5 Potential Breakout Teams in the 2024 NFL Season

Every year, new teams jump up and surprise and make the NFL playoffs, and this year is sure to be no different. The problem is figuring out which teams they may be. Today we will take a crack at it as we have five teams that seem poised to make a possible playoff run.

5. Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders won’t make the playoffs this season (I don’t think), but new head coach Dan Quinn could bring some exciting qualities. His defense usually ranks in the top 15 regardless of his role; even during his brief time as Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, it never dropped below 17th place in points allowed per game.

If he can improve their defense from last season’s 30.5 points per game allowed mark, then Jayden Daniels at quarterback may make for an intriguing explosive combination. They probably won’t be a playoff team, but they could make things interesting.

4. Tennessee Titans

While I don’t necessarily view the Titans as surefire playoff candidates, I think they will be better than many people expect.

Quarterback Will Levis immediately impacted as a rookie quarterback, finishing tied for fifth in big-time throw rate (5.9%). Now, with Calvin Ridley joining DeAndre Hopkins as a wide receiver and Brian Callahan serving as head coach, Levis should see further success in quarterbacking his offense.

Levis can reduce his poor playmaking by reducing turnover-worthy plays (his 4.5% rate as a rookie was tied for eighth-worst in the league) so that Tennessee may contend for a playoff berth late in the year.

I am not sold on Levis, but he has some weapons that could help him develop.

3. New York Jets

The New York Jets already possess one of the top defenses in the league. General Manager Joe Douglas added three starters to the offensive line, and Aaron Rodgers may help the Jets reach ten wins this season. They did manage seven victories last year. Provided Rodgers is closer to his back-to-back MVP form than in 2022, they will likely reach it.

But this could prove problematic as Rodgers did not play most of last year, and we have no idea how true to his prime form he will be. You have to be sceptical when dealing with the Jets.

2. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have talent, but they only won five games due to poor coaching. I believe in their potential to take steps forward in 2024, even if 2024 serves only as a foundational year.

No team had its foundation shaken more severely than Los Angeles. Jim Harbaugh’s vision of football meant jettisoning receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen for running-first teams instead.

Harbaugh-led teams tend to feature more balanced lineups, even though Justin Herbert may experience a decrease in his numbers. This team will become stronger.

The AFC West doesn’t look deep, but the Chiefs are sitting at the top of the division. However, this team could emerge as another viable Wild Card contender.

1. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are readying themselves for Caleb Williams to lead them. This offseason, they overhauled their offense, adding Williams, Rome Odunze, Gerald Everett, and Keenan Allen as key components. If Caleb Williams can just be average, the Bears will surpass last season’s win total of seven games. If he is above average, the sky could be the limit for this team.

But even in 2023, Chicago proved itself as a solid team. The Bear’s defense ended the year by holding opponents to under 20 points per game; with offensive additions, Chicago might just find itself competing for a Wild Card spot.

The Bears have been aggressive in the off-season, and if they hit on Williams, they will be a contender for years to come.