Three Playoff Teams from Last Season that May Take a Fall This Season

The Vikings, Seahawks, and Buccaneers all made the playoffs last season but they’re also the top three candidates to take a fall this season. Let’s take a closer look at each team and why they might not make the playoffs this season. Click here for the latest NFL odds at The Game Day.

Can the Vikings Do It Again?

Last season the Vikings won 13 games and captured the NFC North and one of the main reasons was they were 11-0 in single scoring games, which set an NFL record. Despite winning 13 games the team actually finished the season with a negative point differential. They were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round losing at home to the New York Giants. While they have a new defensive coordinator with Brain Flores, there are still concerns on that side of the ball. This comes as no surprise since last season Minnesota ranked second-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed and 28^th in points allowed.

Kirk Cousins is in a contract year and other concerns are the offensive line and the lack of a legit #2 WR. On top of that the first half schedule is a tough one for the Vikings, as out of the NFC North they face the Eagles, Chargers, Chiefs, and 49ers.

Can Smith Do It Again in Seattle?

The Seahawks were a surprise playoff team last season going 9-8 and one of the main reasons was the play of the Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith. He got off to a great start but in the last nine games of the season Seattle was 3-6 and he had 12 turnovers. While he was solid, the team only ranked 20^th in third down conversion rate and 28^th in red zone conversion percentage.

Smith will need to be big again, as the team has issues when it comes to defense and that unit ranked 30^th in the league in rushing yards allowed. The Seahawks play a tougher schedule than they did last season and in their first five games, they have three on the road facing the Lions, Giants, and Bengals.

The GOAT No Longer Steers the Bucs

It’s no shock that the Buccaneers are on this list as the GOAT in Tom Brady retired and is no longer in the Sunshine State. To say that there’s been a drop-off at QB with Brady gone would be an understatement as Baker Mayfield won the starting job over second-year pro Kyle Trask. He is on his fourth team in his short career and on a one-year contract to show he is still a legit starter. The Bucs won the terrible NFC South last season at 8-9 and while not a powerhouse the division may be better this season. The Saints picked up Derek Carr, the Panthers took Bryce Young with the #1 pick in the draft, and the Falcons have talent and will be good if Desmond Ridder has a good season under center.

Tampa Bay has talent in the WR position but the team ranked dead last in the league last season in rushing yards. They have a very tough first half schedule and in four of their first five games face the Vikings, Eagles, Saints, and Lions.