NFL: Best team turnarounds in recent memory

With Week 9 approaching, we are approaching the halfway point in the NFL. With that being said, there have been many ups and downs in overall projection within the teams. Nevertheless, this has many people recapping some of the best NFL turnarounds over the past couple of seasons.

Starting strong in 2021, there was a particularly notable team that had exceeded the expectations of many viewers. In 2020, the Bengals were 4-11, ranking last in the AFC North.

With the lack of defense covering Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, he took 51 sacks in his season. Many say that the improvement in defense with Trey Hendrickson in 2021 had led them to a lot of their wins secured.

In 2020 they were also dealing with a lot of injuries on the team, including Joe Burrow’s knee injury early in the 10th week, putting him out of the season until his comeback in 2021. On top of that, Onah Williams, Billy Price, John Ross, William Jackson, and Darqueze Dennard all suffered injuries, cutting their rookie season short.

Coming back strong in 2021, they had a 10-7 record, securing a playoff game and first place in the AFC North.

Ja’Marr Chase had an exemplary rookie season with a total of 1455 rushing yards and an average of 18 yards per game. His star plays in that year had led the team to newfound confidence on the field, as well as upholding a tight defense from the safeties that allowed them to lead their way to victory.

In 2023, we had the Detroit Lions. In 2021, they had a 3-13 record placing last in the NFC North. The following year, they pushed forward with a 9-8 record, placing second in the NFC North.

The rise of the Lions started in 2020 when Sheila Ford took over the Lions and added Dan Campbell as head coach the year following.

Because of this, Campbell has changed the dynamic of the team by adding Jared Goff, who had 3245 rushing yards his starting year, and 4438 yards his following year.

There was also Amon-Ra St. Brown who dominated the field as well. His ability to adapt to any situation during a game has named him one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He had 119 catches in 2023, giving him his second season in a row to get over 100 catches.

In 2022, there was the Baltimore Ravens. In 2021, they had come off an 8-9 record, coming in last in the AFC North, as well as coming in 19 in the NFL season.

With a developing defense and Lamar Jackson adapting as a quarterback, the team had a hard time in 2021 against their extremely competitive division, with the Bengals and Steelers having an amazing year.

They also drafted new offensive tackle Morgan Ross and center Tyler Linderbaum to boost their offense. In the previous year, their lack of representation in receivers had led to a lot of their losses.

Roquan Smith also carried the team, having 86 total tackles and 51 solo tackles. He had just gotten traded over from the Chicago Bears, giving a new wind to the Ravens and allowing for a tight defense.

Joy Donald is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ndj5744@psu.edu.