Every year when the NFL Playoffs begins it seems that a few really good teams are left out in the cold. This year is no exception as there are several teams that for whatever reason will be sitting home watching the games on TV. Here are our picks for the best teams that didn't make it to the Playoffs!
Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
The Cardinals were another team that started slow but came on just a little to late to make into the Playoffs. The finished the season on the 5-1 run, sparked in large part to the amazing punt returns of rookie sensation Patrick Peterson.
Key Players
- Larry Fitzgerald - WR (1411 yards, Pro Bowl Selection)
- Beanie Wells - RB (1047 yards, 10 TDs)
- Patrick Peterson - DB (4 Punt Return TDs, 2 Ints)
Chicago Bears (8-8)
This is one this years biggest “what if” teams. At the mid-point of the season there was talk about them being a Super Bowl contender, but then the injury bug hit them and that was all she wrote.
Key Players
- Jay Cutler - QB (13 Tds – 85.7 QB Rating)
- Matt Forte - RB (1,383 All-Purpose Yards, Pro Bowl Selection)
- Lance Briggs - LB (100 Tackles)
Miami Dolphins (6-10)
After a rough 0-7 start the Dolphins inserted Matt Moore into the starting QB role and finished on a 6-3 run. Not to mention they also have the 3rd best run Defense in the entire NFL.
Key Players
- Brandon Marshall - WR (1,214 Yard - Pro-Bowl Selection)
- Reggie Bush - RB (1,382 All-Purpose Yards)
- Cameron Wake - LB (8.5 Sack, Pro Bowl Selection)
San Diego Chargers (8-8)
The Charger had their typical end of the season hot streaks going 4-1 in the final 5 games to tie for the best record in the AFC West. They missed out due to the Broncos’ tiebreaker advantage.
Key Players
- Philip Rivers - QB (4,624 Yards – 28 TDs - Pro Bowl Selection)
- Ryan Matthews - RB (1,546 All-Purpose Yards)
- Eric Weddle - S (League Leading 7 Ints.)
Tennessee Titans (9-7)
The Titans literally just missed making it to the playoff on a tiebreaker after beating the Texans on the final Sunday of the season. The ended their season on a 5-1 run.
Key Players
- Matt Hasselbeck - QB (61.6% Completions 82.4 QB Rating)
- Chris Johnson - RB (1,046 Yards)
- Michael Griffin - FS (75 Tackles, Pro Bowl Selection)
