Dark-Horse NFL Teams That Could Make a Playoff Run in 2016

Everyone loves a good underdog story, and like any sport, the NFL does its part to churn them out on an annual basis.

Every year the NFL playoffs feature the current era's usual suspects, but a glass-slipper squad often claws its way into the picture—last year's Washington team and 2014's Detroit Lions are recent examples—hoping to make an improbable run for the Lombardi Trophy.

From wild-card sneak-ins that make it all the way to football's holy grail to longtime bottom-feeders that flip the switch and leap into the postseason conversation, the NFL playoffs story can rarely be told without a party crasher.

Looking for this year's version? Here are five teams ready to flip the script in 2016.

The following factors were considered when putting together this list:

• Overall talent
• Key players returning from injury
• Offseason additions
• Offensive/defensive balance

Honorable Mention

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens

Few teams were ravaged by injuries quite like the Ravens in 2015, but the combination of general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh could easily have this team back in contention this time around. Quarterback Joe Flacco consistently gives Baltimore a chance to win, and if the team can stay a bit more healthy on both sides of the ball, it'll push for a wild-card spot in 2016.

Dallas Cowboys

The big "if" is the health of Tony Romo, as his absence for most of 2015 was the largest contributing factor to the dismal 4-12 record for America's Team. If he's at full strength all year, the Cowboys should jump back into contention for a division title in the wide-open NFC East.

Miami Dolphins

Is this the year Ryan Tannehill turns the corner and takes the Dolphins with him to the playoffs? New head coach Adam Gase has worked wonders with quarterbacks in the past, and Tannehill has enough weapons at his disposal to be effective. They have balance on both sides of the ball, and if they finally put it all together on the field, they could sneak up the AFC East ladder in 2016.

New York Giants

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Tom Coughlin may be gone, but there's enough of the old guard left in the New York Giants to make another playoff run in 2016 behind two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.

Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo takes over as the head honcho in 2016, giving Manning and the rest of the offense plenty of familiarity to work with. A solid offensive line should help a wide-open backfield, and Manning will have plenty of weapons to throw to, from returning stars like Odell Beckham to fresh faces like second-rounder Sterling Shepard.

The G-Men spent big on defense in free agency, addressing their need for a dynamic pass-rusher with Olivier Vernon and bringing in a turnover-hungry cover man in Janoris Jenkins. The Giants' best teams in recent memory were marked by their depth along the defensive line, and this year's group could be a similar anchor in 2016.

Manning has enough to work with to make this team competitive. If the new additions on defense can play to their potential and the ground game does its part, the Giants could get back to the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl XLVI.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Bob Levey/Getty Images

There are a handful of teams building exciting young rosters across the NFL. One of them is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who appear ready to turn the corner from entertaining squad to successful contender.

Quarterback Blake Bortles is coming off a highly productive sophomore campaign—4,428 yards, 35 touchdowns in 2015—and he's got plenty of dynamic weapons at his disposal. From a trio of playmaking pass-catchers—Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Julius Thomas—to a two-headed monster in the backfield that now features both T.J. Yeldon and the newly acquired Chris Ivory, the Jags offense should be flying high again in 2016.

But for all the fireworks on that side of the ball, it's the defense that could finally turn the Jags back into a contender. Free-agent additions like defensive lineman Malik Jackson, cornerback Prince Amukamara and safety Tashaun Gipson will have high expectations to go along with their big paychecks, but they've got plenty of complementary talent around them.

Promising rookies Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack should give them a spark in the back seven, while the return of pass-rusher Dante Fowler—last year's first-round pick who missed his entire rookie season due to injury—will help bolster their efforts up front.

There's plenty to like in Bold City this year, and it could be that way for a long time if this group can play up to its collective potential.

Chicago Bears

Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears may have finished 6-10 and occupied the NFC North cellar in 2015, but the Monsters of the Midway are poised to make a return to the playoffs in just their second season under head coach John Fox.

Quarterback Jay Cutler was far less responsible for the team's recent woes than many seem to believe, and he's got a solid core of young talent around him, both in the trenches and at the skill positions.

Alshon Jeffery returns as his top playmaker in the passing game, and Kevin White—last year's top-10 pick who missed the entire season with a leg injury—will give Cutler another matchup nightmare down the field.

Longtime king of versatility Matt Forte is gone from the backfield, but young runners Jeremy Langford and rookie Jordan Howard should handle the duties just fine in 2016 and beyond. Guard Kyle Long will anchor an underrated offensive line that added quality help both in free agency with tackle Bobby Massie and via the draft with versatile second-rounder Cody Whitehair.

On defense, the Bears have made a surprisingly quick and effective overhaul while switching from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 system. The front seven has been completely rebuilt via the draft and free agency and should be leaps and bounds better than the unit the Bears had last year.

If Cutler can manage his mistakes and let his playmakers make their magic, while the new-look defense continues to build chemistry and comfort in the new scheme, the Bears could easily leap back into the division-title picture.

Oakland Raiders

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Even in a division that boasts the defending Super Bowl champs and another team with double-digit wins in 2015, it's not hard to argue the Oakland Raiders could end up being the most exciting team in the AFC West in 2016.

When it comes to dynamic young talent, pick your poison on either side of the ball with this group. Love high-flying offense? Quarterback Derek Carr and receiver Amari Cooper look poised to make big plays for years to come. An explosive sack-master more your thing? Khalil Mack is already one of the NFL's best, racking up 15 in just his second NFL season last year.

Known for their draft-day blunders in years past, the Raiders have put together fantastic classes over the last few years under general manager Reggie McKenzie.

This team is young at the core, but it brought in a few key veterans via free agency—cornerback Sean Smith, linebacker Bruce Irvin, guard Kelechi Osemele and safety Reggie Nelson—who can give it valuable experience to pair with its young talent. The Raiders showed flashes of brilliance last year, but 2016 could mark a new era and the Silver and Black's next step in a return to glory.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Just eight wins in two seasons got head coach Lovie Smith fired, but he left a team loaded with playmakers and ready to return to the playoffs, seeking their first postseason win since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy following the 2002 season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneer's biggest reason for excitement? Quarterback Jameis Winston, who was just the third rookie in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards. He looked like a seasoned veteran for much of his first NFL season and should only build on that in 2016, surrounded by a promising supporting cast led by star running back Doug Martin and inconsistent—but promising—pass-catcher Mike Evans.

On defense, the Bucs could benefit most from a change in leadership, as former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith takes over the defensive coordinator role and will bring a more diverse scheme to his one-time NFC South rival. With cornerstones like Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David already in place, this unit could make a quick turnaround and be a young quarterback's best friend in 2016.

After offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter led the Bucs to a franchise-best yardage total last year—ranking in the top five in the NFL—the team promoted him to head coach, allowing Winston to keep building on his comfort level in the offense. If he can build on last year's success and the defense can thrive in their new assignments, Tampa Bay could push for a wild-card spot behind the defending conference champion Carolina Panthers.