NFL Playoffs 2012: a Look at the Teams That Didn't Make the Cut

This season, six teams that weren't in the playoffs in 2010 qualified for the 2011 bracket. That continues a healthy mixture of new and old teams that's been going on for a few years now.

Over the next few weeks, we'll hear everything about the 12 teams that made it to the next level, but we'll only hear bits and pieces about the 20 that didn't make the cut in 2011.

Here's a look at each of those teams that are now hitting the golf course and the meeting rooms and what it will take for them to be one of the "new guys on the block" in 2012.

Indianapolis Colts (2-14, 4th in AFC South)

What Went Wrong

Peyton Manning made a great case for the league MVP award by not taking a single snap in 2011. Manning, who had three separate procedures on his neck, spent the season watching and wincing as the Colts flirted with 0-16 only to rally and win two of their final three games.

Indianapolis couldn't overcome their lousy quarterback play and the lack of a shutdown defense. Both will be areas of focus as the team looks ahead to 2012.

The Good News

Manning will likely be healthy by the time the 2012 season begins. If he isn't then, he might never be again. The Colts have the first overall pick in the draft as well and look like a prime candidate to select Standford's Andrew Luck.

The Colts also are just a year removed from a playoff berth and probably are not as bad as their record indicated. While they'll still be pedestrian without Manning and even with Luck, they could improve their fortunes greatly by acquiring a more proven quarterback.

The Big Choices

The biggest choice of the offseason is what to do under center. The team can try to retain Manning and draft Luck, but that is unrealistic financially. They could cut ties with Manning and go with Luck, but that's risky. They could trade the pick for a huge haul and fix other issues.

They also have to decide whether or not to keep coach Jim Caldwell or get a fresh voice in the locker room. There are some interesting names out there (Jeff Fisher, Jim Tressel, Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden), but right now it looks like they may stick with the steady Caldwell.

St. Louis Rams (2-14, 4th in NFC West)

What Went Wrong

Take your pick. Sam Bradford couldn't stay healthy. Josh McDaniels' offensive scheme didn't work for the Rams. The defense lost a ton of players to injury. The Rams couldn't score points. The list is almost endless. This was a lost season to end all lost seasons for St. Louis, who went from almost winning the NFC West in 2010 to competing for the first overall draft pick in 2011.

The Good News

Bradford has an entire offseason to recover from a high ankle sprain. If he's healthy, the Rams probably don't win only two games. They have a great running back in Steven Jackson and some intriguing options at receiver. They also have a defense that should return to health in 2012, a problem that helped ruin their year.

The Big Choices

Who will coach? Jeff Fisher is the early name being whispered. They also need a new general manager. They'll be picking second in the draft, so they have a chance to upgrade at almost any position. My personal recommendation would be to get Bradford a top receiver to throw to so that he doesn't just have Brandon Lloyd and a bunch of question marks.

The GM question will be interesting, particularly if the team hires a coach like Fisher, who might want some personnel power, before making a call on that position.

Minnesota Vikings (3-13, 4th in NFC North)

What Went Wrong

The Vikings went with a worn-out and washed-up Donovan McNabb for far too long to open the season. McNabb and the offense were flat as the Vikings stumbled out of the gate in one of the league's better divisions. After Christian Ponder stepped in, the Vikings were more competitive but just didn't have the talent to compete with the other NFC heavyweights.

To add to those problems, the team also has issues as wide receiver and may have to open the 2012 season without running back Adrian Peterson, who tore his knee up toward the end of 2011.

The Good News

Ponder looked promising as a rookie before injuries slowed him in the final weeks. The team also may have unearthed another gem in quarterback Joe Webb, who mostly ran special packages as a hybrid player before taking over as quarterback when Ponder was injured.

The Vikings also have the league's sacks leader in Jared Allen and a defense that has a lot of potential and talent heading forward.

The Big Choices

Is there a quarterback controversy? Ponder and Webb both have their good and bad points and Minnesota might benefit from leaving that question unanswered for a little while. The team has to decide what to do in the draft and is another squad that could use a receiver.

They could also be looking for a running back to complement little Toby Gerhardt if they feel like Peterson will be out awhile. Once he's back, the team has to watch his workload.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12, 4th in NFC South)

What Went Wrong

After a 4-2 start that seemed to justify the team as a playoff contender, the Buccaneers never won again, losing 10 straight games and seeming to give up down the stretch. The team gave up a league-worst 494 points with their head coach, Raheem Morris, serving as defensive coordinator.

Quarterback Josh Freeman, who had a stellar 2010, took several steps backward in 2011 while piloting an offense that had a lot of trouble finding the goal line.

The Good News

Morris clearly had lost the locker room and was working with a team that had a dearth of experience and veteran leadership. That could pay dividends next season with a new coach, who will have a roster that, while still young, now has a lot more experience.

The new coach will also inherit Freeman, who is likely much better than his numbers would indicate. The team had some offensive injury and depth issues that contributed to his problems.

The Big Choices

Who will coach? Is Bill Cowher interested? What about a reunion with Jon Gruden? What about Jeff Fisher or someone from the college ranks? The team has to find someone who can work with young players and also someone who can fix the leaky defense.

Cowher fits that description, but he seems to be holding out for a specific job or two.

Cleveland Browns (4-12, 4th in AFC North)

What Went Wrong

The Browns played in the NFL's best division. They also played without a ton of talent on offense and a very young defense. Running back Peyton Hillis didn't replicate his 2010 success and experienced a bout with the infamous Madden Curse.

Pat Shurmur didn't do well as offensive coordinator and head coach in his first season and it looks like the team will hire an offensive coordinator for next year to allow Shurmur to focus on all aspects of his job more clearly.

The Good News

There isn't much. The good news is most likely that the Browns have another high draft choice to try to fix issues. They need offensive weapons. They have a talented young quarterback in Colt McCoy and a defense that was among the better groups in the NFL this year. They can build around those two things if they choose to do so.

The Big Choices

Will they stick with McCoy or change quarterbacks again? I don't think it would be a bad idea to bring in someone to compete with McCoy, but I think they need to make sure they give him a couple of good receivers and a more consistent running game.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11, 3rd in AFC South)

What Went Wrong

The decision to cut quarterback David Garrard backfired and the Jaguars were forced to rush first-rounder Blaine Gabbert into action after Luke McCown flamed out as the starter. The team still has no talent at receiver and they were unable to score points on offense. Their struggles eventually cost longtime coach Jack Del Rio his job.

The Good News

They have a very talented defense that kept most of their games close and contributed to a huge upset of AFC North champion Baltimore. The Jaguars were in almost every game this season.

They also have Gabbert, now with experience, to build around, and NFL rushing leader Maurice Jones-Drew. There's a lot of talent on this roster and most of it is young enough to be around for the turnaround.

The Big Choices

Who will coach is the first question that needs answered. The Jaguars are attractive because of their young talent and good defense, but their stadium is mostly empty and cannot engage their fanbase during good years. They have a new owner as well, something that also brings questions.

Who will catch passes from Gabbert is the big personnel question. The team needs a bona fide top receiver for their offense to take the step forward and become serviceable.

Washington Redskins (5-11, 4th in NFC East)

What Went Wrong

The Redskins couldn't hold onto the momentum from a surprising start and their issues at quarterback ruined their season. They couldn't decide between Rex Grossman and John Beck and that inconsistency robbed them of any momentum.

Mike Shanahan has won 11 games in two years with the team. For some perspective, that's one less in the same span than Steve Spurrier or Jim Zorn, who were both fired after going 12-20.

The Good News

Roy Helu and Evan Royster proved that the Redskins have likely found future stars at the running back position. Both players should be contributors moving forward. They also found some good receivers that will likely improve with better play from under center.

The defense was mostly a bright spot and rookie Ryan Kerrigan looks like a future star in the NFL. There's a lot to build around on that side of the ball.

The Big Choices

Do they keep Shanahan? Right now, he doesn't seem to be in any danger, but I can't believe that Daniel Snyder will wait long into 2012 if they struggle again. They have to find the future under center. For Snyder, who spends a lot in free agency, that might mean a guy like Matt Flynn.

The Redskins have never been wise in the draft, but Bruce Allen hasn't done bad as GM. The key now is to make sure they're drafting for need in the early rounds so that they can have a more stable and successful offense in 2012.

Buffalo Bills (6-10, 4th in AFC East)

What Went Wrong

The Bills were the darlings of the NFL in the first couple months, sprinting out to an early lead in the AFC East and stunning teams with their ability to come back from big deficits to win games. It looked like Buffalo was finally turning the corner thanks to the steady work of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Then Fitzpatrick got a new contract and the momentum evaporated. The Bills became turnover-prone and a defense that had made a few big plays early couldn't stop anyone down the stretch. The Bills fell apart like they have several times before and finished 6-10 after giving up 49 unanswered points to the Patriots on Sunday (after having a 21-0 lead).

The Good News

Part of the decline was due to injury. The team lost all-purpose back Fred Jackson midway through the year. Their defense is mostly a young group that needs a few augmentations to really break through. The offense needs a talent boost, but Fitzpatrick still looks like the guy to lead this team forward.

The Big Choices

The team already has changed defensive coordinators, but the bigger question is what they will do in the offseason to improve their roster. They need to decide whether or not to keep Stevie Johnson and if they need another receiver either way. Their offense needs speed at the wideout spots.

Chan Gailey isn't going anywhere and he's changing the culture in Buffalo little by little, but he needs to figure out how to make this team more consistent in 2012. That starts with holding on to those leads.

Miami Dolphins (6-10, 3rd in AFC East)

What Went Wrong

Faced with a do-or-die season, coach Tony Sparano's Dolphins fell apart out of the gate and started 0-7. They changed quarterbacks (Chad Henne to Matt Moore) and that, combined with a resurgence from Reggie Bush, led to a 6-3 finish. It wasn't enough for Sparano to survive, but it is worth noting that the Dolphins never gave up.

An 0-7 start anywhere is a death sentence, but nowhere is it worse than in the AFC, where the conference sent three teams to the playoffs with 12 or more wins and had only six of 16 teams under .500 for the season.

The Good News

The Dolphins may have found a bridge quarterback in Moore, who could feasibly return as the starter next year and maybe in 2013 while the team finds a long-term solution at the position. They also might have found a good running back in Bush, who finally lived up to his billing as a first-round running back.

The defense wasn't bad, but is in a period of flux as older veterans hand over the reigns. There were plenty of building blocks on both sides of the football to believe that the Dolphins are not that far away from being a contending team.

The Big Choices

Who will coach and who will play quarterback for the long term are the big questions. The team will have its pick of signal callers in the draft and would be wise to take one high and then develop them behind Moore.

The coaching position is interesting. Jeff Fisher is in the mix and the team will likely pursue Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden. Todd Bowles did a nice job down the stretch and should get some consideration too.

Carolina Panthers (6-10, 3rd in NFC South)

What Went Wrong

This is interesting. The Panthers couldn't have been worse in 2010. In 2011, they improved almost everywhere under first-year coach Ron Rivera. Cam Newton emerged as a true answer for the team at quarterback and the team surged into the top seven in two offensive categories (yards and points) where they'd been dead last in 2010.

In other words, not much went wrong; this was just a team taking a few steps in the right direction from the very bottom of the NFL.

The Good News

Take your pick. The defense improved under Rivera's leadership. The offense surged with Newton calling the shots from the beginning. Steve Smith returned to form. DeAngelo Williams was pretty good, too. There wasn't a single area in which this team didn't take a step forward.

The Big Choices

The question now is what happens next. The Panthers could use a little more offensive help in the form of a receiver or tight end to go with Steve Smith and Jeremy Shockey. They also need some help on defense.

This is a team that could very well surprise in 2012. It's just a matter of continuing the growth process.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-9, 4th in AFC West)

What Went Wrong

They stumbled out of the gate, recovered and then stumbled again before a revival at the very end. They lost their best tight end before the season started and then lost their star running back and defensive player early in the year. They also lost their quarterback to injury and found out that their backup option was not a professional passer.

They also seemed to tune out Todd Haley halfway through the season. His high-strung approach and in-your-face style rubbed a lot of players the wrong way. The team seemed to recover under Romeo Crennel.

The Good News

Injuries were a huge part of this problem. If healthy, this team might have finished 8-8 or 9-7 and won the division.

Still, they found another viable running back in Jackie Battle and got a lot of good work from Dexter McCluster. The defense had some bright spots (Justin Houston being one) and seems like a unit that will continue to grow.

They also may have found their next coach without even leaving the building.

The Big Choices

Romeo or no Romeo? Cassel or Orton? These are the questions the Chiefs face. Their best option is to keep Crennel, who seems to have the players' backing in the search for a new coach and who got a raw deal in Cleveland, where he was given no talent or support from ownership.

The quarterback question is a little murkier. Cassel was a Pro Bowler in 2010, but he looked to have regressed in 2011 before his injury. Orton performed well and is a steadier presence. They likely can't keep both players, so they'll have to decide how they want to sculpt the future.

Seattle Seahawks (7-9, 3rd in NFC West)

What Went Wrong

Predictably, Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst failed to provide an answer to the team's quarterback woes and the Seahawks struggled early in the year to put up points. As the season progressed, they adapted and seemed to be a contender toward the end when they upset the division-leading 49ers.

While 7-9 isn't where the Seahawks wanted to be, it is definitely better than most predicted and the team seems to be set up for the future provided they fill certain holes in their lineup.

The Good News

Marshawn Lynch emerged as a good running back and should be someone that the team can rely on in the future. They also got some good performances from the young receiving corps despite spotty quarterback play.

Pete Carroll got the most out of a roster that's in transition, a good sign as he heads into his third season with the Seahawks.

The Big Choices

What to do at quarterback is a big question. The Seahawks could go with Matt Flynn in free agency or they could try to draft someone in the middle of the round and develop them behind Jackson next season.

Free agency is the better route for them because they are a quarterback away from being a contender and may not want to or need to wait a year or two for a young player to be ready to go.

Chicago Bears (8-8, 3rd in NFC North)

What Went Wrong

On a much smaller scale, this was similar to what happened in Indianapolis and Kansas City. A good team was decimated by key injuries. The Bears were 7-3 and looked like a team that was headed to the playoffs until Jay Cutler and Matt Forte were lost to injury. Without their two offensive stars, the Bears fell apart to finish 8-8.

This is by no means a bad team and might have been the conference's sixth seed had they been healthy. Instead, they'll have to wait for next year.

The Good News

Cutler has really responded under Mike Martz despite some rumblings. His interception totals and sack numbers were down this year and he looked like a steady, prepared player. His injury is a shame because it ruined a good season for him and possibly robbed him of another trip to the Pro Bowl.

The Bears would likely have been in the playoffs if not for injury, so the good news here is that they have a great chance to be back in 2012.

The Big Choices

They face two huge question marks heading forward. First is who will replace offensive coordinator Mike Martz. That is the big decision. Consistency pays dividends and the Bears experienced an offensive revival during Martz's tenure.

They also have to decide if they will bring back Matt Forte. They may not be able to afford him and should have extended him before the season. That question will be up to whoever replaces fired general manager Jerry Angelo, who was let go Tuesday.

New York Jets (8-8, 2nd in AFC East)

What Went Wrong

The Jets couldn't back up the talk. Rex Ryan said that this would be the year the Jets would win the Super Bowl. Instead, they failed to qualify for the playoffs after falling apart down the stretch.

The Jets never really got on track this year and seemed to be fighting for victories all season. Mark Sanchez was both great and awful at times and the team had a spat of internal issues with players who quit, complained or simply failed.

Now, the Jets will have to figure out what went wrong and how it can be corrected. The questions around Mark Sanchez continue to grow as he tries to prove he can be an elite passer in the NFL.

The Good News

They have talent. The Jets have a lot of players who are steady. Their defense isn't bad at all and was responsible for most of their success this season.

There isn't much other good news. There are a ton of questions here.

The Big Choices

The Jets need to slap a gag order on Ryan, who's larger-than-life persona has worn thin on the rest of the league and possibly with his team. They need to figure out what to do with offensive captain Santonio Holmes, whose big talent competes with his poor attitude.

Finally, they need to revisit their offensive philosophy and decide if they're a run-first team or a passing squad. That lack of clarity hurt the team a lot in 2011 as they couldn't establish a true identity.

Arizona Cardinals (8-8, 2nd in NFC West)

What Went Wrong

The Cardinals started 1-6 before rallying to finish 7-2. They had questions all year around the quarterback position, where Kevin Kolb struggled in his first full year as a starter and where John Skelton provided some spark down the stretch.

The Cardinals defense was passable in 2011, but they aren't the same successful unit that went to the Super Bowl in 2008 and they are starting to show age issues at several spots. Their running game was inconsistent as the team still tries to answer questions about who should carry the mail.

The Good News

Kolb and Skelton both have talent. That was apparent as the season went on. Who has more and how much either guy has is still up for debate. Beanie Wells provided some spark and may be developing into a late-blooming runner.

The team had some injury issues that stopped them from being as competitive too, so getting those players back could put the team back into the playoff conversation next season.

The Big Choices

What to do at quarterback is going to be the big question. The Cardinals will likely stay in-house. They've committed a ton of money to Kolb and Skelton has developed nicely in the offense. I get the sense that they'll have open competition in camp, but that Skelton will get a deserved edge for his performance this season.

If Skelton starts, the team has to decide whether to unload the expensive Kolb or keep him as insurance in case Skelton isn't the right answer.

Oakland Raiders (8-8, 3rd in AFC West)

What Went Wrong

The Raiders couldn't finish. They had every edge imaginable in 2011 and ended up out of the playoffs because they couldn't close out games or win down the stretch when it was most important.

The Raiders also rewrote the record books for penalties this year, something that highlights the lack of discipline on this squad and a big part of why they set themselves up for failure in 2011.

A midseason blockbuster trade for Carson Palmer yielded mixed results and the Raiders enter 2012 unsure of what will happen next.

The Good News

The Raiders have talent. That might be the most frustrating part of their 8-8 finishes in 2010 and 2011. They've had decent quarterback play both years (from Jason Campbell in 2010 and part of 2011 and then Palmer). They have two great running backs. They've got some intriguing talent at receiver. The defense is good too.

The Big Choices

The Raiders don't have much of a draft to improve the team, so they'll have to pick wisely the next couple of years and try to catch a couple breaks. They need to make some noise in free agency and could benefit from signing a proven wide receiver.

The big question will be how this team overcomes their discipline problems. If Hue Jackson can get them to play smart football, they could turn their talent into a playoff berth or Super Bowl run.

San Diego Chargers (8-8, 2nd in AFC West)

What Went Wrong

The Chargers never got themselves going in 2011. They started poorly, recovered a little, faded again and then charged back too late to make it count. Philip Rivers had his worst season as a starter and turned the ball over too many times.

The Chargers also went through some serious injuries and struggled to close out games.

The Good News

The Chargers have an elite quarterback in Philip Rivers, a good running game, good receivers and a decent defense. They've got some motivation questions. I wonder whether or not they quit on Norv Turner this year. Tuning out a head coach can kill an otherwise-talented roster.

The Chargers don't seem like a team that will miss the playoffs again if they're motivated and they play in a division that doesn't seem to be very competitive if one team can run away early.

The Big Choices

The Chargers answered one big question today by retaining Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith for another season. This will set up 2012 as do or die for both men.

Other than that, the Chargers will have to figure out exactly where to improve their roster. They could stand a few upgrades on the offensive line and an infusion of depth and youth for next season. The good news is that they didn't mortgage their draft like the Raiders did.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-8, 2nd in NFC East)

What Went Wrong

The Eagles assembled a dream team of players that were supposed to finally deliver a Super Bowl to Philadelphia. Instead, they delivered a lot of heartache and cursing.

The Eagles never really got going. They dealt with everything from an ineffective defense under the coaching of an offensive line coach to injuries to their star quarterback, who missed an important stretch of the year. They also had to put up with diva DeSean Jackson, who may not return after letting the team down countless times.

The Good News

They are a talented team. Forget the results. This roster is still loaded. Maybe with the right voice on defense and a healthy year from their quarterback, the Eagles will be able to make the leap into the playoffs. The other good news is that another win or two would have won the division.

The Eagles also retained Andy Reid, which helps with consistency and keeps the team's core intact once again.

The Big Choices

Steve Spagnuolo should get major consideration to take over the defense. I can't see Juan Castillo returning as coordinator. To put it mildly, he stunk.

They also have to figure out what to do with Jackson. He's a talented receiver, but he has Randy Moss/Terrell Owens tendencies that make him a major liability. They may be better off cutting ties and drafting a good receiver for next season.

They also need to address some concerns regarding the defensive front. They were excellent there almost all year, but the depth isn't great and they are likely an injury or two away from major problems.

Dallas Cowboys (8-8, 3rd in NFC East)

What Went Wrong

The Cowboys had consistency issues all year. They could beat a team and then get blown out in consecutive weeks. They wasted a great season by Tony Romo by struggling considerably on defense. New coordinator Rob Ryan improved things, but the Cowboys still weren't able to force mistakes consistently and they couldn't shut down teams when it counted (see Week 17 against the Giants).

Dallas also struggled with injuries. Romo had problems with his ribs. They lost DeMarco Murray, their running back, down the stretch. They had other assorted dings. All contributed to an 8-8 ho-hum finish.

The Good News

Like most 8-8 teams, they were close. They have talent. They may have found a running back in Murray that will end years of revolving doors and frustration at the position. Dez Bryant improved some. Ryan looks like the guy to fix their defense. This just wasn't the year.

The Big Choices

Where do they go in the draft? Does Jerry Jones bring in some personnel help? They have to decide exactly what they can do to improve. They also need to make the leap soon or risk having another coaching change as Jones tries to fix their issues.

Tennessee Titans (9-7, 2nd in AFC South)

What Went Wrong

The breaks didn't go their way at the end. The Titans, by all accounts, overachieved in 2011. They had talent questions, lost their top receiver early on and faced a tough schedule. With all of that, it came down to tiebreakers for them to miss the playoffs.

So, in short, nothing really went wrong. The problem was that not quite enough went right for them to get in. They were the only team with a winning mark not to secure a playoff spot.The only thing that really went wrong was that Chris Johnson didn't get going until it was late in the year.

The Good News

They overachieved, which means a lot of players stepped up and delivered. Jake Locker, their rookie quarterback, got some playing time and proved he could compete at this level. He should start next season on the field regardless of how the team feels about Matt Hasselbeck.

Mike Munchak will be back too unless Penn State does something to woo him away from a job he said he wants to keep. That doesn't seem likely now, but anything is possible.

The Big Choices

The team needs to get a receiver in the draft so that Locker has a target and Kenny Britt has a teammate. Outside of that, it just seems like a matter of improving and growing up some more. This is a team that might be in the playoffs in 2012.