Rising from the Ashes: Three NFL teams to go from worst to first in 2024

Heading into the 2024 season, there are multiple NFL teams set to potentially go from worst in their division, to winning them.

In the NFL, turnover is constant. Players who are at the top of their positions suddenly see their performance fall off while others rise up to take their spots. Coaches and front office members are changed frequently, leading to different visions from organizations in a short period of time. The most consistent turnover, however, is the play on the field. Every single season, some teams rocket up from the bottom of the standings to the top of them. They beat all expectations and give their fanbases true hope for success in the future.

There will be a few of those teams in 2024. The key, though, is to find who they will be. Follow along to see which three NFL teams will likely go from worst to first in 2024.

Cincinnati Bengals

Out of all the teams on the list, the Cincinnati Bengals are the most likely to bounce back from their last-place finish in 2024.

For starters, the Bengals still finished with a winning record of 9-8 in a loaded AFC North. This was despite losing Joe Burrow for a large stretch of the year and sustaining other injuries to key players.

Heading into next season, Burrow should be healthy and ready to get back to his elite level of play. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are arguably the best wide receiver duo in football, while new addition Mike Gesicki is a fun addition to the passing game. The offensive line has also improved, with Trent Brown and Ted Karras added to their unit.

On defense, the Bengals improved by adding the likes of Geno Sone through free agency and Kris Jenkins through the NFL draft.

With a last-place schedule and a healthy roster, the Bengals are the sleeping giant in the AFC North. If everything goes according to plan, it is very feasible to see Cincinnati return to the top of the division.

Chicago Bears

This pick is heading into bold territory, but the Chicago Bears have the talent on both sides of the ball to make some noise in the NFC North.

Chicago notably boosted their offense in the offseason. They drafted heralded prospect Caleb Williams at number one overall, selected Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze later in the first round, and traded for star wideout Keenan Allen.

These changes helped to strengthen a team that already had one of the best defenses in the NFL. Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Jaylen Johnson lead a very talented secondary, while Montez Sweat and T.J. Edwards headline the team’s front seven.

A playoff berth will likely come before a division title for the Bears. The Detroit Lions are an extremely formidable powerhouse in the division. The Green Bay Packers look to be on the rise with a young and explosive roster, while Minnesota still has the talent to compete against any opponent.

However, Chicago is not a slouch in the talent category. Anything is possible on Sundays, and if enough breaks right, Chicago could have a chance to challenge for a division title.

Arizona Cardinals

Bear with me here, but the Arizona Cardinals are positioned to be one of the sneakiest breakout teams in 2024.

The offense is extremely talented, adding Marvin Harrison Jr. to pair with Michael Wilson and Trey McBride as the primary playmakers. Trey Benson is positioned to be the running back of the future and forms a fun duo with James Conner in the present. Paris Johnson Jr. leads an underrated offensive line to protect Kyler Murray, who looks to be back to his elite playmaking ways.

Arizona also hosts one of the most underrated defenses in the league. Zaven Collins and Budda Baker are joined by rookies such as Max Melton and Darius Robinson. It gives the Cardinals talent at every level of their defense and allows head coach Jonathan Gannon to have plenty of weapons to work with.

In the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and even the Seattle Seahawks loom as significant threats for playoff positions. But with an improved roster and more comfortability in year two of Gannon’s tenure, do not count the Cardinals out from a NFL playoff run in 2024.