This NFL season has been a rollercoaster filled with unexpected turns leading into the offseason. Injuries and coaching changes were not in everyone’s favor this year, but teams who maintained health and confidence rose to the top.
Tank Dell, a wide receiver for the Houston Texans, suffered an ACL tear and dislocated his left knee. Dell was then placed on injury reserve, as was Stefon Diggs, another Texan wide receiver who tore his ACL in his right knee in October. Although these are Texan quarterback CJ Stroud’s main targets, the team secured a playoff spot with a 10-7 record.
The Texans were defeated 14-23 in the second round of playoffs by the number one seed, the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a 15-2 record overall. Houston’s divisional round exit wasn’t negative as the team went through much adversity during the season.
The Los Angeles Rams were 1-4 before their week five bye and only had a 4% chance of making the playoffs. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the second leader in the NFL for most receiving yards in a single season, suffered a Pedal Ankle Sprain and missed five games. Wide receiver Puka Nacua came off a PCL Knee Sprain and missed five games. When these two impactful players returned, the Rams improved significantly, as they finished first in the NFC West with a 10-7 record overall this season.
The Rams played this Sunday in the divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, PA. LA couldn’t keep up in the snowy conditions, resulting in a 22-28 loss.
In the 2023-2024 season, the Washington Commanders finished last in the NFC East with an overall record of 4-13, switching between quarterbacks Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett the entire season. The Commanders fired Ron Rivera, who served four seasons as head coach. This season, the tables turned as Washington hired Dan Quinn, a defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.
During Quinn’s first season as head coach for the Washington Commanders, they finished second in the NFC East, with a 12-5 record. Not only did his team’s record improve from last season, but he also led the Commanders to the NFC Championship, which will be played on Jan. 26 against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Although the coaching staff has played a crucial role in the improvement of the team, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels from Lousiana State University has played a big part in changing the dynamic of the team. Daniels threw for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in the regular season.
Daniels’ favorite target, Terry Mclaurin had 13 touchdowns this year, which is the most in his career. He was ranked second in most touchdowns this season as a wide receiver, with Bengal’s Ja’amar Chase being first. Mclaurin broke his record for most touchdowns in a season, as his previous record was seven in the 2019 season.
These three teams showed perseverance throughout the 2024-2025 season. Through patience and resilience, they managed to power through difficult times and succeed.
