The NFL is a fickle business. One year you’re on the top of the world and the next you’re searching for answers as to what went wrong. With 32 teams all vying for the same thing, there’s always bound to be disappointments. But it also means that several clubs also rebound and return to prominence each season. Here are my picks for resurgent squads in 2017.
NFL Bounce Back Teams for 2017
1. Carolina Panthers
The first pick of NFL bounce back teams for 2017. The loss of Josh Norman really hurt the identity of Ron Rivera’s team in 2016. They just never had the same swagger as they did the previous NFC championship season. Add in the fact that Luke Kuechly was lost for several games and you can see why they fell off. That said, if the Panthers can add a couple of pieces this offseason they can get back to the upper echelon.
2. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lost a lot of close games and could easily have been a couple of games better. With better finishing and continued stability in the front office and in the coaching ranks, Baltimore can surely regain playoff form.
3. Indianapolis Colts
It’s hard to imagine that we’ve seen the best of Andrew Luck. But it has now been a couple of seasons since he was the toast of the league. Indy will have some executive changeover to contend with this offseason but it shouldn’t affect how Luck rebounds. That said, the new GM MUST bring in some playmakers on defense or the Colts will once again be a 7-9 or 8-8 team.
4. Washington Redskins
The NFL team in D.C. had a disappointing end to a year in which big expectations loomed over them. Provided Kirk Cousins comes back, there’s no reason to think that Washington can’t regain playoff form.
5. Denver Broncos
With a new head coach and another year of experience for the young QBs, the Broncos could win the requisite extra game to get back into the Super Bowl hunt. The caveat here is that GM John Elway could actually acquire a vet like Cousins or Tony Romo – and then boy will they ever be a contender once again!
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.
