From the NFL Cellar to Playoff Bound: Three Teams to Watch in '09

The NFL has seen more parity than any other sport. Seven of the teams that made the playoffs in 2007 did not make it in 2008.  In fact, two of the teams at the bottom of their division in 2007 made their way to the playoffs in '08, with Miami winning their division.

In the spirit of the underdog, the following teams have a chance to climb out of the cellar and make the playoffs in 2009.

Buffalo Bills

Hate him or love him, Terrell Owens will work wonders for this team. A guy like Owens opens up the offense for everyone around him and forces the defense to double cover him.

You don't believe me? See the final five games of the year for the Giants, who lost Plaxico Burress for those contests.

The Bills started out the 2008 season 5-1 and were a popular pick to win the weak AFC East. However, with the emergence of Matt Cassel and the magic performed by Bill Parcells, the Bills flattened out and came up short.

The Bills are one of the NFL's youngest teams, and are only getting better. Trent Edwards is entering his second full season as the Bills starter and has improved from his rookie season. With T.O. and Lee Evans on the outsides, expect him to get even better.

Don't forget about Marshawn Lynch, either. Legal problems aside, he is a fantastic tail back. He is licking his chops at the six to seven man fronts he will be seeing with T.O. on the field.

They have a ball-hawking secondary with Leodis McKelvin, Terrence McGee, and Donte Whitner. With the 11th pick in this year's draft, they can get a pass rusher like Everette Brown or Michael Johnson and improve their defense that much more.

Don't sleep on the Bills in 2009.

Projected Record: 11-5.

Kansas City Chiefs

New Coach. New GM. New Quarterback. New Attitude.

Things are changing in Kansas City for the better. They nabbed former Patriots GM Scott Pioli, they got a young fiery coach in Todd Haley, and they basically stole Matt Cassel from New England for a second round pick.

That being said, this is basically a pick that is a product of a weak division: San Diego has a questionable offense with LT wearing down and a defense that no one seemed to be afraid of; the Broncos are apparently going in to rebuilding mode; and the Raiders are the Raiders...'nuff said.

This could be Kansas City's year to turn it around and be last year's Miami team. They have the third overall pick in the draft, and can look to improve a young, but talented, defense.

There's a bright future at Arrowhead, but it could start this season.

Projected Record: 9-7.

Washington Redskins

Now we get to the easy pick. 

While the Redskins finished last in their division, that division was the NFC East, and they were 8-8. With Dan Snyder throwing around money at everyone, most recently being sited in the Jay Cutler sweepstakes, they are implementing a 'win now' attitude in Washington.

This offseason, Albert Haynesworth became the first $100 million defensive lineman, and Snyder followed it up with a lucrative deal for CB Deangelo Hall. It's safe to say the Redskins are trying to keep up with the division in terms of defense. 

Last year, all four teams in the NFC East were in the top eight in terms of total defense. Look for Washington to improve with Haynesworth; a beast in the middle as well as a fantastic 'two-gap' pass rusher.

With Derrick Dockery's return to Washington, the Redskins can look forward to having one of the better offensive line's in the NFL, especially if they get a top tier offensive tackle with pick No. 13.

Yes, this was an easy pick because the NFC East is a crap-shoot.  This is all dependent on the health of Clinton Portis; it seems as he goes, Washington goes.

Projected Record: 12-4