4 NFL teams who didn’t make the playoffs, but will in 2026

No. 2: Indianapolis Colts

It’s been really easy to forget about the Colts in the lead-up to the season. Everyone has Houston and Jacksonville penciled in as playoff locks, ignoring that two more teams exist in the AFC South. How quickly we forget that the Colts went 8-4 prior to Daniel Jones’ season-ending achilles injury, and prior to that he was already dealing with a separate issue with his fibula. While Indianapolis lost some key names in free agency, they also retained their core. The Colts will have a full season of Sauce Gardner to help on the defensive side of the ball, the team expects Jones will make a full recovery, and their opponent slate includes two against the Titans, as well as the Dolphins and Browns. It’s a good opponent base to get back on track. I expect them to be a Wild Card team when playoff time rolls around.

No. 3: New York Giants

This is the pick that could easily backfire when it’s all said and done, mostly because it hinges on Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo to remain healthy — which wasn’t in the cards last year. Still, there are some unshakeable realities to this version of Big Blue:

1. John Harbaugh is the most profound coaching upgrade in the NFL this season
2. The Giants had a *killer* draft full of players who can help right away
3. The NFC East is profoundly chaotic, opening the door for anyone to surprise In looking at these Giants I just see the overwhelming potential of their pass rush, paired with Harbaugh’s mind for the game, and sprinkling in the offensive pop they’ve gained and it leaves me with an organization that it wouldn’t surprise me if they stun the NFL and win the NFC East.

No. 4: Kansas City Chiefs

This was iffy until reports emerged that Patrick Mahomes was ahead of schedule, with the belief he could make his return Week 1 of the regular season. That timeline might be a tad hopeful, but even if he’s able to come back in the first four or five games, well, the Chiefs will be a threat. There’s no doubt Kansas City was bad a year ago with far too many close games not going their way. Nine of their 11 losses in 2025 came by a single score or less, putting the Chiefs right at that pivot point where it’s fairly easy to see them flipping the script and netting a lot more wins. They have a difficult path through the Broncos and Chargers in the AFC West, but with Mahomes back and their new players integrated, I think Andy Reid will find a way to get this team back into the playoff picture.