Two underrated teams that will return to the NFL playoffs in 2025

A new NFL season is just around the corner, and just as a fresh campaign presents an opportunity for Super Bowl-hopefuls to reach the promised land, it also gives teams that missed the postseason a chance to aim for more. 

While there should be several familiar franchises in the 2025 NFL playoffs, there are also a handful of teams that could surprise after underwhelming in 2024.

Here are two of them.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were expected to make a more substantial leap under first-year head coach Raheem Morris in 2024, especially after former head coach Arthur Smith drove the team's offense into the ground the year prior. However, Kirk Cousins disappointed as the franchise's new answer at quarterback, prompting Atlanta to turn toward Michael Penix Jr.

While the former Washington Husky could take some time to get acclimated during his first full season as a starter, Penix Jr. boasts a higher ceiling than his veteran counterpart. He could provide a serious boon to an offense stacked with young talent on offense. Running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and even tight end Kyle Pitts have shown signs of stardom, yet the Falcons' scoring offense has been nothing more than average with them on the team. Penix Jr. could fix that.

The most pressing issue for Atlanta was never the offense, though; it was the defense. After allowing 24.9 points per game in 2024, the Falcons addressed their defensive needs in both free agency and the draft. Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker and Tennessee defensive end James Pearce should both make a day-one impact as first-round selections. Meanwhile, free-agent additions such as linebacker Leonard Floyd and defensive end Morgan Fox will shore up the team's other holes on defense. 

What could be the biggest key to Atlanta's playoff hopes, though, is the fact that it plays in the notably weak NFC South. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a candidate to fall off after winning the division the past four years. At the same time, the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers should remain firmly out of the playoff picture for the next couple of years. If Atlanta takes advantage of its soft schedule, the franchise should return to the postseason for the first time since 2017.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars followed up two 9-8 campaigns with a ghastly 4-13 season in 2024, causing many to forget just how close this team is to playoff contention. As a result, the franchise replaced its most important coaching positions, hiring Liam Coen, Grant Udinski and Anthony Campanile as head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, respectively.

Jacksonville was pitiful on both sides of the ball last season, ranking 26th in points for (18.8 per game) and 28th in points against (25.6). The team addressed its needs by trading up in the draft for two-way star Travis Hunter, who should shine on both sides of the ball. Safety Eric Murray and cornerback Jourdan Lewis will also play prominent roles for this reshaped defense.

Like New Orleans, Jacksonville plays in a division filled with uncertainty. The Houston Texans have already been crushed by injury, the Tennessee Titans will feature a rookie quarterback in Cam Ward and the Indianapolis Colts have plenty of signal-caller questions to be answered once the season kicks off. After a devastating 2024, the Jaguars are a prominent bounce-back candidate with a prime opportunity to win the AFC South.