2012 NFL Free Agency: 8 Teams One Marquee Free Agent Away from a Playoff Run

There are only so many teams that can make the NFL playoffs each year. Time after time, the best teams always seem to find their way into the postseason, with a few exceptions.

The past two years, the last team to make the playoffs in the NFC wound up winning the Lombardi Trophy, which speaks to the belief that if you get hot at the right time, anything can happen—and it usually does.

The 2012 season may be more of the same thing, where the team that is hot at the right time will find ways to move forward. At the same time, the teams with the best records may find complacency and sit back a bit.

In most cases, there are teams who need one player to set them apart from the others and make a strong playoff run, proving they can be just as good as a 15-1 Packers team or a 9-7 Super Bowl-winning Giants team.

These eight teams, one from each division, are that close and need that one key player to make the impossible run seem possible.

Miami Dolphins

They got off to an awful start last season, then found some magic, then fizzled out at the end of the year.

This year, with a new coach (Joe Philbin), possibly a new quarterback (Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning) and two good weapons in Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall, this team could be a playoff contender.

The fact that New England still does not have a running game or a defensive identity and that the Jets look like an implosion waiting to happen doesn't hurt as well.

Getting a strong signal-caller will be the key to this team's success.

San Diego Chargers

I picked them over the Raiders for one simple reason: At some point, this team will finally get it right.

They had better do it this season since Norv Turner is still on the hot seat and a losing season may take A.J. Smith with him out the door.

San Diego could lose Vincent Jackson to free agency and needs to shore up its offensive line. Either a receiver or a strong lineman could be the key to moving forward toward the playoffs.

Someone like Reggie Wayne would help them.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals got to the playoffs with a great defense and a young offense last season.

Let's see what they can do for an encore.

Andy Dalton and crew need another receiver to stretch the field and a running back to move the chains.

Someone like Ryan Grant from Green Bay or Chris Polk in the draft could make this team dynamic in so many ways.

Jacksonville Jaguars

I believe a few things will happen this coming season in Jacksonville: Blaine Gabbert will be better, the tight ends will catch the ball and the defense will still be strong.

Finding an elite receiver gives this team a chance to be great. And with everyone jockeying for position in the AFC South, anything is possible—even a Jaguars march to the playoffs.

The team will have $38 million to spend in free agency to land the right players.

Dallas Cowboys

This was a team that controlled its own destiny for most of the season and could not get to the playoffs.

This year may be make or break for a lot of players.

Trouble on the defensive side of the ball in the secondary and injuries to the receivers played a huge role in the team's rise and fall.

A shutdown defensive back (Dre Kirkpatrick or Cortland Finnegan) or speed receiver (Michael Floyd or Vincent Jackson) could help get the team over the hump.

Chicago Bears

This team looked like it could challenge Green Bay and Detroit, and then injuries struck at running back, quarterback and receiver.

If the three units come back strong and Chicago can find a solid receiver (Vincent Jackson) in free agency or the draft (Alshon Jeffery), this is a playoff team.

It needs to be or we could be seeing the last of Lovie Smith in Chicago.

Carolina Panthers

There was a lot to celebrate last year on this 6-10 team.

The offense found its leader in Cam Newton. Steve Smith found his magic hands and the team looked like it would be the Panthers of old.

Not so fast.

The defense still needs to catch up to the offense with a defensive tackle (Dontari Poe or maybe someone like Cory Redding at defensive end) and the team could also use another receiver (Brian Quick in the second round of the draft).

Expect this team to take another step toward the playoffs and maybe sneak in this season.

Seattle Seahawks

In the second half of the season, Pete Carroll found the magic again. If he can find better play at quarterback, this team's magic will runneth over. Maybe they get in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes or look to Matt Flynn.

Marshawn Lynch was the best back in the NFC in the second half of the season and the defense was steady. More of that will lead to more wins.

The NFC West, although dominated by San Francisco, is still winnable by every team in that division. Seattle should be able to put pressure on the 49ers from the start of the season.