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Burning Questions Who says postseason experience needed?
By Don Banks, Sports Illustrated Now that we're finally facing a final four in the NFL, Burning Questions attempts to take a fresh look at the field. But we're not just about winners. Whose playoff loss was the most painful, and which loser looks like the biggest winner so far this offseason? We provide the answers ... 1. What kind of conference title games are we in for Sunday, and can we use the recent past to predict the future? Answer: Conventional wisdom says this might be one of the least impressive and least likely NFL final fours in quite some time. What with Baltimore and Oakland both being a modest 8-8 last season, and the Giants finishing with a losing record at 7-9 in 1999. Only the Vikings, who were 10-6 and won a first-round playoff game last year, have any real playoff experience. Right? Well, we could have said the exact same thing last season. Remember? In 1999's final four, Tennessee and Tampa Bay were both coming off 8-8 seasons in 1998, while the St. Louis Rams were big losers the year before, at 4-12. Only Jacksonville had any real playoff experience. The Jaguars had made the playoffs four consecutive years, tying the Vikings for the NFL's longest active streak at that time. But in the conference title games, it was the teams with no recent playoff experience -- Tennessee and St. Louis -- that won out against the teams that had at least been to the postseason of late, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. This year that trend would seem to favor the Giants, who have far less of a postseason track record than Minnesota. But in the AFC, neither the Ravens nor Raiders have anything other than this year to go on. Baltimore's franchise last made the postseason in 1994, when the team was in Cleveland, and before this year the Raiders were last a playoff team in 1993. Whatever happens, there's going to be some new blood in the Super Bowl. Between them, the four conference finalists have just three title game appearances and one Super Bowl berth since 1990: Minnesota lost at home in that overtime NFC thriller to Atlanta in '98, while both the Raiders and Giants made it this far in '90. Oakland got lambasted at Buffalo 51-3 in the AFC title game, while visiting New York upset San Francisco 15-13 in the NFC. The Giants then held off the Bills by the width of a missed Scott Norwood field goal in Super Bowl XXV in Tampa. 2. Which playoff loser will be burdened with the deepest sense of regret and failure this offseason? Answer: Ah, we pause to remember the Titans. Tennessee is the only home team to lose so far in eight playoff games, and the AFC defending champions basically wasted their stellar 13-3 season, which earned them their conference's No. 1 seed. Before the playoffs began, Tennessee was roundly recognized as the most complete team in the playoffs. They had a dominating home field advantage -- dominating against everyone but Baltimore, as it turns out -- a superb running game built around the work ethic of Eddie George and an underrated defense that made their conservative offensive approach a successful one. But in the end, that play-it-safe approach on offense cost the Titans, who could not sustain any real offensive rhythm against the Ravens. They repeatedly bogged down in the red zone Sunday against Baltimore, never really allowed quarterback Steve McNair to throw the ball downfield and died when their usually reliable special teams fell apart. And yes, to repeat, it has been a tough, tough year for guys from Tennessee named Al. All the good fortune that the Titans rode to the Super Bowl last season seemed to escape them against Baltimore, a divisional rival that presents a myriad of matchup problems. This year so far, the Ravens look like they're playing the role of the Titans. There's no pressure on them, expectations have already been far exceeded and they're finding unusual ways to win. 3. Of all the offseason hirings that have occurred thus far, who has improved themselves the most? Answer: Maybe it's only because they had so much to improve upon, but it's hard to not give the early nod to the woebegone San Diego Chargers. In the span of about a week, the picture has brightened considerably in southern California. First came the long anticipated hiring of general manager John Butler, who is among the most respected and well-liked front office executives in the league. Even better for the Chargers, Butler's friend and confidant, Buffalo personnel man A.J. Smith, will be named assistant GM in San Diego before long. The Butler-Smith team worked wonders in small-market Buffalo for most of the past decade, finding ways to keep the Bills competitive through the draft and free agency. Then, on Tuesday, came word that former Redskins head coach Norv Turner had agreed to become the Chargers' offensive coordinator. Some would say that as a head coach Turner makes a great offensive coordinator. But his track record in that job is impressive and he will no doubt bring a sense of hope and organization to the disarray that has been the Chargers. Many believe Turner chose San Diego because he'll be in place to be elevated to the role of head coach next year at this time, if Mike Riley doesn't fulfill the expectations of owner Alex Spanos. Maybe, maybe not. But whatever the case, replacing a Geep Chryst with a Norv Turner qualifies as an upgrade in today's NFL. Finally, the Chargers' luck also appears to be turning on the Michael Vick front. The talented Virginia Tech quarterback looks poised to declare for the NFL draft this week, meaning San Diego's No. 1 overall pick in April's draft just got a whole lot more valuable. Whether they keep the pick and select Vick, or trade it for a care package of draft choices, the Chargers have much better options if Vick comes out. Don Banks covers pro football for CNNSI.com.
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