The 2024 NFL offseason is entering its next phase as the NFL Draft, free agency, and schedule release have concluded. With a clear picture of what teams will look like, and knowledge of who they will play, this is the time of the year when predictions start to arise. One of the hardest things to do in this league is make the playoffs in consecutive seasons and sportsbooks would agree, making three former playoff teams favorites to miss the NFL playoffs in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers -250 to Miss the NFL Playoffs
After making their eleventh playoff appearance under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers are -250 to miss the NFL playoffs, at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Pittsburgh Steelers are yet to have a losing record under Tomlin, and finished 10-7 in 2023 despite a revolving door at quarterback.
Pittsburgh spent the offseason trying to address the quarterback position by making moves to acquire Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. On March 11, 2024, The Steelers agreed to terms with Russell Wilson on a one-year contract. On March 16, 2024, the Steelers and Chicago Bears decided on a trade that sent Justin Fields to Pittsburgh. Former quarterback Kenny Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for draft compensation.
The Steelers didn’t lose any major contributors in free agency and even restructured elite pass rusher Alex Highsmith’s contract. Yet the sportsbooks believe the Steelers are due for regression in 2024.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -180 to Miss the NFL Playoffs
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a surprise team in 2023 led by comeback player of the year finalist Baker Mayfield. The Buccaneers finished the 2023 season 9-8 and were propelled to the playoffs by winning the NFC South division.
The Buccaneers spent their offseason by keeping their top contributors in Tampa Bay. The Bucs were able to re-sign safety Antoine Winfield Jr, wide receiver Mike Evans, and linebacker Lavonte David.
A lot of the expected regression by sportsbooks comes from the rise of the Atlanta Falcons with their addition of Kirk Cousins. History tells us this division will struggle to have a team get into the postseason as a wild card putting an even larger importance on winning the division. As of this writing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the second most likely odds to win the division at +290, at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Cleveland Browns -175 to Miss the NFL Playoffs
The Cleveland Browns went 11-6 in 2023, despite having to play multiple quarterbacks until the signing of Joe Flacco. This was largely due to their elite defense which ranked first in the NFL in yards allowed per game at 270.2 yards.
The Browns made a splash trade this offseason by acquiring former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos in exchange for draft compensation. This was a move made to add as much firepower to the offensive skill group as they could, while the team awaits the return of star running back Nick Chubb.
The biggest question mark for the Cleveland Browns will be the form of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Since Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson he has underperformed his contract and struggled to stay on the field. 2024 could be a make-or-break season for the eighth-year quarterback.
All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.
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