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6 NFL teams that won’t return to the playoffs in 2021

By Randy Gurzi

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 17: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 17: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Playoffs
Jan 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) walks off the field after throwing an interception to Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Sione Takitaki (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of an AFC Wild Card playoff game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Following an 11-0 start, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like a team ready to make a run for the Lombardi Trophy. But then, the bottom fell out.

They lost four of their final five games to finish 12-4, including a loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 where they pretty much gave up on trying to eliminate a team that knows them very well. Pittsburgh sat their starters and allowed Cleveland to get into the playoffs which proved costly.

The younger rivals were up for the challenge and beat up on the Steelers from the very start. Now, they head into 2021 with a weaker pass rush after losing Bud Dupree in free agency. They also have a diminished offensive line which is especially troublesome when their quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, is approaching 40.

Speaking of Big Ben, he was a shadow of his former self down the stretch and there was talk he could be done. Pittsburgh decided to bring him back as well as TikTok star and part-time receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. They did get better on the ground with Najee Harris, but a rookie running back won’t be enough to keep this team as competitive as they need to be in a suddenly dangerous AFC North.

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