5 2021 NFL playoff teams who will miss out in 2022

#3 - San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers will likely enter the 2022 season with Trey Lance as their starting quarterback, after the organization made it clear it was ready to move on from long-time starter Jimmy Garoppolo following the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Despite Garoppolo leading the Niners to the NFC Championship for the second time in three seasons in 2021, the franchise cited his below par play - 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in 2021 - as a reason to give sophomore Lance a shot in 2022. The fact of the matter is we don’t know how good or bad Trey Lance will be as a starter, as we only saw glimpses of him in 2021. Can he lead the team to the playoffs in his first year as a starter ahead of a proven successful quarterback in Jimmy G?

#2 - Las Vegas Raiders

AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Las Vegas Raiders v Cincinnati Bengals

Despite the fact that the Las Vegas Raiders acquired superstar wide receiver Davante Adams via trade during the 2022 offseason, increased competition in their division may see them miss the 2022 playoffs altogether.

Russell Wilson solved the Denver Broncos’ quarterback issues and also the Raiders have Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs to deal with twice a season. The fact it could be argued that the Raiders have the fourth-best quarterback in their own division is a pivotal reason as to why they may miss the 2022 postseason.

#1 - Dallas Cowboys

NFC Wild Card Playoffs - San Francisco 49ers v Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys had a terrible 2022 offseason, which was so bad it wouldn’t be a surprise if they missed out on the playoffs in 2022, after going 12-5 in 2021. The Cowboys lost wide receiver Amari Cooper for just a fifth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns, instead deciding to pay Michael Gallup a five-year, $62.5 million extension. Gallup has had injury issues, playing only nine games in 2021 before tearing his ACL in week 17. They also lost key starters in Randy Gregory and La’El Collins in free agency, and one wonders if Dallas’ draft selections can fill the voids left by these important players.

Division rival Philadelphia Eagles will be the Cowboys' main competition in 2022, and they had a fantastic draft, bringing in Jordan Davis out of Georgia in the first-round. They also acquired star wideout A.J. Brown via trade, a good friend of starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.

These acquisitions, along with Dallas’ shortcomings, could easily see the Cowboys miss out on the 2022 playoffs.