3 projected NFL contenders that could just as easily miss the playoffs

Training camps are set to open around the league in just a few weeks, let’s look at 3 NFL contenders who could just as easily miss the playoffs.

With NFL training camps set to open in the coming weeks, it’s time to start looking at season outlooks for teams around the NFL.

Each season we see teams that disappoint and teams that blow away expectations, like the Cincinnati Bengals did last season. Let’s take a look at three NFL teams that many believe will make the playoffs that could just as easily miss the playoffs and why.

NFL contender who could miss the playoffs – Las Vegas Raiders

The 2021 season for the Las Vegas Raiders was a rollercoaster ride from the firing of head coach Jon Gruden, Henry Ruggs’ arrest, and the team eventually making the playoffs.

Even though the Raiders had to gut out several games, including narrowly beating the Cleveland Browns in December despite the Browns missing many players with COVID, they still finished with a playoff birth.

After the Wild Card loss to the eventual AFC-champion Bengals, the Raiders fired interim head coach Rich Bisaccia and then hired offensive guru Josh McDaniels to figure things out. However, is McDaniels really the man for the job or are most of his success tied to having Tom Brady running his offense?

McDaniels has only had two seasons in which he was a head coach or offensive coordinator where his offense was better than the top 19 in points without Tom Brady (has coached six seasons without Brady). Can McDaniels help take Derek Carr to the next level? He hasn’t won a playoff game having only played in one playoff game? Carr has performed well in the regular season but with only two playoff births and zero wins will the upgrade of Davante Adams be enough?