Risers: Falcons, Minnesota, Rams, Dolphins, Bills, Saints, Texans, Chiefs
Fallers: Panthers, Cowboys, Bengals, Broncos, 49ers
Teams on the move, but not sure which direction: Lions, Eagles, Bucs, Titans, Giants, Chargers, Steelers, Cardinals, Rams
----
2015 makes: Falcons, Saints, Miami, Eagles, Rams
2015 misses: Panthers, Lions, Bengals, Cowboys, Cardinals
I did five because the OP said so, but I think the deck is stacked against having five teams again this year. The top of the AFC feels set in stone to me. The Pats will falter early and the Broncos will falter late, but both should end with 10 wins in bad divisions. Indy is in a terrible division. And the AFC North will be returning THREE playoff teams. I could see a rising team like the Chiefs or Dolphins knocking out the Bengals by a hair, but a team like the Chargers or Texans probably won't have enough to knock off Baltimore or Pittsburgh.
The NFC feels a bit more open outside of Seattle and Green Bay. I feel dirty putting the Rams in the 'make' category, but I think 9 wins probably punches your ticket in the NFC this year. The Rams have more talent than the Cardinals right now and probably equal talent at QB. The Cardinals chances of getting back are resting heavily on the investment they've put in the running game. And even if the Cardinals do run the ball, I suspect it could all be for naught if that defense has them chasing points. That defense completely imploded late in 2014. And this all assumes Palmer stays healthy, which is hardly a given.
The Cowboys O-line + Dez + Romo makes their offense dangerous, but I think they will sorely miss Murray's 2014 performance. Their defense overachieved massively in 2014. If their D regresses, then they are likely doomed to mediocrity just like they were pre-2014.
We might see 3 new playoff teams on the NFC half, but I doubt we'll see five total.