RADIO
Almost every year, at least one NFL team goes from worst to first in their division.
Whether it’s because of injuries, a few bad breaks, or just pure luck, some team has an outstanding year after struggling the season before.
Which teams could go from last in their division in 2023 to first in 2024? Let’s look at the two most likely candidates.
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Chicago Bears
The Bears finished last in the NFC North with a 7-10 record last season. However, the team made massive strides after having the worst record in the league the year before (3-14). Despite losing Justin Fields for 4.5 games, Chicago had their most wins in a season since 2020.
More importantly, they have significantly improved the roster this offseason. The Bears signed D'Andre Swift, Gerald Everett, and Kevin Byard in free agency. All three players should have meaningful roles in 2024. Furthermore, the team improved their offensive line, adding Ryan Bates, Coleman Shelton, and Matt Pryor.
However, Chicago's biggest move was acquiring Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers for a fourth-round pick. Two years ago, the Bears had arguably the worst receiving corps in the NFL. Now, they have two of the best wide receivers in the league.
🚨BREAKING
The Los Angeles Chargers are trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears pic.twitter.com/5ccQI16O5b
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 15, 2024
Chicago will likely draft Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Last year, C.J. Stroud took a last-place Houston Texans team and won the AFC South division in his rookie season. After all the moves the Bears have made this offseason, don’t be surprised if Williams pulls off what Stroud did last year.
Cincinnati Bengals
Injuries are part of the game of football. Unfortunately, they can ruin a season before it even starts. Last year, Joe Burrow suffered a calf strain in training camp that hampered him most of the season. Despite playing through the injury, he had the Bengals heading toward the playoffs. The team had won four of its past five games before the quarterback suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11.
BREAKING: #Bengals QB Joe Burrow is done for the season with his wrist injury. pic.twitter.com/iqU4o6c1F5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 17, 2023
Jake Browning was the team’s backup despite never playing in a regular-season NFL game in his career. Yet, the former Washington star played well, completing 70.4% of his pass attempts for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cincinnati won four of the seven games Browning started last season. Despite losing their franchise quarterback for half the year, the Bengals barely missed out on the playoffs.
Assuming Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase can stay healthy in 2024, Cincinnati can push the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North division title. They were division winners in 2022 with a 12-4 record, the sixth best in the NFL.
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