Which 2021 NFL playoff teams will miss the playoffs in 2022?

Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that 14 teams qualify for the playoffs in the NFL, making the postseason becomes easier. Which 2021 playoff teams, though, will miss them in 2022?

Just about every year in the NFL, teams who made the playoffs the previous year miss them in the current year, and some teams who missed the playoffs in the previous year make them in the current year.  It’s a unique occurrence in the NFL that seems to hold true every year.

The 2022 season will be no different.  There are a few playoff teams in 2021 who might just miss the playoffs in 2022.

The AFC is especially loaded.  Non-playoff teams in 2021 got much better, including the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Some 2021 AFC playoff teams also got worse, like the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots.

Then, the AFC has a few Wild Card teams.  It’s still unknown what might happen with Deshaun Watson, which could make or break the Browns’ season.  And is it a guarantee that Lamar Jackson bounces back from his shaky 2021 season?

There are a few teams that are a shoo-in for the postseason in each conference, including the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC.

However, there will be a few 2021 playoff teams that will ultimately miss the postseason in 2022.

New teams make the playoffs every year in the NFL, and this year should see even more of these new teams make the postseason.

So, which 2021 playoff teams will miss the playoffs in 2022?

NFL 2022
Jan 16, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in action during the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Cowboys will miss the NFL playoffs in 2022

123. . Dallas Cowboys. . 3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

The Dallas Cowboys made the playoffs last year after a very strong 12-5 season.  However, Dallas went 6-0 in their division and 6-5 outside of it.

They were able to take advantage of three teams who had no identity, but this year will be different.

Dallas’ free agency period wasn’t good.  They lost La’el Collins to the Bengals, Randy Gregory to the Denver Broncos, and traded Amari Cooper for nothing to the Browns.

It was clear that they were in a cap crunch, and their team on paper simply is not as talented as it was in 2021.

Moreover, each of their NFC East rivals got better in 2021.  The Giants had a great offseason, capped off with drafting Evan Neal and Kayvon Thibodeaux in the first round of the draft.

The hire of Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll also gives the Giants a bit of an identity going forward.

The Eagles’ offseason was stellar, acquiring AJ Brown, and making very solid moves in the draft and free agency.

Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean give the Eagles a boost along the front seven, and James Bradberry gives the Eagles another cornerback, something they desperately needed.

The Commanders got better as well, trading for Carson Wentz and inserting him into a very solid roster that features a great offensive line, solid weapons, and a very talented defense.

I think there’s a real chance that Dallas finishes third in the NFC East, which probably isn’t going to be enough to make the postseason.