Which NFL Team will end their playoff drought?

In 2021, the NFL provided thrills and spills for fans in that way only the NFL can. The 49-erds defied odds against the LA Rams to make it to the playoffs. The Jaguars pulled off a huge upset against the Bills, coming out on top 9-6, and the Baltimore Ravens were easily the most exciting team of the season. Twelve of their games were decided by a point, which may or may not have been good news if you were betting on the NFL point spread. Four of the Raven’s games went into extra time.

Now that preseason is underway, teams want to get off to a good start, making the most of these games to make adjustments in time for the regular season. For a while now, the playoffs have eluded some NFL teams, and they’ll be hoping this could change in 2022. Below is a look at some of the teams who might finally end their playoff drought.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers haven’t made it to the playoffs for three seasons and are hungry to make the 2022 season the one that changes all that. The team have spent a lot of time reworking their defensive line to improve their overall defense. Opponents had spotted the Chargers’ defensive weaknesses and were happily running at them, exposing the holes in the team’s defenses even further.

When the Chargers begin the regular season, they’ll be looking for quarterback Justin Herbert to be on top of his game. Herbert is the face of the Chargers and has gone from strength to strength since his impressive rookie season. Although the Chargers didn’t make the playoffs in 2021, they proved they can compete with the best. The team beat the Chiefs early in the season, and they forced the Raiders into extra time while eight points down in the fourth quarter.

Jacksonville Jaguars

If the Chargers are hungry to make the playoffs, the Jaguars will be even hungrier. They’ve gone four seasons without challenging for a spot in the fight to reach the Super Bowl. In the 2021 seasons, the team struggled defensively, letting down the offensive core of the team, and there was also disillusionment with the Jaguars’ general manager Trent Baalke.

Quarterback Josh Allen had a good rookie season and continued to build on this in 2021. He was instrumental in the Jaguars’ early season triumph over the Bills. The team will be looking for him to step up and deliver in 2022.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are also experiencing a strong longing for playoff action. The last time they were in the playoffs was 2017. The team’s 2021 season was disastrous, despite getting off to a good start with victories in the first three weeks. They then lost 12 of their next 14 games, kissing any hopes of a place in the playoffs goodbye. The good news for the team is that the defense had looked strong at the start of the season and had shown flashes of this strength throughout.

Jeremy Chinn surprised everyone and proved just how vital he was to the team’s defense, and he’ll be under pressure to keep on performing at the high level he delivered for the team in 2021. The team have displayed consistency in the last three seasons, so don’t be surprised if they eventually come through in 2022 and make it to the playoffs.

Atlanta Falcons

Just like the Panthers and the Jaguars, the Falcons have also gone four seasons without any playoff action, an issue they’ll be looking to put right in 2022. Putting wins together hasn’t been easy for the team, who have struggled with inconsistency at wide receiver and with struggles that have put pressure on the quarterback position.

Things could be looking up for the team, however, as they’ve incorporated more youth at wide receiver and the defensive end. Drake London and Arnold Ebiketie are going to be decisive in the team’s 2022 fortunes. The pressure will also be on Rashaan Evans to deliver for the team, who signed a one-year deal with the team, and the Falcons will be hoping he pairs well with Deion Jones and gels with the rest of the defense.

It’s worth noting the Falcons could surprise everyone this season. The defense features Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and cornerback AJ Tyrell, the latter being considered one of the best players at cornerback position. Teams may have a tougher time than they expect scoring against the Falcons.

The NFL is packed with such excitement and so many dramatic moments, you can never quite tell who will make it to the Super Bowl. All the teams above are hoping 2022 could be their season, the one they make it to the playoffs and get to fight for the Lombardi trophy. Let’s see what happens.