Every year in the NFL, there are teams that make the playoffs after struggling the year before.
Predicting which teams will break out is difficult, though, since nearly all of the 32 teams have reason for optimism before the games start to count.
For some teams, however, that optimism is warranted. This season, the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns look primed to improve upon their sub-.500 records of last season.
Here's a look at those two teams and why they'll be much improved this season.
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Detroit Lions
After going 10-6 and making the playoffs in 2011, the Lions reverted back to their losing ways and went 4-12 in 2012.
This year, though, there is reason for positivity, thanks to improvements at running back, along the defensive line and in the secondary.
The Lions' biggest move this offseason was to bring in free-agent running back Reggie Bush.
After the signing, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz told Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com?that Bush could "potentially catch 60-to-70-to-80 balls."
Bush should be able to break off many big runs this year, too, as defenses will be forced to key on a potent passing game that includes Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.
Bush's addition will certainly help the offense improve, but if the Lions are to return to the playoffs, they'll need better contributions from the defense as well.
In a positive sign for the team, improvements in the secondary are already noticeable in the early part of training camp. Twentyman?noted?that there have been more incomplete passes in early practices than any time in recent memory, and not because the offense is struggling.
The additions of safety Glover Quin and cornerback Darius Slay, especially, will ensure that the team's secondary is better this year than last.
The secondary should also benefit from a much-improved defensive line.
The team added defensive linemen Ezekiel Ansah, Devin Taylor, Israel Idonije and Jason Jones this offseason in an effort to improve the team's pass rush.
Ansah, the fifth overall pick in the draft, is the most intriguing of the bunch and is an immediate threat for 10 sacks.
Though they play in the tough NFC North, the Lions have made improvements across the board and should at least compete for wild-card spot this season.
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Cleveland Browns
The Browns have lost at least 11 games in each of the last five seasons, but after a solid offseason, the team looks primed to buck that trend this year.
Cleveland hired offensive-minded Rob?Chudzinski to be the team?s new head coach, in the hope that he can jumpstart an offense that ranked just 24th in points scored per game last year.
Chudzinski also hired Ray Horton to be his defensive coordinator.
Horton brings his attacking 3-4 defense to Cleveland, and the Browns have been busy finding players to fit his scheme all offseason.
They signed outside linebacker Paul Kruger and drafted another in Barekevious Mingo with the seventh pick in the draft.
The team also signed Desmond Bryant to a five-year deal, in a move that was lauded by ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley.
Third-round draft pick and cornerback Leon McFadden should help further solidify the defense as a solid cover guy opposite shutdown corner Joe Haden.
Quarterback Brandon Weeden is middling at best, but the Browns have a supremely talented running back in Trent Richardson to go along with one of the best offensive lines in the league.
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Richardson could eclipse 300 carries.
If Richardson reaches that lofty number, Weeden would have to be nothing more than just okay to ensure the Browns offense runs smoothly.
The lack of an elite quarterback will hold the Browns back from becoming a great team, but with Richardson and a defense that could be one of the best in the league, I see no reason why they can't win at least eight or nine games.
The loss of wide receiver Josh Gordon for the first two games will hurt the team, but shouldn?t be a death sentence for a team that will rely on its strong running game and defense.
There are certainly improvements still to be made, but I?ll go on the record and say that the Browns will compete for a playoff spot this season.
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