The NFL’s scintillating offseason was replaced by agonizing months of when-will-the-lockout-end jargon. The differences between the owners and players threated the NFL’s 16-game season. Finally, only the Hall of Fame game was compromised, but the schedule started on time after a full preseason slate of games, unlike the NBA. A new Collective Bargaining Agreement was ratified and all of the trouble was resolved.

The Packers went 11-5 in 2010 and heated up at the right time, winning their last six games. Rodgers, who has been with Green Bay since 2005, won the Super Bowl MVP and had one of his most memorable performances against the Steelers. Since then, Green Bay continued to roll in a 19 game winning streak until being derailed by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 of the 2011 season.

After months of scrutiny in the NFL draft process, Cam Newton kept his cool. The Panthers selected the Heisman Trophy winner No. 1 overall, and were heavily scrutinized, but never flinched. Newton, who was given the keys to the Carolina offense on Day 1 against the Cardinals, has exceeded even the grandest expectations. Although the Panthers won’t make the playoffs, Newton’s record-breaking season has him as a surefire candidate for rookie of the year honors.

Jim Harbaugh was the sexiest hire on the market following last season and for good reason. After leading the Stanford Cardinal to a win at the Orange Bowl, the 49ers signed Harbaugh to a five-year, $25 million contract. Harbaugh has infused Alex Smith’s career, reinvigorated a moth-eaten defense and has led San Francisco to the top of the dog-hurl NFC West.

Kyle Orton started the Broncos’ first five games and led them to a 1-4 record. John Fox injected Tim Tebow into the offense and the season was forever changed. Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy shaped the offense to fit Tebow’s “unique skillset” and has Denver primed to win its first AFC West championship since 2005.