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Five NFL playoff teams doomed to stumble in 2016

Aaron Rodgers

It happens every single season in the NFL. Teams that make the playoffs one year inevitably end up stumbling to a mediocre (or worse) record the following campaign.

Sometimes this happens because an up-and-coming team is simply better. Other times it happens because coaches who had tremendous influence on their teams’ success leave for greener pastures. And in some instances, top players simply fade, leaving their teams grasping at straws as they attempt to make up for the deficiencies.

It’s with this in mind that we look into our crystal ball to determine which playoff teams from 2015 will fail to reach the postseason this year.

Denver Broncos

Gary Kubiak is an outstanding offensive coach, but the Broncos will struggle offensively in 2016.

The offensive line is a liability, which will hamper the running game — a position of weakness already unless rookie Devontae Booker becomes a star this year.

Mark Sanchez EaglesThe Broncos will also trot out either Mark Sanchez (career of mediocrity, at best), rookie Paxton Lynch or Trevor Siemian — a guy with one career pass attempt for negative-one yards.

Brace yourselves, Broncos fans. This is going to get ugly.

Defensively, Denver should still feature a unit that will make big plays to keep the Broncos in games. But the losses of defensive end Malik Jackson, inside linebacker Danny Trevathon and safety David Bruton will not be easily overcome. In particular, losing Jackson and Trevathon will hurt the Broncos against the run.

Look for Denver to slide out of the playoffs as the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs take over as the top teams in the AFC West.

Washington Redskins

Kirk Cousins

Washington got into the playoffs last year because the rest of the NFC East was a dung heap.

Consider us skeptical that quarterback Kirk Cousins will do enough to earn his $20 million franchise tag. Washington’s running game isn’t fantastic, and the team’s top receivers are aging veterans and a rookie who is already hurt before any contact is allowed.

And while the franchise does feature a sweet defensive front, the defense is soft in the middle and features a questionable secondary. On that note, we’re predicting a disappointing season for free-agent acquisition Josh Norman, who won’t have nearly as much help via pressure up front as he had in Carolina.

While it’s conceivable this team could get back in, based on the fact that this division is always a crap shoot, we’re betting against it. Barring another ridiculous season of injuries, the Dallas Cowboys (with their run-first offense) will win the division, leaving Washington on the outside looking in.

Houston Texans

To be fair, there is a chance the Texans will be amazing this year. This team could either win 11 games or 5, and nobody would be too shocked.

If Brock Osweiler ends up proving Houston right and becomes one of the top passers in the NFL, and if Lamar Miller is the second coming of Arian Foster, then this offense will be tough to stop.

Brock Osweiler, NFL Free AgencyBut there are way too many “ifs” surrounding Houston’s offense, and this scribe predicts Osweiler will struggle. He was not overwhelmingly good in his seven career starts in Denver, and while he does have a nice arm it is by no means a rocket launcher. Essentially, he’s like a younger, slightly stronger version of Brian Hoyer.

On the other side of the ball, nobody should expect a huge drop-off on defense, provided J.J. Watt remains in the lineup. His ability to win against two and three offensive linemen makes it easy for the rest of his teammates up front to succeed, and it creates turnovers on the back end.

However, with the Jacksonville Jaguars looking primed to make a move and Andrew Luck returning to health for the Indianapolis Colts, Houston’s chances of getting back to the playoffs appear slim, indeed.

Green Bay Packers

There is no way to argue against Aaron Rodgers as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. But as good as Rodgers is, his surrounding cast isn’t strong enough to make it back to the playoffs in 2016. As it was last year, they got off to a blazing hot start and ended up limping into the playoffs with a 4-6 record after their bye.

Rodgers, one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the league, was sacked 46 times in 2015, and the Packers did little to improve things for him on that front.

He also has a receiving corps to work with that is no longer one of the top in the league, and free agent tight end Jared Cook — a guy the Packers hope can be a big part of the passing game — has already been injured and will not be healthy until at least training camp.

And who knows if Eddie Lacy will maintain good weight this year? Behind him, the Packers are dreadfully thin at running back, which is just one more reason to believe Green Bay’s offense will struggle in 2016.

Like Houston, Green Bay’s defense has some strengths. Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers can bring heat on the outside. Though, it should be noted that Peppers is 36 years old and could be dropping off in production soon. The secondary is also terrific. But the middle of Green Bay’s defense is as soft as pudding, and opposing running backs will eat it up with delight.

Because of Rodgers’ brilliance, Green Bay will stay competitive all year long. But this season will prove to be a grave disappointment for cheeseheads everywhere as the Packers fail to make the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals

James Harrison

Andy Dalton looked like a different quarterback last season before injuring his hand. In his second season under offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, he flourished.

But Jackson is gone now after landing a head coaching gig in Cleveland. Of further note is the fact that two of Dalton’s top passing weapons — Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones — are with different teams via free agency. Brandon LaFell is a decent receiver, but he won’t come close to making up for those losses.

Also gone is free safety Reggie Nelson and offensive tackle Andre Smith.

On top of all the losses is the simple fact that Pittsburgh and Baltimore will both be better this season than they were in 2015, barring another round of catastrophic injuries to both squads.

After losing in the Wild Card round the past five seasons, the Bengals are going to miss out on the playoffs altogether in 2015 while one or both of their top rivals makes it into the postseason tournament.

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