DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: The date of the last game the Colts tried to win: Dec. 17. The date of this week's divisional playoff game: Jan. 16. So essentially it will have been a month off for Indy's competitive juices to flow from kickoff to final gun.

DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: The date of the last game the Colts tried to win: Dec. 17. The date of this week's divisional playoff game: Jan. 16. So essentially it will have been a month off for Indy's competitive juices to flow from kickoff to final gun. Should one extra week off affect the NFL's best team? Of course, it should not. But judging how the Ravens started last week in New England, Peyton Manning had better have his guys ready from the very beginning.
THIS WEEK: vs. Ravens, Saturday

DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: No matter what they say publicly, the Saints have to be wondering what happened to their mojo. Maybe the players subconsciously lost their edge after winning that huge Week 12 Monday nighter against the Patriots, a game that had a Super Bowl aura around it at the time.

DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: No matter what they say publicly, the Saints have to be wondering what happened to their mojo. Maybe the players subconsciously lost their edge after winning that huge Week 12 Monday nighter against the Patriots, a game that had a Super Bowl aura around it at the time. Now that the Pats' season is over already, the win loses a little luster. As do the Saints, as they're 2-3 since with their scoring total dropping in each successive game.
THIS WEEK: vs. Cardinals, Saturday

DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: The wait is over, the city can believe again and the coach, QB and owner can all finally breathe sighs of relief. The Cowboys won a playoff game and now that the gorillas have left Jerry's beautiful building, how far can these Cowpokes ride this playoff horse? Lately Tony Romo has played like John Wayne, but it's the defense that may bum-rush the league for a Super Bowl trip.

DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: The wait is over, the city can believe again and the coach, QB and owner can all finally breathe sighs of relief. The Cowboys won a playoff game and now that the gorillas have left Jerry's beautiful building, how far can these Cowpokes ride this playoff horse? Lately Tony Romo has played like John Wayne, but it's the defense that may bum-rush the league for a Super Bowl trip.
THIS WEEK: at Vikings, Sunday

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: America, meet the new Tony Romo! That's right, Mr. Rodgers — you are now the new "young QB star without any playoff success." Sad thing is, Rodgers played his heart out in rallying Green Bay to five straight second-half TD drives and still losing at Arizona.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: America, meet the new Tony Romo! That's right, Mr. Rodgers — you are now the new "young QB star without any playoff success." Sad thing is, Rodgers played his heart out in rallying Green Bay to five straight second-half TD drives and still losing at Arizona. But despite his historic numbers, Rodgers will be dreaming all offseason about missing a wide-open Greg Jennings for a potential wild-card-winning TD in the OT's first play.

DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: Give Mark Sanchez some mad props after his playoff debut. If not for a horrible end-zone drop by Braylon Edwards, Sanchez's first-half line would have read: 8-for-10, 2 TD passes.

DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: Give Mark Sanchez some mad props after his playoff debut. If not for a horrible end-zone drop by Braylon Edwards, Sanchez's first-half line would have read: 8-for-10, 2 TD passes. Not bad for a rookie, albeit one well-shielded by the NFL's No. 1 running game. Congrats to the Jets for the wild-card win, but Cincy was clearly running on fumes. This week's opponent is a bit more rested and ready.
THIS WEEK: at Chargers, Sunday

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: On one hand, it's easy to blame Chad Ochocinco for talking too much and under-delivering against his buddy Darrelle Revis. But especially in hindsight, there may not have been a worse first-round matchup for Cincy — facing the NFL's best defense and premiere shutdown corner as the banged-up Bengals had just one good WR.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: On one hand, it's easy to blame Chad Ochocinco for talking too much and under-delivering against his buddy Darrelle Revis. But especially in hindsight, there may not have been a worse first-round matchup for Cincy — facing the NFL's best defense and premiere shutdown corner as the banged-up Bengals had just one good WR. Palmer never looked comfy and will have a long offseason to think about what went wrong. Marvin Lewis needs a couple more weapons for his QB.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: It wasn't a playoff year, but getting to 9-7 despite key losses throughout the season can provide hope into 2010. The Falcons need to keep overhauling the defense, especially in the secondary, and see if they can add one more big-time playmaker on offense.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: It wasn't a playoff year, but getting to 9-7 despite key losses throughout the season can provide hope into 2010. The Falcons need to keep overhauling the defense, especially in the secondary, and see if they can add one more big-time playmaker on offense. It's definitely doable, and with the right moves the Falcons are back in the playoffs next season.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: They didn't make the playoffs, but going 8-2 down to finish the season with Vince Young and Chris Johnson leading the way was impressive and plenty to build on. Just as important was the defensive (and coordinator Chuck Cecil's) improvement throughout the season.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: They didn't make the playoffs, but going 8-2 down to finish the season with Vince Young and Chris Johnson leading the way was impressive and plenty to build on. Just as important was the defensive (and coordinator Chuck Cecil's) improvement throughout the season. Questions for 2010: Can Vince Young take the next step, and will Johnson break Eric Dickerson's record when getting starter touches for all 16 games?

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Gary Kubiak saved his gig with a surprising four-game winning streak to finish the decade of doldrums in Houston. But there is finally something for the Texans to hang their helmets on — an offense that can light up the scoreboard and the NFL's best receiver in Andre Johnson.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Gary Kubiak saved his gig with a surprising four-game winning streak to finish the decade of doldrums in Houston. But there is finally something for the Texans to hang their helmets on — an offense that can light up the scoreboard and the NFL's best receiver in Andre Johnson. More importantly, QB Matt Schaub finally stayed in one piece for 16 games. The Texans should go hard after another pass rusher and dig up a hot CB prospect or two, as they are finally on the cusp on breaking through in 2010.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Mike Singletary didn't get his team to the playoffs, but he must be proud of what's starting to come together by the Bay. Linebacker Patrick Willis should become a star next season on a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league this season, a defense that kept opponents under double digits in five of the 49ers' final eight games (all wins).

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Mike Singletary didn't get his team to the playoffs, but he must be proud of what's starting to come together by the Bay. Linebacker Patrick Willis should become a star next season on a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league this season, a defense that kept opponents under double digits in five of the 49ers' final eight games (all wins). Plus, the team knows it can take down the Cardinals, having swept the NFC West champions in 2009.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Jay Cutler in Chicago didn't quite work out this time. But if Brian Urlacher returns in top form, the defense — even with no other additions — should be much more competitive in 2010.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Jay Cutler in Chicago didn't quite work out this time. But if Brian Urlacher returns in top form, the defense — even with no other additions — should be much more competitive in 2010. For those wondering why Chicago didn't run the ball more, pipe down. Chicago should work on getting more playmakers for Jay Cutler — this is a passing league nowadays, folks.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: What the heck happened to this defense? Step one was putting Bill Sheridan out of his misery. But the next steps by GM Jerry Reese will be crucial. Remember just a few months ago when Reese was the NFL's new star GM? Unfortunately, none of his moves to bulk up the defense last offseason worked out.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: What the heck happened to this defense? Step one was putting Bill Sheridan out of his misery. But the next steps by GM Jerry Reese will be crucial. Remember just a few months ago when Reese was the NFL's new star GM? Unfortunately, none of his moves to bulk up the defense last offseason worked out. Watch for him to focus on improving depth of his fallen secondary, especially with Philly and Dallas boasting more and more WR weapons in the NFC East.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: So long, T.O., at least it was a nice send-off as he continued his streak of biting his tongue in the first year with a new team. Get ready for another new team in 2010.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: So long, T.O., at least it was a nice send-off as he continued his streak of biting his tongue in the first year with a new team. Get ready for another new team in 2010. For the Bills, their embarrassing coaching "firings" open the front office for a new football czar. Problem is, Bill Cowher is the only heavy hitter who'd consider Buffalo, and he's reportedly not considering Buffalo. Hmm ...

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Good for Raheem Morris. He may have seemed (and been) overmatched during the first half of the season. But by finally making the tough calls and key adjustments — handing Josh Freeman the keys to the team at midseason, then cancelling the new defense and taking the reins — he made the Bucs respectable in the second half of the season.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Good for Raheem Morris. He may have seemed (and been) overmatched during the first half of the season. But by finally making the tough calls and key adjustments — handing Josh Freeman the keys to the team at midseason, then cancelling the new defense and taking the reins — he made the Bucs respectable in the second half of the season.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: A brutal regular season ended on a high note with their season-ending upset in Denver. The good news: It looks as if RB Jamaal Charles is the new anchor in the backfield, giving Matt Cassel some much-needed support on offense.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: A brutal regular season ended on a high note with their season-ending upset in Denver. The good news: It looks as if RB Jamaal Charles is the new anchor in the backfield, giving Matt Cassel some much-needed support on offense. Watch for more ex-Bill Belichick assistants to land in Kansas City as the Chiefs look to become "Patriots Midwest" with Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: It's weird to think of a 2-14 season as an improvement. Such is life in Motown as a Lions fan. Head coach Jim Schwartz knew this was no ordinary rebuilding gig, so his eyes are wide open to what needs to happen next in Detroit: Defense, defense, defense.

OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: It's weird to think of a 2-14 season as an improvement. Such is life in Motown as a Lions fan. Head coach Jim Schwartz knew this was no ordinary rebuilding gig, so his eyes are wide open to what needs to happen next in Detroit: Defense, defense, defense. Watch for the ex-Titans defensive coordinator to go hard after play-stoppers in the draft and offseason.