Five NFL Teams Poised to Be Perennial Contenders

The definition of perennial is very simple: lasting a long time.  Teams like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and until last year, the Indianapolis Colts have found themselves relevant and in contention for either a division crown or league championship.

However, the winds of change seem to be upon us as teams once thought to be obscure or a non-factor for a playoff berth have emerged as legitimate contenders not only within their division but their conference as well. 

Teams that were once considered stepping stones for established powerhouse teams are becoming a force to be reckoned with and have put the league on notice.

This list will feature teams that used to carry the loser or underachieving label and have finally started to reverse their fortunes. 

While every division has one team that is on the rise, the ones here have began to make a statement and shouldn't be considered doormats anymore.  These teams are making a bid to become perennial contenders.

On the Rise: Carolina Panthers

The offense looks to be one of the best and should remain as such with Cam Newton at the helm and a stable of very talented running backs.  The weapons the Panthers have on offense should be the envy of any team in the league.

However, there are still issues regarding their defense and special teams which hinders them from being considered perennial contenders.  If the problems are addressed and both units find success in 2012, they may be able to make a case for themselves. 

Carolina is still a work in progress.  They have the players and coaches in place to make this team very good.  While they should change the franchise's reputation and put together a string of winning seasons, it is too early to tell if that will happen this year or later down the road.

On the Rise: Buffalo Bills

The Bills were once a powerful, perennial contender in their own right in the early '90s.  While they appeared in four Super Bowls, they could never close the deal and win a championship.  Ever since, they have been just another footnote in a division dominated by the Patriots.

Buffalo went on a mission during the offseason to shore up the defense.  They signed DE Mario Williams to a big deal with the hopes he can help the team to a playoff appearance. 

Offensively, they have shown what they are capable of doing, but much of that depends on the health of Fred Jackson and the consistency of Steve Johnson. 

The key to success in Buffalo is winning in their division.  While they were successful against non-division foes, their record against AFC East rivals was 1-5.  Every winning season starts somewhere and for this team, it will start against those with whom they are very familiar.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons haven't had much success in their history but as the Mike Smith era has shown, change is coming.  Last year, Atlanta put together its first back to back winning seasons since joining the NFL.  They won their division in 2010 and earned a wild card berth in 2011.  Unfortunately, they were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round both years.

This team has a quality quarterback in Matt Ryan, two very good receiving threats in Roddy White and Julio Jones and a solid running back in Michael Turner.  Tony Gonzalez provides an additional target inside the red zone.  Defensively, they have a solid pass rush led by John Abraham.

The Falcons have established themselves as a team that will contend but need to get over the hump by winning playoff games.  Under Smith, the Falcons are 43-23 and perhaps one of most competitive squads to don the red and black. 

Their road to glory isn't easy, having to play the New Orleans Saints and the aforementioned Carolina Panthers twice each season.  Though it should be noted the Falcons have a ridiculously lopsided, yet favorable record against the Panthers at 22-12. 

Atlanta is up to the challenge and it shouldn't be a surprise to see them in the hunt each year.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals were once the laughingstock of the league.  After being contenders during the 80's, Cincy seemed to just disappear into the annals of irrelevance. 

Hope seemed to be restored with the addition of Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh leading the offense.  Of course, things did not go as planned and the team went in a new direction after the 2010 campaign.

Cincinnati took advantage of some quality draft picks and used them to bring in AJ Green and Andy Dalton.  The duo formed a great rapport with each other and helped guide the Bengals to the playoffs in 2011.  Naturally, there a feeling of optimism surrounding the team and the future seems to be bright.

The Bengals do find themselves in a division with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, so their schedule is not exactly the easiest every year.  Couple that with the string of injuries sustained thus far in the preseason and their task becomes more difficult.

Regardless, this team seems to be firing on all cylinders and looks better than it has in years past.  The injury bug may keep them from being as competitive this season but they shouldn't be counted out later down the road. 

Detroit Lions

If there was ever a team to rival the Bengals in terms of inferiority, it was the Lions.  The culmination of annual futility was highlighted by an 0-16 season in 2008.  They found success and rebounded last year earning a playoff bid in which they lost to New Orleans 45-28. 

What separates the Lions from everyone else their success rests with the health of Matthew Stafford.  He finally played an entire season and kept his team competitive in the NFC North. 

If all goes well, he should repeat last year's performance and guide his team back to the playoffs.  It helps to have a guy named Calvin Johnson as your primary receiver, too.

Like most of the teams on this list, the Lions have to get by divisional foes in order to be successful and achieve a winning record.  Green Bay is the current favorite in the division but the Chicago Bears always present a challenge. 

Given the talented teams they must play twice a year, the Lions find themselves in a division that is only rivaled by the NFC South.

Houston Texans

Houston won their division for the first time last season.  Having a Colts team missing Peyton Manning might have helped their cause.  The Texans look to have the most promise of the bunch as they gave everyone a lesson in perseverance last year. 

The team suffered from big injuries, including the quarterback position which eventually led to the starting of rookie TJ Yates.  Despite key losses, the Texans became division champions and saw them defeat the Cincinnati Bengals before falling to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round.

There really isn't much not to like about the Texans repeating their success in 2012 and beyond.  Matt Schaub is a capable quarterback and Andre Johnson is one of the best receivers in the league. 

Arian Foster and Ben Tate form one of the best running-back tandems in the league.  Defensively, they have Brian Cushing and Connor Barwin to set the tone. 

The Texans have the benefit of playing in a weak division.  Indianapolis is still rebuilding, Jacksonville is a mess and their real competition is the Tennessee Titans. 

This is a team that could find itself competing for a division crown every year but even if they come up short, they should have a winning record and perhaps a Wild Card spot to show for it.

San Francisco 49ers

There was a time when the 49ers were one of the most awful teams in the NFL.  Then Bill Walsh arrived on the scene.  Players like Joe Montana, Roger Craig and Jerry Rice turned the team around and they became a dynasty.  Success carried over into the '90s before they dropped from the playoff scene.

A new era is upon San Francisco and it is being led by head coach Jim Harbaugh.  The Niners fielded one of the most dominant defenses and easily won their division with a 13-3 record.  This was capped by a thrilling 36-32 victory over the Saints before falling to the eventual champion New York Giants.

What makes the Niners an interesting team on the rise is outside of the defense which is led by Patrick Willis, there aren't too many big-name players on the roster. 

The offense consists of Alex Smith who has had an up-and-down career, Pro Bowler Frank Gore and an interesting assortment of wide receivers consisting of Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss and Mario Manningham.  However, that is not an issue for a team that plays in a weak division.

Much like the Texans, the 49ers play in a division seemingly devoid of competition.  The Seattle Seahawks may be the one legitimate threat, but the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals are nowhere close to matching up with team from the Bay. 

That being said, San Francisco should be a perennial contender for years to come, and playing in perhaps the weakest division in the league will only further their success.