In the National Football League, it seems every year there is a "Rags to Riches" story. There is that one Cinderella team that America rootes for to upset the big dogs. The Kansas City Chiefs in 2012 had only two wins, and they came back the next season to crank out an 11-5 record en route to the playoffs. The Indianapolis Colts in 2011 also only had two wins, and they also came back the next year with an 11-5 record and a playoff appearence as well.
It seems every season, a team that finished last or near last shocks everyone and makes a run. There are eight teams in the NFL that have not made the playoffs in atleast five years. Who will break that drought this season on the gridiron?
Honorable Mention: Cleveland Browns
If Josh Gordon was on the team this year, this could be a totally different article. There is a quarterback in place now, with Johnny Manziel, but no one for him to throw to. The defense will once again be Top 10, but the Dog Pound won't have an offense to cheer for. There are just too many questions- Will they get good QB play? Will Miles Austin stay healthy all year? Is Ben Tate ready to be a starter? Playoff drought: 11 years
Honorable Mention: Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are going to be a good team this year. I can see them going 8-8 no problem with all their offseason additions. They have a solid NFL-caliber quarterback, and a much improved defense. Losing Rashad Jennings hurts, and hoping that Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden can not only stay healthy, but produce is a shot in the dark. They can finish with a .500 record, and still be last in their division. The AFC West is just way to powerful. Playoff drought: 11 years
Buffalo Bills
Nobody circles the wagons, like the Buffalo Bills. I really feel like this is the year that they do it, too. No. 1 overall pick Sammy Watkins, along with recently acquired Mike Williams on the outside are teaming up with second-year players Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin to round out the receiving core. The Bills have the deepest backfields in the league, with star C.J. Spiller, veteran Fred Jackson and youngster Bryce Brown.
New defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and linebacker Brandon Spikes are going to make this a smash mouth football team for the fans to cheer for. If EJ Manuel can play good enough to win games, the AFC East is more open than people think. Buffalo will indeed be rocking this season, and their doing it all for one person, their former owner, Ralph Wilson Jr. Playoff drought: 14 years
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What a life Josh McCown lives, eh? He goes from throwing to star receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, to having rookie stud Mike Evans and Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson as his targets downfield. A good defense gets even better with some defensive line depth, and Alterraun Verner at corner, who played terrific for the Tennessee Titans last season.
The New Orleans Saints had a bad season a couple years ago, and the Atlanta Falcons had one last year. Anything can happen in that division. Doug Martin will certainly help what was widely considered as the worst offense in the league. If they can score, their defense lead by Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David will hold it. Playoff drought: Six years
St Louis Rams
The Rams got considerably better this offseason. Top draft picks Greg Robinson, Aaron Donald, and Tre Mason will make big impacts on this team. The defense is already really good already with Chris Long and Robert Quinn, sprinkle in some offensive help, and you never know what can happen. Sam Bradford is in a must-produce year. This is it for him. Bolstering the offensive line, along with adding a big target in Kenny Britt, mix them together with Tavon Austin and Chris Givens, should help Bradford. The NFC West is full of elite teams, but they’ll all beat the hell out of each other, so anything can happen. It all falls on one person, however, Sam Bradford. Playoff drought- Nine years
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