As the holiday season reaches a crescendo, so too are the playoff races across the NFL with franchises facing more pressure each week and weaknesses being exposed in games with major ramifications.
Before the NFL unwraps an entire slate of games, Santa Claus is about to make his big flight, and whether it is a team on the cusp of a rebuild or making a playoff push, there is something that all 32 teams are wishing that Jolly Ole Saint Nick leaves under their tree Christmas morning.
Here's a look at what's atop each team's wish list for Santa this Christmas:
Dallas Cowboys: A Run-Stuffing Defensive Tackle
A Week 15 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills exposed a potentially fatal flaw in the Cowboys; if Dallas isn't able to jump out to a lead and allow their dominant edge rushers to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback, this is a defense woefully vulnerable against the run. James Cook gashed the Cowboys for a career-high 179 yards and a touchdown. With potential games in the postseason against the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Kyren Williams, the Cowboys better figure out how to scheme up a run-defense, in a hurry.
New York Giants: A New Franchise Quarterback
This could be an uncomfortable offseason in the swamps of Jersey. After Daniel Jones tore his ACL, he's unlikely to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign, and, if the season ended today the Giants would own the No. 6 overall pick ... with a pair of games against the Eagles remaining that could push New York up the board. While wins are not a quarterback stat, Tommy DeVito and Tyrod Taylor have accounted for four of the Giants' five wins. More meaningfully, the offense has looked more functional with DeVito or Taylor behind center than it did with Jones. Despite paying Jones $40 million last offseason, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll must mine a top potential franchise quarterback, should they have the opportunity to.
Philadelphia Eagles: A Healthy Darius Slay for The Playoffs
Few teams are leaking more oil as the finish line of the regular season comes into focus than the Philadelphia Eagles. However, after Drew Lock led a 92-yard game-winning drive to cap a Week 15 victory, never has Darius Slay's value to the Eagles' secondary been more apparent. Slay underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, and his timeline to return remains to be seen. Given Philadelphia's struggles defensively of late, particularly in the secondary, the Eagles better hope Slay is able to get back on the field for the postseason. Otherwise, the Eagles' NFC title defense may be short-lived.
Washington Commanders: A Revamped Pass-Rush
The Commanders essentially surrendered on this season when general manager Martin Mayhew traded away pass-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline. While ideally the Commanders would invest an early-round draft pick in a pass-rusher and sign one of the top free agents at the position, the incoming draft class and crop of free agents is largely underwhelming at the position. Whoever Washington hires as its next defensive coordinator is going to need to find a way to scheme up a disruptive pass-rush if the Commanders are going to be able to compete defensively.
Buffalo Bills: A Secondary Receiving Option
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Stefon Diggs is a bona fide superstar, but Josh Allen and the Bills' offense could benefit from a consistent secondary option in the passing game. Gabe Davis is the only player not named Diggs to have produced over 500 receiving yards so far this season. The Bills' chances of making a lengthy playoff run, or making the postseason at all, would be greatly improved by having another field-stretcher to capitalize on Allen's arm-strength and deep-ball accuracy. Especially in what might become a Week 18 shootout in South Beach against the explosive Dolphins that might determine the Bills' fate.
Miami Dolphins: A Pass-Catching Tight End
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Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is surrounded by one of the most prolific collections of offensive skill positions in the league. Entering Week 16, the Dolphins are averaging a league-high 31.5 points and 414.5 yards per game. However, there is one position that could use an upgrade in Tagovailoa's supporting cast; tight end. Durham Smythe leads the way with 226 receiving yards, but, if Tagovailoa had a more reliable underneath option, perhaps Miami's explosive offense wouldn't have such a strong penthouse or outhouse feel to it, which could prove to be an undoing against more physical and talented defenses in the postseason.
New England Patriots: A New Head Coach with New Philosophies
The Patriot Way is going out with a whimper, and the end of the Bill Belichick era in New England feels imminent. While Jerod Mayo is likely a top candidate for the job, Robert Kraft must think bigger. Bolder. As illustrated by Belichick's previous assistants flaming out when given the opportunity to run their own program, combined with the Patriots' struggles this season, New England needs a new direction, new philosophies, and a new vision for how to build a roster. Kraft would be doing his franchise a disservice if he merely promotes a Belichick disciple as his successor in 2024, especially given how significantly far behind the Patriots' roster has fallen even from division rivals.
New York Jets: A revamped Offensive Line
Many of the Jets' issues stem from Zach Wilson's ineptitude at quarterback, in the aftermath of Aaron Rodgers rupturing his Achilles tendon on the fourth offensive snap of the season. However, if the Jets are going to make any headway in climbing the AFC hierarchy — and fielding an offense that is a worthy complement to a swarming and stifling defense, it's going to start with protecting Rodgers in 2024. The top organizational philosophy from general manager Joe Douglas on down this offseason must be rebuilding the Jets' offensive line from the ground up this offseason.
Atlanta Falcons: A Franchise Quarterback
The Falcons are once again benching Desmond Ridder, and it has become clear that quarterback is a weak link in Atlanta, despite electrifying playmakers like Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson forming an exciting young core to build around. Somehow, whether it is trading up in next April's NFL Draft, or adding the top veteran passer available, Atlanta must enter the 2024 season with stability and upside at the quarterback position.
Carolina Panthers: A Program Building Head Coach
It might prove difficult for the Panthers to land their top head coaching choice, given a lack of draft capital in coming years, an under-talented roster, and an owner who is hiring his third head coach since 2018. However, if the Panthers have any designs on ever competing with No. 1 overall pick quarterback Bryce Young, Carolina needs a head coach capable of building a program from the ground up and around his quarterback's best traits.
New Orleans Saints: Improved Quarterback Play
For much of this season, it has seemed that Derek Carr is miscast for the skill players and offensive philosophy in New Orleans. Whether it is an improved Carr, in a second season in the system in 2024, or a new option for next season and beyond, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave would benefit significantly from more consistent play out of their quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A Consistent Running Game
Baker Mayfield has had a career renaissance in coordinator Dave Canales' system. In his first season with the Buccaneers, Mayfield is on pace to set new career highs for passing yards and touchdowns, while leading Tampa Bay into the throes of the NFC South race. Meanwhile, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been significantly heating up in recent weeks, as their chemistry with Mayfield continues to blossom. The missing link for the Buccaneers is a steady and consistent ground attack that might wind up being Tampa's undoing in the postseason, if they can't control the tempo against more explosive offenses.
Houston Texans: Franchise Running Back
For a stretch, No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud played at a level where it seemed like he belonged in the MVP conversation this season. Stroud has made playmakers out of receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins as focal points of the Texans' offense. But, with a swarming front-seven defensively, adequate offensive line, and a dynamic quarterback, the missing ingredient for the Texans to take the next step next season could be a bell-cow running back.
Indianapolis Colts: Young, Dynamic Wide Receivers
Gardner Minshew hasn't just kept the Colts' season afloat, he's played Indianapolis into the thick of the AFC South and Wild Card races, in Shane Steichen's first season as head coach. The Colts are rookie Anthony Richardson's team, again, beginning in 2024 but even with explosive running backs Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss, Indianapolis lack playmakers on the perimeter. In order to take pressure off Richardson, create opportunities downfield, and open up some space in the box for Taylor, the Colts must prioritize adding a field-stretching wide receiver opposite Michael Pittman who can grow and develop alongside their young quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Stick 'Em For Trevor Lawrence
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There's a chance that the Jaguars heat up over the final three weeks, make it into the playoffs and make a deep postseason run. However, Lawrence has already fumbled four times this season and his ball-security has become a real issue in Duuval. Lawrence is building some strong chemistry with emerging rookie Parker Washington the past several weeks, and Travis Etienne is a solid weapon both on the ground and in the passing game. However, Lawrence's fumbling problem could prove costly for the Jaguars.
Tennessee Titans: Cornerback Help
Tennessee seems to lack a long-term plan at cornerback, which could be problematic given the abundance of dominant wide receivers in the AFC. The Titans would be wise to target a top cornerback early in the draft and look to add a veteran this offseason, as well.
Chicago Bears: Explosive Wide Receivers
Justin Fields has been making a compelling argument to be the Bears' quarterback beyond 2023, even with Chicago on the fast track to owning the No. 1 overall pick next April, via the Carolina Panthers. If that is the case, it is paramount to the Bears' future — and Fields' development, to add another game-changing wide receiver alongside D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney.
Detroit Lions: A Killer Instinct on The Road
Detroit has a lot of the pieces to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders; steady quarterback play, a dominant and explosive running game, explosive receivers on the perimeter and a stout front-seven, among other traits. However, the Lions seem to forget their identity when they venture out of the Detroit city limits. Detroit got thumped by the Ravens in a litmus test game earlier this season, struggled mightily in a loss to the Bears at Soldier Field, and just seem like a different team away from home. The Lions could really use a killer instinct on the road, from Santa Claus.
Green Bay Packers: A New Defensive Coordinator
The Packers very well might have squandered their chances of making the playoffs in consecutive disappointing losses to the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers that has put defensive coordinator Joe Barry under the microscope. Matt LaFleur told reporters "the plan" is for Barry to finish out the season, and if that winds up being the case, LaFleur's future in TitleTown might depend on hiring a coordinator who can restore the teeth to the Packers' defense beginning in 2024.
Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson to Agree to an Extension
Few decisions will be more impactful to the Vikings' trajectory in coming years than whether Minnesota is able to keep All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson long-term. Surpassing 5,500 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns through his first four seasons, Jefferson has been the focal point of the Vikings' offense. Minnesota would love to keep the 24-year-old in purple for years to come.
Baltimore Ravens: No More Injuries
Lamar Jackson is playing some of the best football of his career, and the Ravens' defense is imposing its will on opposing offenses on a near-weekly basis. While it seems like the Ravens might be on a collision course to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, injuries have taken a toll. Already without All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews and now dominant safety Kyle Hamilton's status up in the air after injuring his knee in Jacksonville, the Ravens would love to avoid any more significant injuries the rest of the way.
Cincinnati Bengals: A Revamped Secondary
Cincinnati's front-seven has done a nice job against the run and rushing the passer this season, but help on the back end could really elevate this group. The Bengals are trying to piecemeal together a postseason run with Joe Burrow sidelined, and improved play in the secondary would go a long way towards making that a reality.
Cleveland Browns: Long-Term Stability at Quarterback
There's something to be said for 38-year-old Cinderella story Joe Flacco leading the Browns to two consecutive victories to keep Cleveland's postseason hopes alive. Especially when Deshaun Watson was wildly inconsistent prior to suffering a fractured throwing shoulder that ended his season. After decades of futility at quarterback, all the Browns can hope for in 2024 is that Watson rediscovers what made him one of the premier players at the position during his time in Houston. Otherwise, that fully-guaranteed contract is going to look like more of an albatross than ever and the Browns no different than they have looked for decades.
Pittsburgh Steelers: A Fresh Offensive Philosophy
As it turns out, firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada midseason was a woefully insufficient response to the Steelers' offensive woes of the past several seasons. Pittsburgh must decide whether Kenny Pickett has enough upside to build around and try to win with. However, regardless of who is the Steelers' quarterback in 2024, head coach Mike Tomlin would be wise to hire an offensive coordinator with a fresh set of eyes, fresh ideas, and a dramatically different scheme from what Pittsburgh has been running. Tomlin's job just might depend on getting the offense right in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals: A Star Wide Receiver Opposite Marquise Brown
After entering the season as a franchise appearing earmarked to spend 2023 with one eye on Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, the plucky Cardinals are playing competitive football for first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals are clearly a different team with quarterback Kyler Murray on the field than they are without him, but, Murray needs weapons. If Arizona views Murray as the long-term solution, the organization would be wise to prioritize adding a dynamic playmaking receiver opposite Marquise Brown as a building block of the offense for 2024 and beyond.
Los Angeles Rams: The Ability to Speed Up Time
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General manager Les Snead has somehow built an exciting young roster around quarterback Matthew Stafford, despite limited draft capital the past several years. Wide receiver Puka Nacua is legitimately in the Offensive Rookie of The Year conversation, Kyren Williams is one of the most electrifying young backs in the league, and the Rams' defense is punching above its weight. As well as Stafford is playing, passing for 3,320 yards with 21 touchdowns to nine interceptions, it's anyone's guess who the young weapons around him will handle the bright lights and big moments of playoff football.
San Francisco 49ers: Homefield Advantage
The 49ers have shown that they are capable of rolling into any NFL outpost and wrecking their opponent's day. However, as recent blowout road losses by the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, along with the Detroit Lions' inability to find any sort of consistency away from Ford Field, it's becoming wholly obvious that if the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Santa Clara, the 49ers might be able to waltz into Las Vegas rather than dealing with their biggest threats in their building.
Seattle Seahawks: Stability at Quarterback
Whether it is Geno Smith, or Drew Lock, the Seahawks would benefit from knowing who is going to be the quarterback in 2024 and beyond, especially given the presence of playmakers like D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Kenneth Walker. Given the bevvy of weapons Seattle has on the offensive side of the ball, finding a quarterback to maximize them should be a top priority.
Denver Broncos: A Quarterback Capable of Thriving in Sean Payton's Scheme
The Broncos have tried to make it work with Russell Wilson, who has been competent for much of the season. Wilson has passed for 2,832 yards with 24 touchdowns to eight interceptions. However, there have been too many big moments in big games where the Broncos' offense comes up small. Denver, nor head coach Sean Payton, have acted as if they are married to Wilson, and this team could benefit from a long-term solution at quarterback who is more suited to execute Payton's scheme at a high level.
Kansas City Chiefs: A New WR Corps
Even with Patrick Mahomes behind center, the Chiefs' wide receiving corps might prove to be Kansas City's undoing in its latest title defense. Kaddarius Toney is a walking catastrophe waiting to happen, whose tantalizing athleticism never seems to translate in the game's biggest moments. Meanwhile, Marquez Valdez-Scantling is wildly inconsistent. For whatever reason, general manager Brett Veach stood pat at receiver at the trade deadline, but can't risk the possibility of a second consecutive year of Mahomes' prime having the ceiling lowered on it by a shoddy receiving corps.
Las Vegas Raiders: A Franchise Quarterback of The Future
Neither Jimmy Garoppolo nor Aidan O'Connell are the long-term answer for the Raiders, at the most important position in sports. Somehow, Las Vegas needs to take the field next season with a prolific passer, or else risk wasting what remains of wide receiver Davante Adams' prime and running back Brandon Jacobs' explosiveness.
Los Angeles Chargers: An Offensive-Minded Head Coach
Nothing matters more for the Los Angeles Chargers than finally identifying a head coach capable of maximizing the impact of quarterback Justin Herbert's abundant talent and potential. In the search for Brandon Staley's successor, the Chargers must prioritize a head coach capable of crafting a scheme around Herbert's best traits, with a track record as an innovative play-caller who will utilize the Chargers' explosive weapons to consistently attack weaknesses in the opposing defense.
