck, hired Chuck Pagano, started a multitude of rookies on offense and made the playoffs at 11-5. The Vikings drafted Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith, Adrian Peterson had an unbelievable season and Minnesota made the playoffs at 10-6. Even though both teams lost during wild-card weekend, not many people expected they would make it to the postseason.
Anything can happen in the NFL, and that's what makes it so special. With that in mind, here are my very early predictions for the top five teams that can make the playoffs in 2013 after missing out this season.
[h=3]1. Dallas Cowboys[/h]
As I wrote earlier this season, the Cowboys are a talented team. There's no question about that. Tony Romo played a bad game in Week 17, but Dallas has a lot of pieces in place on both sides of the ball, including a talented cornerback duo in Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. Claiborne took his lumps this season, as all rookie CBs do, but he's got a bright future in this league. Plus, Dallas' defense was significantly weakened with the loss of four defensive starters to injured reserve, most notably rising star middle linebacker Sean Lee.
Dallas will likely let Felix Jones walk, but it needs DeMarco Murray to stay healthy and another running back to help him out. The offensive line needs a couple of more pieces and Tyron Smith to stay healthy. But with Miles Austin, Jason Witten and an improving Dez Bryant, the Cowboys' offense will put up points. Even in a tough NFC East, I expect Dallas to make the playoffs next season. If it doesn't, it could be the end of the Romo era.
[h=3]2. Pittsburgh Steelers[/h]
This one is obvious to me, as Pittsburgh is simply too strong an organization to miss the playoffs for two straight seasons. The Steelers do a terrific job drafting to their system and Mike Tomlin is an excellent coach. With a year under his belt in Todd Haley's offensive system, Ben Roethlisberger will be much more effective next season. Even if the Steelers let Mike Wallace go in free agency, Antonio Brown is a rising star and Jonathan Dwyer showed he can fill in at running back. And the offensive line should be healthier, as Willie Colon and Marcus Gilbert were put on IR and 2012 first-rounder David DeCastro played in only four games. The concerns on defense, as they seem to be every season, are whether this team is too old and whether Troy Polamalu can stay healthy. I think Pittsburgh will find a way to get it done next season.
[h=3]3. San Diego Chargers[/h]
Although the Chargers are still without a coach, whoever takes over will inherit a talented team. San Diego needs another CB opposite Quentin Jammer, but this 3-4 defensive front is strong and the Chargers drafted well in recent years along it (Corey Liuget, Kendall Reyes, Melvin Ingram). Plus, Eric Weddle is one of the best cover safeties in the league on the back end.
Though a new coach will bring a new philosophy on offense, San Diego must do a better job of protecting Philip Rivers (49 sacks taken this season). I still believe Rivers is an elite quarterback, but the Chargers won't make the postseason if he doesn't cut down on his turnovers (15 INTs, seven fumbles lost). Although San Diego needs a true No. 1 wideout after losing Vincent Jackson to Tampa Bay in free agency last year, Antonio Gates is still playing at a high level, and watch out for 2012 fourth-rounder Ladarius Green to emerge at tight end as well.
[h=3]4. Carolina Panthers[/h]
I like the way Ron Rivera and the Panthers finished the season by winning four in a row (and five of six), including an impressive win over the Atlanta Falcons. This team started to find its offensive identity toward the end of the season, having Cam Newton take snaps under center and leaning on the rushing attack. Early in the season, they were getting too cute running out of the Pistol. Another team that was decimated by injuries in 2012, the Panthers still have holes on defense, but I love how rookie MLB Luke Kuechly played. He'll be a steadying force in the middle of that defense for years to come. And at the end of the day, Newton has all the tools to be an elite QB in this league. If he minimizes his mistakes (12 INTs, but only two in his last seven games) and the Panthers get another WR, they can be a surprise team next season -- even in a tough NFC South division.
[h=3]5. St. Louis Rams[/h]
After going 2-14 last season, the Rams finished a very respectable 7-8-1 this campaign, including a win and a tie against the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers. Jeff Fisher has changed the philosophy of this franchise and it has a very good quarterback that people forget about in Sam Bradford. If Steven Jackson is back, the Rams have a solid rushing attack with Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead and Jackson (though they desperately need another WR or two on the outside). Defensively, this team was much improved and has a couple of game-changers along the defensive line in Chris Long (11.5 sacks) and Robert Quinn (10.5 sacks), both of whom continue to improve. James Laurinaitis is a terrific MLB and the Rams have to be pleased with a 2012 draft class that includes Trumaine Johnson, Janoris Jenkins and Michael Brockers. With the 16th and 24th picks in this year's draft -- along with Washington's first-rounder next year -- the Rams will have even more young talent.
