6 NFL Playoff Teams from 2024 That Won’t Make It Back in 2025
Historically, and almost like clockwork, the NFL’s playoff teams change every other year, almost in half. That is — about six or seven teams that reached the dance the season prior don’t return.
Six teams made the NFL postseason last year but may not return in 2025. These are those six NFL playoff teams.
It’s tricky to predict which teams will falter during a follow-up campaign, but VikingsTerritory will take a stab at it with the regular season less than 11 weeks away.
These are the six teams that reached the postseason last year that may not make it back in 2025, listed alphabetically.
1. Denver Broncos
The Broncos, like the Vikings, produced an unexpectedly productive season in 2024 and reached the postseason tournament for the first time since 2015 — the year it won the Super Bowl.
Denver’s defense remains great, but with a tough pair of teams in its division, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos might miss the dance this January, particularly if Bo Nix encounters a sophomore slump.
Of all the quarterbacks drafted in recent memory, Nix feels like the kind of quarterback who might deal with such a slump.
Who Takes Denver’s Place?
Cincinnati Bengals
NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha forecasted an MVP award for Joe Burrown this week: “Burrow is going to receive a lot of attention for this honor because he got plenty last year, when the Bengals were stumbling and fumbling their way through a frustrating season that ended with them missing the playoffs for the second straight year. There were people out there loudly saying that Burrow deserved to contend for the game’s top individual award because of sheer productivity.”
“He led the league in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43) while only throwing nine interceptions. It is true that Burrow would’ve had a strong case if Cincinnati had made the postseason in 2024. It’s even more logical to think that more people will be singing his praises if he repeats those efforts. If the Bengals return to the playoffs, then their offense is going to be prolific. That puts Burrow in a position to earn a lot of love.”
That theory isn’t too off-base.
2. Green Bay Packers
Pretty cliche for a Vikings-themed website to pick the Packers for a sorrowful event, eh? We’re doing it anyway.
We are not sold on Jordan Love as a totally elite quarterback, although his contract suggests he is capable of that caliber of performance. Like the AFC West and perhaps to a greater degree, the NFC North is stacked with formidable teams. No NFC North team has a trashy roster.
The Packers will finish 9-8 or 8-9, also known as the No. 8 seed in the NFC.
Who Takes Green Bay’s Place?
Arizona Cardinals
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams eerily feel like they’re nearing a year when Matthew Stafford gets hurt, with a 7-10 record or so is the outcome. Call it a hunch.
Of course, the Rams dispatched the Vikings in the playoffs last year, and they did so convincingly.
But let’s bank on the Rams taking a tumble because the San Francisco 49ers return to Kyle Shanahanian form.
Who Takes Los Angeles Place?
San Francisco 49ers
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers haven’t fired up a losing record in over two decades, a heavily traveled stat that is equally impressive.
But let’s get funky with an ironic prediction: the Steelers finally battle a losing season the moment Aaron Rodgers arrives in town. Rodgers couldn’t make it work — at all — with a fantastic depth chart in New York last year. Is Pittsburgh going to be any different?
Who Takes Pittsburgh’s Place?
Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The aim is not to assign any Buccaneers slander; it just seems like the Falcons’ turn in 2025.
Tampa Bay’s defense ranked in the middle of the pack last year, and there’s no reason to believe it’s markedly improved. The Buccaneers have also reached the playoffs every year since Tom Brady showed up in 2020. It’s time for a year off.
Todd Bowles’ team ends the season with an 8-9 record after injuries rattle the roster.
Who Takes Tampa Bay’s Place?
Atlanta Falcons
6. Washington Commanders
Probably the most controversial choice on the list, the Commanders will fall short of the playoffs this season because their 2024 run was a little too good to be true.
Washington overachieved last year, and it may be tough to duplicate the surprise NFC Championship appearance. Jayden Daniels assuredly looks like a star, but folks said the same thing about C.J. Stroud at this time last year, and he witnessed a slight regression.
The same could happen for Daniels.
The Cowboys bounce back to relevance and squeeze away a Wildcard spot from Washington.
Who Takes Washington’s Place?
Dallas Cowboys
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