A number of forgotten about NFL teams have made serious runs over the last few weeks. After tough starts to 2015, five specific franchises have all saved their respective seasons in last month or so. The ship steadied, now is the time to start thinking playoffs.
Here are five teams surging into postseason contention after Week 11:
Kansas City Chiefs
Left for dead after losing five straight games and running back Jamaal Charles for the season, the Chiefs have won four games in a row to climb back to .500. Kansas City has allowed just 39 points (9.8 per game) over the four-game winning streak, while both Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware have played big roles in replacing Charles’ production within the offense.
Overall, the Chiefs have won by an average margin of over three touchdowns since dropping to 1-5, including Sunday’s 30-point win in San Diego. With the NFL’s easiest remaining schedule, Kansas City looks like a good bet to make the postseason as one of the AFC’s top six teams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers haven’t had a winning season since 2010, with 47 total losses over the last four years. Things are changing in Tampa Bay, where top pick Jameis Winston is leading a franchise revival. The Bucs have won two straight games and three out of the last four to get to 5-5.
With six games left, Tampa Bay finds itself one game out of the NFC postseason picture. Divisional showdowns with the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers loom, but Sunday’s 45-17 beatdown of the Eagles in Philadelphia should provide Lovie Smith’s young team with some confidence for the final stretch. From two wins and the first overall pick to the postseason in one year would be some turnaround.
Houston Texans
The Texans have won three straight games since getting lit up by the Miami Dolphins back in late October. Houston has allowed just 29 points over the three wins (Miami scored 44 in the loss), while receiver DeAndre Hopkins (1,045 receiving yards) has kept the the Texans offense productive enough despite a rotating door at quarterback.
Now 5-5, the Texans are currently tied with the Indianapolis Colts atop the unpredictable AFC South. Week 12 brings the struggling Saints to Houston. A team that was once 2-5 will have a golden opportunity to get to 6-5 before the start of December.
Seattle Seahawks
Three wins in four games has improved the Seahawks to 5-5 in 2015. Seattle rolled over San Francisco in Week 11, using a huge day from undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls (209 yards rushing) to power a blowout win over the club’s biggest rival.
The Seahawks have held a fourth quarter lead in every game this season, which makes the .500 start all the more maddening. But a team that has dealt with heart break after heart break keeps fighting back, and there’s too much talent—especially on defense—for Seattle to fade from the postseason discussion. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and losses by the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons would vault the Seahawks into the No. 6 spot in the NFC. The reigning conference champs are lurking in the shadows.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The 4-6 Jaguars didn’t get any help on Sunday, as the Colts and Texans both won to halt Jacksonville’s rise up the standings in the AFC South. Still, the improving Jaguars have won two straight games and three out of the last four, and a less than intimidating remaining schedule should provide an opportunity for Gus Bradley’s team to make a serious run at a division title to end 2015.
Jacksonville plays the 2-8 Chargers on Sunday before divisional games against the Titans and Colts in back-to-back weeks. Win all three and the Jaguars would be looking at a 7-6 record and a likely lead in the AFC South. Stranger things have happened in the NFL.