The NFL is one of the rare pro sports leagues where your team can go from last place one year to Super Bowl contenders the next.
In the 2021 NFL season, we saw the Cincinnati Bengals go from picking third overall in the NFL Draft to representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.
In the 2020 NFL season, we saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go from a dismal 7-9 to Super Bowl champions.
It’s possible for teams to become contenders in a single offseason, although we all know it takes more than just one good offseason.
For some teams, though, one offseason can bring the missing piece to make teams contenders in their respective conferences.
Which NFL teams could go from being in last place during the 2021 season to being in the Super Bowl in 2022?
Let’s take a look at three intriguing candidates.
From last place to Super Bowl NFL team no. 3 Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens may be the most likely team, in the eyes of many, to go from last place in 2021 to representing their conference in the Super Bowl.
In 2019, the Ravens had the league MVP and they looked like they might be on the cusp of becoming some kind of dynasty.
Since then, Lamar Jackson’s productivity has taken a dip and the Ravens have had to reload their roster.
They did exactly that in the 2022 offseason, and while they’re not a perfect roster (no one is), Jackson has proven that when he’s healthy, he can carry this team far.
This Ravens team could have a dominant offensive line and running game in 2022.
The defensive backfield got massive upgrades with:
- A healthy Marcus Peters
- Free Agent safety Marcus Williams
- Top draft pick Kyle Hamilton
The Ravens may need to look into adding another pass rusher or two as the offseason progresses, but Lamar Jackson in a contract year and with a chip on his shoulder?
That could be a championship formula.
From last place to Super Bowl NFL team no. 2: Carolina Panthers
Of all three teams on this list, I feel like the Carolina Panthers come with the biggest caveat.
This team needs to acquire Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield.
Is trading for Garoppolo or Mayfield really a championship-caliber move? Maybe not, but I think a move like that would give the Panthers the best chance out of every NFC team to go from last place to representing the conference in the Super Bowl.
The other candidates:
- Detroit Lions
- New York Giants
- Seattle Seahawks
Before the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks might have been the obvious choice here. That’s obviously no longer the case.
I toyed with the idea of putting the Detroit Lions on this list because I love what they’ve done this offseason and I like their coaching staff a lot.
Jared Goff has already been to a Super Bowl, and the Lions got a lot better in 2022. I also think they have a very underrated offensive line which could go a long way this season.
The Carolina Panthers made some similarly impressive moves and they’re getting key players back from injury.
If they can acquire a player like Mayfield or even Garoppolo, this offense has a chance to be better than just competent.
With a healthy Christian McCaffrey and the additions of guys like top pick Ikem Ekwonu and free agents Bradley Bozeman and Austin Corbett, Carolina might have the best chance — on paper — to go from last place to NFC Champs.
From last place to Super Bowl NFL team no. 1: Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have finally exited quarterback purgatory.
At long last, the Broncos have acquired a quarterback that can keep them in Super Bowl contention in the long six years since Peyton Manning has retired.
The post-Manning QB era for the Broncos has been ugly, but Russell Wilson has completely revived this team’s Super Bowl hopes.
The Broncos have gone from last place in the AFC West to being a legitimate threat to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
If that seems ridiculous, keep in mind that the Bengals made a much bigger jump last year.
Many already thought the Broncos had the kind of roster that could compete for a championship, they were just missing the quarterback.
They are no longer missing the quarterback.
Russell Wilson’s arrival boosts the stock of every offensive skill player in Denver, and there are many good ones.
Players like Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler, Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon, and young tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam as well as rookie Greg Dulcich all make up one of the most impressive collections of young talent in the league.
Paired with a defense that has already been among the top 10 in the NFL over the last three seasons, you have a championship formula in Denver.
In addition to pursuing Russell Wilson via trade, the Denver Broncos and GM George Paton really prioritized the pass rush heavily this offseason, signing Randy Gregory in free agency, using the team’s top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Nik Bonitto, and moving Baron Browning to the edge.
The Broncos are going to be back in a big way in 2022.