3 Teams Poised to Break Out This Season
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The first week of preseason football is done and over with and we're about 3 weeks away from the start of real football (about damn time). Football is probably the only of the 4 major sports where a team that missed the playoffs last year can come out of nowhere and make the playoffs and make noise. The start of the "A Few Good Mics" NFL preview starts with the 3 teams I think are poised for a breakout season. As always feel free to share, and comment below your opinions.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars not only made some big noise this offseason with the signings of DE Malik Jackson, RB Chris Ivory, and CB Prince Amukamara, but they had a great draft being able to get Florida State DB Jalen Ramsey at #5 and UCLA LB Myles Jack in the 2nd round. Head coach Gus Bradley finally has some weapons to work with on the defensive side of the ball and that is especially true with last year's #3 overall pick Dante Fowler coming back from an ACL injury. Fowler has been getting rave reviews starting out camp this year, with several teammates comparing him to reigning Super Bowl MVP Von Miller. Combine that with an improving Blake Bortles who finished last year 7th in passing yards and 2nd in touchdowns, the Jaguars should be a very tough team to beat this season and should contend for the AFC South division crown.
Will Brock Osweiler prove to be worth the $72 million the Texans paid him this summer?
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2. Houston Texans
The Texans are hard for me to call a "breakout" team, but when it comes to this team, breakout would mean success in the playoffs. I'm a lot higher on the Brock Osweiler signing than most people, because if you think that you can get you're QB of the future, you pay what it takes to get him and that's exactly what the Texans did. Keep in mind that the Broncos likely don't make the playoffs if it wasn't for Osweiler keeping that offense functional. Also with the additions of Lamar Miller through free agency, and Will Fuller and Braxton Miller on draft night, the Texans offense should be a lot more dynamic after finishing 19th in total offense last season.
2nd year WR Amari Cooper can help the Oakland Raiders once again become the class of the AFC West and give the Raiders their first playoff appearance since 2002
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3. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders for the last few seasons have been building a foundation of great young talent, and now it's time for all of that to come to fruition. Derek Carr has proven himself to be one of the great young quarterbacks in the game, and Khalil Mack has already established himself as one of the most feared pass rushers in the game. General Manager Reggie McKenzie made big upgrades on the defensive side of the ball adding CB Sean Smith, LB Bruce Irvin, and S Reggie Nelson. Take that with all the losses the Denver Broncos suffered this offseason, the Raiders should take the next step and challenge for the AFC West title.
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