Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of followers throughout the NFL. All year long we ask questions of probably the most plugged-in followers throughout the nation. Enroll right here to take part.
Going from worst to first within the NFL isn’t that uncommon of an final result. Every year there’s a crew that makes use of sturdy rookie play and a good schedule to shoot up the standings. However for just a few groups, that doesn’t start to indicate the journey.
The groups in that class – the Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets – weren’t simply unhealthy, they had been punchlines. These groups represented the underside of the NFL barrel. Even once they received a sport, followers nationally wouldn’t take them significantly.
However this season issues could also be altering. All 4 of these groups are inside shouting distance of the playoffs this season. Whereas a few of that has to do with weak divisions, it doesn’t change the truth that the previous bottom-feeders can now not be ignored.
Every crew is in a barely completely different place. The Jets are the one one of many group at present over .500, but additionally sit in final place within the AFC East. Regardless of some uncertainty on the quarterback place, the younger Jets are solely exterior of the playoff photos as of publish due to a tie-breaker with New England.
The Jaguars sit only one spot down from the Jets within the Wild Card race, however are simply as near claiming the AFC South title. With a win in hand already over the Titans and yet one more nonetheless to be performed, the Trevor Lawrence lead Jaguars may win their means right into a surprising division championship.
Within the NFC, the Lions are arguably the most popular crew within the league proper now exterior of Philadelphia. Detroit has received 5 of the final six video games, together with wins over every divisional opponent throughout that stretch. With a schedule filled with winnable video games remaining, the Lions have a shot of reaching even the sixth seed within the playoffs. They might do that and nonetheless draft a quarterback early within the draft due to the Matt Stafford commerce.
The most important shock stands out as the Panthers, who even earlier this season appeared to be enjoying for a draft decide. However in an especially weak NFC South, the Panthers are in second place and solely a sport out of first behind the Buccaneers.
After all, merely reaching the playoffs within the expanded NFL playoffs doesn’t imply a crew is “good.” What’s extra attention-grabbing is which crew can maintain success. On this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey, tell us which of these 4 groups will attain the AFC or NFC Championship Sport first.
Vote now and be looking out for outcomes later this week.