The NFL regular season is nearing the end, with some clubs in prime position to make a playoff run as a lower seed. While it is difficult to advance from the bottom of the bracket, the contenders play a style of basketball that allows them to compete against the best in a single-elimination tournament that exposes each team’s major shortcomings. Furthermore, the dark horses in the playoff field contain a few blue-chip players who can turn the game around with a big play that swings it in their favor.
Given some time to scan the likely playoff field, let’s see which darkhorse teams can stay in the playoffs tournament. Here are my 2024 candidates and pretenders:
The Atlanta Falcons are adding Kirk Cousins was expected to lead the Falcon’s offense to the next level. Though the veteran gunslinger has fixed the Dirty Birds’ most vital position on the field, the Falcons remain a frustratingly inconsistent team that struggles to win against the league’s heavyweights. If the offense fails to score 30 or more points, the defense lacks the disruptive ability to turn the game around with a game-changing turnover or splash play. Unless the defense improves down the stretch, the Falcons appear to be a “one-and-done” playoff contender.
In his second season as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Jonathan Gannon has led the team to postseason contention. The dynamic culture builder has transformed the “Bird Gang” into a rising contender by embracing a complementary football strategy that blends Kyler Murray’s remarkable playmaking abilities with a hard-hitting rushing assault and a blue-collar defense. While the Cardinals’ traditional game plans lack excitement, they continue to win in a difficult division. With their three-dimensional approach, the Cardinals are geared to compete in the playoffs and will be a tough out in a single-elimination tournament.
