Now that the 2008 NFL regular season is over, it's time to look at the non-playoff teams and review what went right, what went wrong, and what the future holds.

Patriots
What went right - The Patriots ended up at 11-5, with their backup QB, which ordinarily is good enough to clinch a playoff spot. Matt Cassel proved he can be an effective QB - BenJarvus Green-Ellis gave them a glimpse of their future at RB, and did well with his limited opportunities - The Patriots offense remained at or near the top of the league
What went wrong - Lamont Jordan, along with most of the Patriots RBs were oft-injured - The week 3 loss to Miami proved to be a playoff-buster - defense played well, but had lapses at times
Coaching status - No changes will even be considered
Biggest question heading into 2009 - Will Tom Brady return to form?

Jets
What went right - Jets went through an 11 game stretch where they seemed like an elite team - The team was still better with Favre than without - Impressive road victories against New England and Tennessee had Jet fans thinking big - Jets had seven pro bowlers
What went wrong - Another December collapse prevented the Jets from making playoffs - Mangini's decisions and game plans were well off the mark - Favre looked lost during the last five games of the season
Coaching status - All signs point to Mangini getting the ax...and rightfully so. He never quite knew how to use Favre to the team's advantage
Questions heading into 2009 - Will Favre return in 2009?

Bills
What went right - The team started out on fire (4-0) before fizzling - Marshawn Lynch cracked 1,000 yard mark
What went wrong - Team went 3-9 over last 12 games - Trent Edwards didn't impress and JP Losman showed the world that he's already done - All seven victories came against teams that were at or under .500. They failed to beat a team with a winning record - Lee Evans had 3 TDs, which was the most of any Bills WR, and that is a problem
Coaching status - Juron will probably be fired after another losing season.
Questions heading into 2009 - Will the Bills stick with Edwards as their QB?

Bengals
What went right - Cedric Benson showed signs of life - Player arrests were held to a minimum - Chad whatever-his-last- name-is stayed out of trouble - the Bengals won their last three games
What went wrong - This team couldn't score points, finishing last in yards and points scored - Carson Palmer missed most of the season, and Ryan Fitzpatrick proved that he wasn't the answer - the team rarely played hard
Coaching status - Reports suggest Lewis is safe, but he's not going to turn this debacle around. He should be fired
Questions heading into 2009 - Will Palmer return to form?

Browns
What went right - In limited duty, Brady Quinn looked decent - they trounced the Giants earlier in the season
What went wrong - Cleveland lost their last 6 games and 8 of their last 9 games - Ken Dorsey had 0 TD passes and 7 INT - Winslow and Derek Anderson were hurt for much of the season - Donte' Stallworth was a bust
Coaching status - Romeo Crennel is going, going, gone
Questions heading into 2009 Who will be the team's QB next season?

Texans
What went right - Team finished a respectable 8-8 and knocked Bears out of the playoffs - When healthy, Schaub showed he can lead his team to victory - team won 5 of last 6 games - Steve Slaton proved to be the real deal - Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter proved to be a lethal 1-2 WR tandem
What went wrong - This team was streaky - lost first 4 games of the season - Defense was too inconsistent - QB Sage Rosenfels had a knack for making poor decisions late in games
Coaching status - Gary Kubiak should be safe for another season
Questions heading into 2009 - Can Schaub stay healthy enough to lead this team to the next level?

Jaguars
What went right - Team lost 6 of last 7 games and seemed lifeless - Offense and usually strong defense were below average - Matt Jones emerged as a go-to receiver
What went wrong - Neither RB rushed for over 1,000 yards - Team quit late in season - Reggie Hayward led team in sacks with just 4.5
Coaching status - Late season slide could cost Del Rio his job - 50/50 that he's a goner
Questions heading into 2009 Will MJD bounce back to cause chaos for opposing defenses again?

Broncos
What went right - Team offense was number two in total yards from scrimmage - Jay Cutler continued to improve - Peyton Hillis proved to be a nice surprise - Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal had great seasons
What went wrong - The defense was as bad as a unit can be - The team wilted down the stretch and lost their last game to miss playoffs - Hillis had most rushing yards at just under 400 yards - Selvin Young was a disappointment
Coaching status Change is unlikely
Questions heading into 2009 - Who will grab the starting RB job?


Raiders
What went right - Team played .500 over the past six games - the rushing game was above average, led by Justin Fargas - JaMarcus Russell didn't show much progress, but didn't regress either
What went wrong - Lane Kiffin's sloppy departure - Al Davis...nuff said - Defense couldn't stop the run
Coaching status - Tom Cable is not the coach Davis wants for his team, but who wants this job? Cable is 50/50 at best to return
Questions heading into 2009 - Will Russell and McFadden be the players Oakland thought they'd be?

Chiefs
What went right - The Detriot Lions were worse - Thigpen showed flashes - Gonzales and Bowe had nice seasons
What went wrong - Just about everything - LJ showed glimpses of his old self, but a RB on a bad team always coming from behind will do little to help his team, as was the case - defense had more holes than swiss cheese
Coaching status - Edwards is not a good coach, and is on his way out
Questions heading into 2009 - Can defense makes strides to be on par with offense

Cowboys
What went right - Team was dynamic at times - Offense was potent - Felix Jones and Tashard Choice showed promise
What went wrong - Lost three of last four games - Owens continued causing trouble - Romo was unable to come through in a big game....again - Barber's injury at season's end coincided with team losses
Coaching status - Such a poor showing in season finale could cost Phillips. 60% chance he's gone.
Questions heading into 2009 - Will this team be gutted or remain in tact?

Redskins
What went right - Started the season 6-2 before falling apart - Defense was solid - Portis had another great season - Jason Campbell adapted well to coach Zorn's new offense
What went wrong - Team wilted after strong start - Offense lost its way as season progressed - Zorn made some questionable moves down the stretch
Coaching status - Zorn came under fire, but should get another year to prove himself.
Questions heading into 2009 - Will Zorn turn around an underachieving offense?

Bears
What went right - Matt Forte emerged as a serious big-play RB threat - defense was tough against the run
What went wrong - Lost final game to miss playoffs - Offense was below average - Defense was horrible against the pass
Coaching status - Lovie Smith should be safe
Questions heading into 2009 - Will this team look for a new QB to lead the team?

Packers
What went right - Aaron Rodgers played well and showed flashes of being a star in this league - Greg Jennings had a stellar season - Ryan Grant performed well
What went wrong - Team lost 7 of last 9 games - Despite Grant breaking 1,000 yards rushing, the team often alienated the running game - Favre's absence had to have some impact on team - Defense lapses hurt this team
Coaching status - Mike McCarthy should be safe, but there's a small chance a change could come if team feels he mishandled Favre situation
Questions heading into 2009 - Can this defense rebound?

Lions
What went right - Matt Millen was fired - Calvin Johnson had a good season
What went wrong - Everything else
Coaching status - Goodbye
Questions heading into 2009 - Will this team win a game?

Buccaneers
What went right - Team was talented enough to be a playoff team - Antonio Bryant had a breakout season
What went wrong - Team lost last four games to miss playoffs - Earnest Graham was lost for much of the season - Jeff Garcia fought through injury - Joey Galloway was MIA
Coaching status - Gruden should be fine, but could be assistant coach changes
Questions heading into 2009 - Who will be the new defensive coordinator?

Saints
What went right - Brees had a stellar season - Lance Moore emerged as a big time threat on offense - Overall offense was potent and at times lethal
What went wrong - Defense struggled - team never won more than two games in a row - Colston was shut down more often than expected - Bush and the Deuce missed significant playing time - despite impressive passing attack, rushing attack was less than stellar - team was expected to challenge for playoff spot
Coaching status - Sean Payton should have another year to get this team into playoffs
Questions heading into 2009 Will Reggie Bush get on track in 2009?

49ers
What went right - Team won 4 of last 5 games - Isaac Bruce had a nice comeback season - Frank Gore did what was expected of him - team played hard down the stretch thanks to Mike Singletary
What went wrong - Team received subpar play from the QB position - Team endured 6 game losing streak - Singletary and Mike Martz didn't see eye to eye - Team had no RB options to spell Gore
Coaching status - Singletary will be back, but Martz is gone for sure
Questions heading into 2009 - Can team start out strong in 2009 to challenge in weak division?

Seahawks
What went right - Seneca Wallace had 9 TDs and just 1 INT - John Carlson emerged as a potent weapon at TE
What went wrong - Offense and defense were dreadful - Hasselbeck was off - Julius Jones didn't have the year that was expected of him
Coaching status - Mike Holmgren has called it quits
Questions heading into 2009 - If Holmgren couldn't turn things around, can new coach be expected to do so?

Rams
What went right - Just about nothing
What went wrong - Everything. Offense and defense were putrid - QB play was terrible from all involved - Injuries to Steven Jackson hurt team - Team looked lifeless for most of the season
Coaching status - Haslett is probably a dead man walking
Questions heading into 2009 - Will this team be gutted?



Court Adjourned!