The middle of June is an awkward time to be a football fan. The excitement of the NFL Draft has passed and it's still over a month until training camps open and the anticipation for the start of the regular season begins to really build. To make up for this empty void in the news cycle, a lot of NFL media members and bloggers use this dead time to blow players absence's from OTA's out of proportion (DEAR LORD ROB GRONKOWSKI DIDN'T PARTICIPATE IN 2 DAYS OF LIGHT PRACTICE IN EARLY JUNE. IS HE HURT? IS HE UNHAPPY ABOUT HIS CONTRACT? DOES HE HAVE SCURVY?) and to go to great lengths to manufacture questions and debates that are completely unnecessary and borderline laughable (Did you guys know that since Andrew Luck had a injury-plagued, disappointing season in 2015, it's going to be damn near impossible for him to return to the level of success he enjoyed in 2012-14?). In the spirit of this speculation and premature hot take-filled season, here's a list of 5 teams that I think have the potential to overachieve in 2016.
Buffalo Bills: When Rex Ryan was hired as the Bills head coach in January 2015, I thought they're league-high 15-year playoff drought was going to immediately end. That preseason optimism proved to be all for nought as they put together yet another subpar 8-8 finish and missed the playoffs for a 16th consecutive season. However, I think they could very well deliver the success myself and many other football nerds predicted for them a year ago in 2016. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor should be able to build on the patience, accuracy and big-play ability he showed in his first year as a starter last season while their talented defense that was the catalyst for their disappointing 2015 campaign is a serious candidate to bounce back now that they're entering their second season in Ryan's 3-4 scheme (they ran a 4-3 under Doug Marrone and Jim Schwartz in 2014) and revamped their awful linebacking corps by bringing in promising rookie Reggie Ragland and veteran workhorse Zach Brown to replace free-agent departure Nigel Bradham and major coverage liability Preston Brown in the starting lineup. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Bills were the team that benefited the most from Tom Brady's potential four-game suspension at the start of the season and made a serious run at a wild card berth in the wide-open AFC.
Chicago Bears: I'm well aware this selection screams of fan bias, but anyone that's read my work in the past and/or has ever discussed football with me in person knows that I'm usually incredibly pessimistic when it comes to the Bears. However, this new regime led by head coach John Fox and general manager Ryan Pace has me thinking that the arrow may be actually pointing up for this franchise that has experienced perennial disappointment (with the notable exception of their NFC Championship Game appearance in 2010) since their Super Bowl appearance in 2006. Despite possessing one of the most talent-barren rosters in the NFL, having the toughest strength of schedule (their opponent's winning percentage was .547) and an offense that was banged-up all year long, the Bears won 6 games and remained competitive in just about every game that Jay Cutler played in (of the eight losses they suffered when Cutler played every snap, only two of them were by more than six points) last season. With a much more forgiving schedule and an excellent free agent haul headlined by the additions of elite inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerell Freeman, the Bears appear to be on the cusp of returning to relevancy in 2016. Saying they're playoff contenders in the immensely talented and deep NFC would be a little ambitious and the progress they appear to have made heading into this season could go up in flames if Cutler struggles like he did in 2014 and/or star wideout Alshon Jeffrey gets injured, but I wouldn't be shocked if their much-improved defense and excellent coaching staff was enough to lead them to 9 or 10 wins.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars surprised a lot of people with just how explosive their offense was in 2015 thanks to breakout seasons from quarterback Black Bortles and starting receiver duo Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. With their offensive centerpieces of the future seemingly in place, the Jaguars turned their attention to defense this offseason by making a series of potentially game-changing pick-ups in free agency and the draft. The Jaguars took advantage of their plethora of cap space by signing safety Tashuan Gibson, cornerback Prince Amukamara and defensive end Malik Jackson in free agency then later went onto select a trio of potential high-impact players in cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker Myles Jack and edge-rusher Yannick Ngakoue with their first three picks in the draft. In addition to their impressive haul this offseason, the Jaguars will also have 2015 1st-round pick Dante Fowler Jr-who was largely believed to be the best pure pass-rusher in last year's draft-returning to the field after missing his entire rookie campaign with a torn ACL. If their defensive overhaul works and their offensive can match the explosiveness they showed for a majority of 2015, the Jaguars could be leaving the NFL's basement far sooner than anticipated.
Oakland Raiders: This is the biggest no-brainer of this entire piece. Another year of growth from rising stars Khalil Mack, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper with the additions of veteran impact players Kelechi Osemele, Bruce Irvin, Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson in free agency puts the Raiders in prime position to be a playoff contender and potential frontrunner for the AFC West crown this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers far exceeded expectations in 2015 thanks to an outstanding rookie campaign from quarterback Jameis Winston and unexpected bounceback season from running back Doug Martin. If Winston can build on his promising play as a rookie, Martin can maintain the high production level he displayed last season and third-year wide receiver Mike Evans can shake the issue with drops he suddenly developed last season, there's no reason to believe the Buccaneers won't improve from their 6 win-season a year ago. Their middling defense and shakiness along the offensive line makes their odds of beating out the defending conference champion Carolina Panthers for the NFC South title extremely slim, but I expect them to be in the running for second place in their division and possibly be an outside contender for a wild card spot.
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