Six NFL Teams That Will Rebound in 2009

The 2008 season was a disappointment for many NFL fans. For some, the aches and pains will continue for years to come, but for others, things are about to change.

In this most recent postseason, only five teams returned in hopes of a Super Bowl title—none of which included 2007's 16-0 New England Patriots or the NFC runner-up Green Bay Packers.

Here are six teams that will bounce back from devastating failure to playoff seasons.

Chicago Bears

Although Chicago showed its inconsistency in 2008, you have to be impressed with the play of first year starting quarterback Kyle Orton, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 18 scores to only 12 interceptions.

The uproar of rookie running back Matt Forte has heads turning in every direction. In just his first season in Chicago, Forte rushed for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns. Not only was Forte effective on the ground, but he also grabbed 63 receptions for 477 yards and four more scores.

It's clear that Chicago's defense was not the same as previous years. Chicago failed to make the top 12 in total defense, passing, and rushing (ypg) in 2008. The Bears must utilize their draft position and improve their defense for the upcoming season.

Chicago’s defense is not the only thing that needs improvement. In 2006 Devin Hester had five return touchdowns, and in 2007 he had six. Hester returned neither a kick nor a punt return for a score in 2008. Special teams have been a huge reason why the Bears have seen success in the past.

If Chicago can learn to trust Kyle Orton as their quarterback, and continue to hand the ball off to Matt Forte, look for Chicago to get back in the playoff mix when 2009 rolls around.

Green Bay Packers

No, the Packers don't need Brett Favre to be successful. They need a defense, and they need it now. How many coaches did the Packers fire this offseason? One? Keep guessing—how about six, which includes defensive coordinator Bob Sanders.

The Packers' 6-10 record is the worst since 1991, excluding their 4-12 season in 2005.

The Packers also struggled with injuries this past season, which included their leading tackler for the past five seasons, Nick Barnett. Four of Green Bay's six wins came when Barnett was on the field. Since he's been in the league, he's gone over 100 tackles every year. This season he accumulated only 49 stops. The Packers need him to be successful.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers exceeded all expectations in his first season as a starter, as he ranked fourth in yards passing with 4,038 and passing with touchdowns with 28. Rodgers only threw 13 interceptions and started all 16 games in 2008.

If the Packers want to make it back to the postseason, they need to improve their defensive status. They need to get their “hard-nosed” attitude back and play like the Green Bay Packers we once knew. If Ryan Grant and Greg Jennings continue to make plays for Rodgers, there’s should be no reason why you don’t see Green Bay in the playoffs next season.

New England Patriots

Does anyone honestly think the New England Patriots will fail to make the playoffs for two consecutive seasons? No, I don’t either.

Despite an 11-5 record in 2008, somehow, some way, the Patriots found a way to miss the postseason for the first time since 2002. Let’s give them a break though; four of their five losses came to playoff teams, one being the Super Bowl champions in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Who was the other team that made the Super Bowl this past season? Was it the Arizona Cardinals? Yes, the Patriots lit them up in a 47-7 win in week 15.

The New England Patriots were also missing Tom Brady, the NFL’s best quarterback, who suffered a knee injury in week one of the regular season. With Brady returning, who is going to stop the New England Patriots?

Wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker aren’t a defense’s best friend either. Since Moss has been in Foxboro he’s totaled over 2,500 yards and 34 touchdowns in just two seasons. Welker hasn’t been much different, as he’s tallied over 2,300 yards and 11 scores. Welker also has grabbed 223 balls in just two seasons in New England.

If the New England defense can keep teams under four touchdowns a game, there is no reason why you won’t see the “dynasty” back in the playoffs competing for their fourth title in the last nine seasons.

Houston Texans

Yes! This is finally the year the Houston Texans make it out of the regular season. In 2008, the Texans put up their highest win total since entering the league in 2002. Six of the Texans' eight losses in 2008 came from playoff teams.

If the Texans want to make their first ever postseason appearance, the defense needs to improve—a lot! Even when Houston won, they still managed to give up three-plus plus touchdowns. Only on four different occasions did the Texans hold the opposing team below 21 points.

Young talent such as Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans will continue to improve, but if the Texans do in fact want to make a run towards playoffs, the improvement needs to come in the secondary. The Texans intercepted just 12 passes all season, four of them coming from CB Jacques Reeves.

It’s clear that the Texans have no problem scoring, as they averaged nearly 23 points per game in 2008. The Texans also ranked third in the entire NFL in offensive yards per game with 382.1

It doesn’t matter who’s the quarterback for this team—just continue to throw the ball up to Andre Johnson, who posted over 1,500 yards receiving and 115 receptions. If that doesn’t work, hand the ball off to Steve Slaton, who bulleted for a Houston-best 1,659 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

See you in January, Houston.

Dallas Cowboys

I think it’s fair to say the Dallas Cowboys were the biggest disappointment in the entire NFL in 2008. With two games remaining in the season, Dallas was in complete control of their destiny. They then lost to Baltimore in a 33-24 final. Approaching the final game of the season at Philadelphia, it was win or go home.

Dallas was defeated 44-6 and went home. The Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game since 1996, when they beat Minnesota in a wild card game at Texas Stadium.

For Dallas fans, the past is history. Dallas’s defense was not the problem in 2008, as they were ranked eighth in total yards, fifth in passing, and 12th in rushing.

Dallas accumulated 59 sacks throughout 2008, 20 of which came directly from linebacker DeMarcus Ware. Dallas also received eight sacks apiece from Bradie James, Jay Ratliff, and Greg Ellis.

An injured Marion Barber didn’t help Dallas’s chance in pursuing the postseason; for the fourth year in a row Barber failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. Dallas ranked 21st in rushing yards per game in 2008. It is clear the Cowboys need to improve up front.

Dallas does not have a starting lineman under the age of 30. It’s time for young legs, and it’s for time for them now. If Dallas wants to return to the playoff picture, they need to make changes, starting with the offensive line.

The weapons are there. Tony Romo will continue to throw touchdowns to Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. Barber will continue to bulldoze, and the Dallas defense will be all over the field as usual.

Dropping Adam Jones (I call him by his correct name) was the best thing Dallas did in a while. If they keep their issues in the locker room and play as a team, look out for Dallas come 2009.

New Orleans Saints

Before you tell me that the Saints play in one of the best divisions in the NFL, I already know. The worst record in the NFC South was 8-8, which was indeed the New Orleans Saints. The division is so equally spread out it’s almost hard to comprehend. It’s a constant battle every time one of these four teams plays each other.

The Saints obviously have the edge in the offensive category. In 2008 the Saints ranked first in the NFL in points, total yards, and passing yards per game. No one in the entire league can slow Drew Brees down, as he threw for over 5,000 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2008.

Seven different Saint receivers caught 30-plus balls or more. Zero Saint receivers went over the 1,000-yard mark. Sounds like a pretty balanced passing attack.

With Deuce McAllister aging rapidly, the Saints have to turn to all-purpose Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. If Bush can be consistent and stay healthy, the Saints will have absolutely no problem putting points on the board through the '09 season.

The big question is New Orleans' defense. In 2008 the Saints had one of the worst defenses, ranking 23rd or higher in almost every category.

The addition of John Vilma helped a little, but the Saints need help in secondary. The Saints need to sign a playmaking safety this offseason. Throughout 2008, New Orleans' three safeties combined for three interceptions, zero forced fumbles, and zero sacks. Philadelphia’s Brian Dawkins would be a great addition to the Saints' less than mediocre secondary.

If New Orleans can find a way to stop the passing game and still manage to put up like numbers on offense, you will see the Saints back competing as they did in 2006.