NFL Rumors: Andrew Luck and the Next Step for Teams That Missed The Playoffs

The playoffs are set. 12 teams will now start their quest for the Super Bowl.

For the 20 other teams, the offseason process of scouting college players for the draft begins anew.

The Carolina Panthers will certainly be watching the Orange Bowl, where quarterback Andrew Luck of Stanford will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies.

But what about everyone else?

Here are the next steps for each team that missed the 2011 NFL Playoffs.

Carolina Panthers (2-14)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal in action against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Next Step: Draft Andrew Luck.

If Luck enters the 2011 NFL Draft, the Panthers will almost certainly take him with the No. 1 overall pick.

If Luck can step up and play decently, the Panthers have a legitimate shot of being relevant again in a couple years.

Denver Broncos (4-12)

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos acknowledges the crowd after an announcement to honor him for making the Pro Bowl team during a break in the action against the San Diego Chargers at INVESCO Field at Mile Hig

Next Step: Get a real head coach.

The Broncos fired Josh McDaniels during the season, replacing him with an interim coach.

What they really need this offseason is to bring in a veteran coach or coordinator to run this team.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

Next Step: Get rid of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.

The T.Ocho show was fun while it lasted, but it's no coincidence that Carson Palmer has been a better quarterback these past two weeks with both of his loud-mouthed receivers sidelined with injuries.

Bringing in another solid receiver in free agency and developing their young talent is the direction in which the Bengals need to proceed.

Buffalo Bills (4-12)

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills readies to pass against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Next Step: Get better on the offensive line.

The Bills' offensive line has been horrendous for a few years now.

They need to use a high draft pick on a lineman and maybe find a guy in free agency who can upgrade their blocking.

If things stay the way they are now, it won't matter who the Bills put at quarterback.

Arizona Cardinals (5-11)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Quarterback John Skelton #19 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the

Next Step: Get Larry Fitzgerald involved.

No matter who the quarterback is in Arizona next season, one thing needs to happen.

Larry Fitzgerald needs to get the ball in his hands.

Whoever the Cardinals put under center better have a good rapport with Fitzgerald.

Cleveland Browns (5-11)

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Tailback Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball by linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Next Step: Figure out the coaching situation.

Reports are saying that GM Mike Holmgren and head coach Eric Mangini aren't going to work together again next season.

That means the Browns need to figure out who's staying and who's going.

Then, they need to get the new guy acquainted with the team so they can move on.

San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Next Step: Find a new quarterback.

Whether it's Donovan McNabb or someone from the draft, the 49ers need a new quarterback to run their offense.

They need to finally cut all ties with Alex Smith and try to move on.

Washington Redskins (6-10)

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by

Next Step: Find a quarterback.

Apparently Donovan McNabb is not the answer.

I think we can all safely assume that Rex Grossman isn't the answer.

That means the Redskins need a new guy in the draft or free agency.

Someone like Ryan Mallett might fit in as a Redskin.

Tennessee Titans (6-10)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs for a touchdown during NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Next Step: Find a new quarterback or a new head coach.

It's clear that Jeff Fisher and Vince Young won't work together.

Therefore, the Titans need to replace one of them.

If they think Young is the QB of the future, they need to let Fisher go.

If not, they need to cut ties with Young.

Dallas Cowboys (6-10)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Interim head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Next Step: Get some help in the secondary.

The Cowboys had a horrible secondary this season.

They need to find a new pair of safeties. I'd recommend finding one in free agency and drafting one in the first round.

Though there were problems all over on this team, the secondary was by far the worst. 

Detroit Lions (6-10)

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass in the last minute of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 14-12. (Photo

Next Step: Get secondary help.

The Lions are in the same boat as the Cowboys. Both teams need to find someone to help them shut down the opposing quarterback.

The Lions have a high-octane offense, but even they can't keep up with how many points the defense allows.

Houston Texans (6-10)

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - JANUARY 02: Head coach Gary Kubiak of the Houston Texans checks the scroreboard in the fourth quarter during action against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Next Step: Make a head coaching change.

Bill Cowher listed the Texans as one of the three teams he'd come out of retirement to coach.

Therefore, the Texans should fire Gary Kubiak and put all of their efforts into luring Cowher to Houston.

Maybe he can get the team to live up to their talent.

Minnesota Vikings (6-10)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Next Step: Develop a quarterback.

The Brett Favre era is finally done in Minnesota and Tarvaris Jackson's contract is expiring.

That leaves Joe Webb as the only quarterback on the Minnesota roster.

They need to decide whether they want to pursue a new quarterback or develop Webb.

Miami Dolphins (7-9)

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Tony Sparano on the sideline against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Next Step: Revamp the offense.

The Dolphin offense was pretty stagnant this season.

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams had off years, and Brandon Marshall didn't have a very big impact.

They need to figure out how to make the offense more productive this offseason.

St. Louis Rams (7-9)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Next Step: Become a better road team.

The Rams faced a situation where they needed to go on the road and beat the hapless Seattle Seahawks in order to make the playoffs.

Long story short, they blew it and will now be sitting at home watching the playoffs.

Winning a tough game on the road will be the next step for the Rams, who should challenge for the NFC West title again next year.

Oakland Raiders (8-8)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball during their game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Next Step: Have a good draft.

The Raiders are on the verge of relevancy again.

So, their next step is to address their weak areas in the draft.

They can't afford another Darius Heyward-Bey incident this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches the action during the game against the Washington Redskins at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Next Step: Get healthy.

The Jaguars would have won the AFC South this season if Maurice Jones-Drew could have stayed healthy down the stretch.

They need to rest up and get healthy so they can pick up where they left off next season.

San Diego Chargers (9-7)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers takes the field against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensing

Next Step: Play well in September and October.

The Chargers took it for granted that they would make the playoffs this season.

They started out play badly and thinking they'd make a late season run like they always do.

This season, their run started too late and it cost them the division.

Maybe next year they should try playing consistently all year long.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

Next Step: Beat the good teams.

The Bucs finally beat a good team on Sunday when they took down the New Orleans Saints.

But, the Saints weren't playing for anything, so put an asterisk next to that victory.

Of the Bucs 10 wins, nine came against teams with sub-.500 records.

They need to beat winning teams next season in order to take the next step as a team.

New York Giants (10-6)

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Next Step: Take care of the football.

Too many fumbles and too many interceptions burned the Giants down the stretch this season.

They need to put Ahmad Bradshaw on whatever training program Adrian Peterson was on last season to help cure his fumble problems.

Meanwhile, Eli Manning needs to get in the film room and break down his mistakes so he doesn't make them next year.