by Jazz Ray
Sunday, Mar 15, 2026Playoff turnover is a staple in the Any Given Sunday league, and here are five teams which made it to the tournament this past season and could be on the outside looking in come next January. Odds of making it in are in parenthesis.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS (+280)
The Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons all finished with 8-9 records in the woeful NFC South last season. One of them had to make the playoffs, and Carolina took advantage of two early-season wins over the then-disorganized Falcons plus Tampa Bay’s late-season collapse to grab the one spot. The Panthers played a decent wild card round game against the Rams before bowing out of the post-season. Those conditions likely won’t be repeated this season as both the Buccaneers and Falcons figure to be much improved. Books don’t foresee another playoff game for the Panthers, whose rebuild continues.
2. HOUSTON TEXANS (-150)
You have to wonder what’s going through the minds of the suits in the front office after C.J. Stroud spit the bit against the Patriots in the playoffs last January, throwing four interceptions in the first half alone which led to a playoff exit. Granted, Houston had gotten by Pittsburgh in the first round, but Stroud had two fumbles and an interception – which Houston survived due to its superb defense. All of which has led to questions as to whether Stroud will continue to be The Guy for this franchise. No one is expecting Jacksonville to take a step back after winning the AFC South last year, so there could be a lot of heat on the Texans.
3. CHICAGO BEARS (+105)
Credit Caleb Williams for finally figuring things out and providing the spark which led to several late game comeback victories and a playoff spot in 2025. But can they really continue to walk on the edge of the cliff before falling over? There figures to be some reversion to the mean this coming season. Chicago will also have to do some repair work along the offensive line after the surprising decision to retire by All-Pro center Drew Dalmon. The Bears don’t have a lot of money to spend in free agency, so they’ll look the plug holes during the draft. Defensive line is an area of need.
4. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (+155)
Mike McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin on the sidelines, and McCarthy immediately inherits the Aaron Rodgers Will He Return or Not? scene. Even if he does return, Rodgers will turn 43 before the playoffs begin this coming season, and only one quarterback in NFL history (Tom Brady) has started and won a playoff older than Rodgers will be. At some point the carriage turns into a pumpkin. Can Rodgers even survive another 17-game season without suffering a major injury? One more thing – Baltimore figures to be a lot better this year, making life more difficult for the Steelers.
5. GREEN BAY PACKERS (-205)
Green Bay has been hit hard by the off-season. Tackle Rasheed Walker left for the Panthers, wideout Romeo Doubs signed with New England, backup QB is now with Miami, defensive end Kingsley Enegbare signed with the Jets and several other key pieces are gone. No one knows when linebacker Micah Parsons will get on the field – he suffered an ACL tear in Week 15. He’s a huge part of the Green Bay defense. With the talented Detroit Lions eager to rebound after an off-season, the Packers will probably need to improve a bit over last year’s 9-7-1 to return to the post-season.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS (+280)
The Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons all finished with 8-9 records in the woeful NFC South last season. One of them had to make the playoffs, and Carolina took advantage of two early-season wins over the then-disorganized Falcons plus Tampa Bay’s late-season collapse to grab the one spot. The Panthers played a decent wild card round game against the Rams before bowing out of the post-season. Those conditions likely won’t be repeated this season as both the Buccaneers and Falcons figure to be much improved. Books don’t foresee another playoff game for the Panthers, whose rebuild continues.
2. HOUSTON TEXANS (-150)
You have to wonder what’s going through the minds of the suits in the front office after C.J. Stroud spit the bit against the Patriots in the playoffs last January, throwing four interceptions in the first half alone which led to a playoff exit. Granted, Houston had gotten by Pittsburgh in the first round, but Stroud had two fumbles and an interception – which Houston survived due to its superb defense. All of which has led to questions as to whether Stroud will continue to be The Guy for this franchise. No one is expecting Jacksonville to take a step back after winning the AFC South last year, so there could be a lot of heat on the Texans.
3. CHICAGO BEARS (+105)
Credit Caleb Williams for finally figuring things out and providing the spark which led to several late game comeback victories and a playoff spot in 2025. But can they really continue to walk on the edge of the cliff before falling over? There figures to be some reversion to the mean this coming season. Chicago will also have to do some repair work along the offensive line after the surprising decision to retire by All-Pro center Drew Dalmon. The Bears don’t have a lot of money to spend in free agency, so they’ll look the plug holes during the draft. Defensive line is an area of need.
4. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (+155)
Mike McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin on the sidelines, and McCarthy immediately inherits the Aaron Rodgers Will He Return or Not? scene. Even if he does return, Rodgers will turn 43 before the playoffs begin this coming season, and only one quarterback in NFL history (Tom Brady) has started and won a playoff older than Rodgers will be. At some point the carriage turns into a pumpkin. Can Rodgers even survive another 17-game season without suffering a major injury? One more thing – Baltimore figures to be a lot better this year, making life more difficult for the Steelers.
5. GREEN BAY PACKERS (-205)
Green Bay has been hit hard by the off-season. Tackle Rasheed Walker left for the Panthers, wideout Romeo Doubs signed with New England, backup QB is now with Miami, defensive end Kingsley Enegbare signed with the Jets and several other key pieces are gone. No one knows when linebacker Micah Parsons will get on the field – he suffered an ACL tear in Week 15. He’s a huge part of the Green Bay defense. With the talented Detroit Lions eager to rebound after an off-season, the Packers will probably need to improve a bit over last year’s 9-7-1 to return to the post-season.
