2015 NFL Season: Worst-To-First Candidates by Erik Lambert 2h ago 
Nov 16, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith looks on from the sidelines against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. The Buccaneers won 27-7. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsEvery year it seems like the NFL plays witness to great single-season turnarounds. So which teams have the best chance to do it in 2015?5Tampa Bay BuccaneersIt wouldn’t be the first time that a team has gone from holding the #1 pick in the draft to the playoffs in the same calendar year. Andy Reid did it in Kansas City two years ago. Lovie Smith is no stranger to quick turnarounds either. As head coach of the Bears he went 4-12 in 2004 and had them 11-5 the next season. The key for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is get their draft picks right, especially that quarterback position. Given the weakness of their division, the possibility is much more likely if they succeed.4New York JetsGetting Darrelle Revis and Brandon Marshall were a couple of high-stakes but heady maneuvers by the New York Jets brass. This team is a lot better than the one that exited 2014. The defense should be dynamite and if Geno Smith doesn’t foul it up, they have enough talent on offense to control the ball and score some points. Overtaking their hated rival Patriots won’t be easy, but it looks way more possible than it did a few months ago.
3Oakland RaidersOf all the young teams out there, none has a better vibe going than the Oakland Raiders. They have two stars in the making on offense with Derek Carr and defense in Khalil Mack. The task at had for GM Reggie McKenzie and the new coaching staff under Jack Del Rio is to build around them. Another strong draft could make them viable dark horses to throw a wrench into the engine that is the AFC West.2Chicago BearsIt’s easy to forget this team was one blown coverage away from a division title in 2013. That is what going 5-11 does. Still, the Chicago Bears are in a better place now. They have a totally remade defense under the guidance of an experience-laden coaching staff headlined by John Fox and Vic Fangio. This team should play a lot harder than the one from last season and there’s enough talent for them to do a lot better than the naysayers keep insisting. That is especially true after key rivals Green Bay and Detroit suffered tough losses in free agency.
1St. Louis RamsAll the horses appear in place for the St. Louis Rams. They have defense. They have a running game. They have a coaching staff. Now it seems they have credibility at quarterback following the trade to acquire Nick Foles. Is he a superstar? Not really but the guy is a former Pro Bowler with enough talent to run an NFL offense at a high enough level to reach the playoffs. That is what this team needed and it’s what they got. The NFC West better prepare itself.link
