The post 2025-2026 NFL Season: Four Non-Playoff Teams From Last Year to Keep an Eye On appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.
The 2025-2026 NFL season is underway – the Eagles just beat the Cowboys last night – and we are back with our annual “non-playoff teams to watch” article, in which we pick four teams that missed the postseason last year that should be interesting this year.
That does not mean we are picking these teams to make the playoffs. They certainly might, but this is just a selection of teams looking to improve that could merit you tuning in to catch some of their games this season. They could be a fascinating surprise mover, or an entertaining trainwreck. Who knows?
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Cincinnati Bengals (+290 to win division, +1,100 to win AFC, +2,200 to win Super Bowl)
The Bengals were one of the league’s biggest disappointments last season, though they did finish with a winning record at 9-8. It’s hard to imagine, though, a team with Joe Burrow at quarterback, throwing to guys like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, not having it in them to make a playoff push. At the very least, they should be fun to watch – remember, we’re not making predictions here.
Burrow is considered one of the elite QBs in the league along with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and division rival Lamar Jackson. Those names are also three of the reasons it is not easy for a defensively-challenged team like Cincinnati to make the playoffs – the competition is stiff.
an entertaining team that battles it out in high-scoring affairs
But Cincy was also a squad that was a bit unlucky last year, going 4-7 in one-score games. With a potent offense returning and continued question marks on defense, it will be interesting to see if the Bengals can return to prominence – they were just in the Super Bowl in 2022 – or simply be an entertaining team that battles it out in high-scoring affairs.
Atlanta Falcons (+220 division, +4,000 NFC, +9,000 Super Bowl)
I listed the Falcons in this same article last year and I am going to do it again, and for similar reasons. Last year, I said a big reason to watch this squad was the signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was expected to inject life into the offense.
Well, that didn’t work out and Atlanta turned to first round pick Michael Penix, Jr. to start the final three games of the season. And while he was by no means perfect – his completion percentage was bad – he looked pretty solid overall for a rookie thrown into the fire.
Young star running back Bijan Robinson should take pressure off Penix, who also has a fleet of young pass catchers who will be eager to prove their worth.
Like Cincy, Atlanta may have problems on defense, though they did draft two pass rushers in the first round this year.
San Francisco 49ers (+155 division, +900 NFC, +2,000 Super Bowl)
The Niners had been one of the most dominant teams in the league for several seasons, but took a huge downturn last year, finishing at just 6-11. But as much this Green Bay Packers fan would like to see them continue to struggle, I unfortunately think they are primed to bounce back.
most injured team in the league
Last season’s story was injuries. San Francisco was the most injured team in the league and no matter how deep the talent goes, eventually there’s not much you can do. If they stay healthy this year, they could make waves again, especially with the NFL’s easiest schedule.
The NFC West is a bit of a question mark. No teams are expected to be elite, but none are expected to be terrible, either. They all sort of sit in the middle third of the league right now (of course, things can change). So regardless of how the 49ers end up, the divisional battles should be intense.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+270 division, +4,500 AFC, +10,000 Super Bowl)
It kind of feels like the Jags are a team that people look at every year and think, “Ok, this is finally their year to do something,” and then they don’t. We’re not even far removed from 2023, when the Jags were looking very good at 8-3 and then went into a tail spin that hasn’t stopped. It hasn’t helped that 2021 top pick, QB Trevor Lawrence, only played ten games because of injury last season.
Speaking of Lawrence, while he’s been good, he has yet to become the “man.” Perhaps he turns the corner this year, now that he’s back healthy. He will certainly be helped by one of the league’s most exciting rookies, Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who will play both wide receiver and cornerback. I’d keep an eye on Jacksonville based on Hunter’s presence alone.
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