After listing five NFL teams that will take a step forward in 2024, today I look at five teams that could take a step backwards. Injuries are a big reason for this, but every year there are teams that struggle when we don’t see it happening. It could be coaching or not executing. Here are five teams that could take a step back this season.
NFL Teams Taking A Step Back: Dallas Cowboys
![5 NFL Teams That Will Take A Step Backwards In 2024 1 Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talk during the game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21960850_168400517_lowres-1024x683.webp)
I would be surprised if the Dallas Cowboys did not make the playoffs this season. After going 12-5 last season and an embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card game, the seat for head coach Mike McCarthy is likely pretty warm headed into this NFL season. Could the pressure get to them this year? We will have to see.
At the end of the day, players like Dak Prescott, CeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons are sill the leaders of this team. It’s hard to see the Eagles ending the season like they did last year. As a result, I think the NFC East comes down to those two teams. I would not sleep on Washington either. I think this team could win 10-11 games.
Minnesota Vikings
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After going 7-10 last season, the Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. Minnesota did a great job in the draft landing two first round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. They did not move up to the top five to get a quarterback. Instead, they stayed at pick 11 and selected J.J. McCarthy. They also used pick 17 to take Dallas Turner. The Vikings also add former Green Bay Packer Aaron Jones.
I think 7-10 wins is a pretty accurate prediction this year too. The Vikings added veteran quarterback Sam Darnold and he will likely start until McCarthy is ready. Players like Jones, Justin Jefferson, and T.J. Hockenson will still keep this offense in games. I think the quarterback position will dictate where this team goes.
Buffalo Bills
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Josh Allen is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He alone will win games for the Bills this season. As long as he is the signal caller, Buffalo is still a Super Bowl contender.
However, the Bill traded Stefon Diggs to Houston this off-season. Diggs, an outspoken receiver who has a history of being unhappy when not getting targets, acted a similar way last season. Like the end of this tenure in Minnesota, it appeared to be the end of the road between Diggs and Buffalo.
Second year tight end Dalton Kincaid will have to make that second year jump as he could very well be the go-to target for Allen. The Bills could win 11 games like they did last year, but I could see 10 wins or every a little fewer this season.
New Orleans Saints
![5 NFL Teams That Will Take A Step Backwards In 2024 4 Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands off the ball to running back Alvin Kamara (41) during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21655431_168400517_lowres-1024x683.webp)
The NFC South is not a good division as it only took nine wins to take the division last season. Derek Carr is the definition of an average quarterback. You know what you’re getting with Carr every Sunday. It’s not horrible, but it’s nothing special.
I see the Falcons or the Buccaneers winning the NFC South this year. The Saints also see Dallas, Philadelphia, and Kansas City early on the schedule. I don’t see them winning those games. I do like Chris Olave on offense, but he’s the biggest play-maker on that side of the ball. After winning nine games last season, this could be a year New Orleans has a losing record.
Denver Broncos
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I’m pretty certain on this choice. After losing Russell Wilson, Denver will be one of the worst teams in the NFL and will be in a rebuild this season after winning eight games last year. They did select Bo Nix in the first round to be their future starting quarterback, but it will be a few years before he is ready.
This team will have to relay on their defense this year as I don’t think they will score enough points to win most games. Don’t be surprised if Denver is near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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