5 NFL teams that won't be making the playoffs in 2021

Now that Week 13 has all but concluded, there are a handful of teams that will likely not be able to rebound from their losing season and make it to the playoffs. Crazier things have happened though on, as the saying goes, "any given Sunday." Look at the Miami Dolphins. They went from 1-7 to 6-7 and are now in talks for the playoffs.

However, certain teams will not be able to catch their divisional rivals with only four or five games left in the season. Here are five teams that won't be making the playoffs in 2021.

Which NFL teams are most likely to miss the playoffs?

Pittsburgh Steelers v Los Angeles Chargers

#5 - Houston Texans - (2-10)

The Houston Texans could be placed at #1 on this list, as they are the first team in the entire NFL to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. They are most likely to miss the playoffs because, well, they are. However, the more exciting option is to just place them at the bottom and indicate they aren't making it past week 17.

There is no telling what may happen to David Culley, but the Texans need to do some heavy work to turn their team around in the 2022 season, especially with Deshaun Watson presumably being traded in the off-season.

#4 - Pittsburgh Steelers - (6-5)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a valiant effort this season, and it is now being heavily rumored that Ben Roethlisberger is going to retire, but this team has a tough road ahead to get to the playoffs.

The Steelers' last four games haven't helped their case in determining if they can make it back to the playoffs. They tied the Lions, lost to the Chargers and Bengals, and yesterday, they barely beat the Ravens. Their last five games are the Vikings, Chiefs, Titans, Browns and Ravens. It will be hard to get into the playoffs facing such a tough final stretch.

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Also Check Out: Complete NFL Week 14 TV Schedule

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Top 3 NFL teams that won't make it to the playoffs

Who is most likely to miss the playoffs?

#3 - Las Vegas Raiders - (6-6)

Although the Las Vegas Raiders have a seemingly good team, they always find ways to knock themselves out of playoff contention. Even though Derek Carr is easily one of the best quarterbacks in the league, this Raiders team is not doing him any favors.

They dropped an important game to the Washington Football Team yesterday, which added to their loss count in the five games. They are 1-4 in that stretch and don't look to be the team that can overcome their playing woes to make it into the playoffs, especially with their final five games being the Chiefs, Browns, Broncos, Colts, and Chargers. They might win three of those games, and heading into the AFC wild-card with a 9-8 record won't be good enough.

#2 - Indianapolis Colts - (7-6)

What a story the Indianapolis Colts have had. They started their season 1-5 and were looking as terrible as they possibly could have. However, they have begun to turn things around for themselves and have gone 4-1 in their last five games. Carson Wentz and Jonathan Taylor have truly turned this team around.

That being said, the Colts have too tough of a final schedule. The Patriots, Cardinals, Raiders, and Jaguars are left on their schedule. The Colts may be able to beat the Raiders and likely the Jaguars. The Patriots and Cardinals will be a bit too much for this team, and as stated above, a 9-8 record won't be good enough to make the AFC wild-card playoffs, especially with the Bengals, Chargers, and Bills in wild-card spots with 7-5 and 7-4 records.

#1 - Washington Football Team - (6-6)

The Washington Football Team is 6-6 and is currently sitting at sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture. However, their turnaround season will be silenced very soon. They have the unfortunate schedule of having to face both the Eagles and Cowboys twice in their final five games.

Cowboys, Eagles, Cowboys, Eagles, Giants. The WFT has drawn some of the worst luck this season with this final stretch of opponents. Taylor Heinicke has led a team that no one saw coming, but they will likely miss out on their shot at the playoffs this season. Honestly, it would be great to see the WFT make it into the playoffs, but they take on nothing but divisional rivals in their final five games. The WFT won't make it past a surging Eagles team that is vying for their shot at the playoffs as well.