Brett Favre Retires: Minnesota Vikings QB and Other Top Stories of NFL Finale

The NFL regular season has finally closed. While some teams are off on their journey to a Super Bowl, the remaining 20 teams will be left wondering where everything went wrong in their quest for a Super Bowl Championship.

We were left with many storylines following the Week 17 finale.

Brett Favre announced his retirement in Detroit. Many head coaches either lost their jobs, received support or were left wondering what their next step is on “Black Monday."

With so much happening in the NFL, here are some of the top storylines following the regular season finale.

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals, Won’t Return

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals coaches against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

It is being reported that Marvin Lewis will not return to the Cincinnati Bengals.

It’s about time.

Lewis should have been gone a long time ago, as his team has been unsuccessful for the most part and one of the most undisciplined teams in the league.

Their horrific 2010 season was the final nail in Lewis’ coaching coffin in Cincinnati.

Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns, Fired

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Eric Mangini, head coach of the Cleveland Browns stands over injured Browns player David Bowens #86 during a timeout against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo

Despite his team playing well for the majority of the season, Eric Mangini was the casualty of the Browns’ five-win season.

This firing appears unjustified, considering how well the Browns played for the most part despite a severely limited amount of talent on the roster.

Mangini turned fullback Peyton Hillis into one of the biggest surprises of the season. His team beat the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints and played the New York Jets tough to the last minute.

Mangini deserved at least one more season, as he had things heading in the right direction.

Arian Foster Leads League in Rushing

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - JANUARY 02: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes for major yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Arian Foster shocked the NFL world in the first week by obliterating the Indianapolis Colts for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Foster led the NFL in rushing and rushing touchdowns after Week 1 and never looked back.

After 16 games of the season, Foster still led the NFL in rushing with 1616 yards and 16 touchdowns.

A remarkable season for the Houston running back.

Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins, Not Guaranteed To Return

Marc Serota/Getty Images

MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Coach Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins underachieved this season, according to most people.

In my opinion, they were right where they should be.

They are merely a middle-of-the-pack team, considering their talent.

The offense was very poor this season, as Chad Henne failed to take his game to the next level, Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown ran terribly, and Brandon Marshall was either injured or too busy being upset about not getting a quality ball thrown his way.

Still, Sparano is a solid coach and deserves at least one more season to see his vision through, as the defense is still good, and the team had a big win against the New York Jets on the road.

Tom Coughlin, New York Giants, and Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans, Keep Jobs

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Tom Coughlin, Head Coach of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Im

It is being reported that both Tom Coughlin and Gary Kubiak will remain as head coaches for their respective teams. It is also being reported that Coughlin may receive a contract extension.

Although both teams missed out on the playoffs, and the Texans underachieved while the Giants collapsed again in the final month of the season, it is reassuring that some teams will stick by a head coach instead of panicking as long as they see that the potential is there for the future.

It is interesting, though, since both teams appear to be on the hot list for free agent head coach Bill Cowher.

Carolina Panthers Clinch No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal warm ups against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Panthers were terrible on both sides of the ball this season. Luckily for them, they will be rewarded with the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft.

It remains to be seen if potential franchise quarterback out of Stanford, Andrew Luck, will enter the draft. Most believe that if he does, he will be the No. 1 pick and headed to Carolina.

Regardless, Carolina fans at least have something to look forward to in the offseason and can have fun speculating whom their team should pick.

Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets Set for Playoffs

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass while playing against the New York Jets during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defea

The Colts beat the Titans as the Chiefs lost to the Raiders, which moved Indianapolis into the No. 3 seed.

They are now set to host the New York Jets in a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship.

This is the highlight game of the Wild Card Round, as both teams were preseason Super Bowl contenders.

It is going to be an exciting chess match between Peyton Manning’s cerebral offense and Rex Ryan’s gutsy, all-or-nothing defense.

New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Miss Playoffs Despite 10-Win Season

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is pushed out of bounds by Alex Brown #96 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated th

The Giants and Buccaneers went on the road Week 17 with their playoff hopes on the line. Both teams beat division rivals Washington and New Orleans, respectively, to give them a record of 10-6 for the season.

Although an impressive season for both, they both missed out on the playoffs, as the Green Bay Packers beat the division rival Chicago Bears to clinch a playoff berth.

Both teams slipped up in the final weeks of the season. Tampa Bay stumbled against the Detroit Lions while the Giants collapsed against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Though missing the playoffs, a 10-win season is still successful.

Seattle Seahawks Make Playoffs with 7-9 Record

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks talks with quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty

The Seattle Seahawks hosted the St. Louis Rams in the regular season finale with the NFC West division title and a wild-card playoff berth on the line.

Charlie Whitehurst and Mike Williams led the Seahawks to a 13-6 victory over their division rival.

The Seahawks enter the postseason with a losing 7-9 record and will host the New Orleans Saints in the first game of the 2010-2011 playoffs.

Brett Favre Announces Retirement

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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)

After the Minnesota Vikings loss to the Detroit Lions, Brett Favre announced that he was retiring from the NFL…again.

If this is truly Favre’s last season, which is never a guarantee when Favre throws the word retirement around, it will be a sad ending.

He had an awful season statistically, was beat up to the tee, was forced to end his consecutive start streak at 321 including the playoffs and to top it all off, the season included a sex scandal from 2008 when he was with the New York Jets.

What a disaster.

Favre would end his career completing 6,300 of 10,170 attempted passes (61.9 completion percentage) for 71,838 yards, 508 touchdowns and 336 interceptions.

He holds the record for most career touchdown passes, yards, completions, attempts and interceptions thrown. He also holds the record for most career wins as a starting quarterback.

Favre is one of the best to ever grace the gridiron. He is the definition of the ultimate warrior. He will be truly missed if this is indeed his last season.