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6 NFL Playoff teams that won’t return to postseason in 2019

By Randy Gurzi

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 06: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears calls a play in the huddle against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 06: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears calls a play in the huddle against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Brandon Dunn #92 and J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans celebrate an interception against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Brandon Dunn #92 and J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans celebrate an interception against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at NRG Stadium on January 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

3. Houston Texans

In his first two seasons in the NFL, Deshaun Watson has proven to be among the best in the game. He’s given the Houston Texans their first legitimate franchise quarterback and as long as he’s under center, they have a chance to win. So how can they land on the list of potential teams to miss the postseason? To find that answer, you have to look at their division.

The AFC South looks ready to run through Indianapolis once again. After a 1-5 start, the Colts reeled off nine wins in their final 10 games. They wound up one game shy of the Texans for the South title, but then beat them in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs by a score of 21-7. Since then, Indianapolis has added some new talent such as Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell on offense as well as Rock Ya-Sin and Ben Banogu on defense.

They’re not the only team to improve as the Jacksonville Jaguars landed Nick Foles in free agency as they’ve finally upgraded over Blake Bortles. They still boast some talented defenders and could see a return to their 2017 form — which saw them make it to the AFC Championship game.

Due to that competition, the Texans have a much more difficult road to the playoffs this season than they did a year ago.

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