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2026 NFL Playoff Dark Horses Revealed
4 Feb
Summary
- Coaching changes for Cardinals, Raiders, and Giants noted.
- Saints, Bengals, Titans, Ravens, and Cowboys eyed for leap.
- Analysis focuses on teams missing playoffs this season.

With the 2026 NFL offseason underway, analysts are identifying teams poised for a dramatic turnaround after failing to reach the playoffs this past season. The landscape has shifted with significant coaching appointments. The Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders have secured their head coaches, while the New York Giants have named their new Offensive Coordinator.
Attention then turned to which franchises could emulate the Seahawks or Patriots by making an unexpected deep playoff push. The New Orleans Saints were singled out as a team capable of a substantial leap. Further analysis pointed to the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans as potential surprise contenders.
Rounding out the potential dark horses, the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys were also highlighted. These teams, having missed the postseason, are now being closely watched for their potential to drastically improve and challenge for a championship in the upcoming season.




