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Quarterback Drew Bledsoe (above) and the Patriots ended the regular season 10-6 courtesy of a seven-game winning streak. The Patriots' season ended with a 20-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round.
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Running back LaDainian Tomlinson (above) was part of the Chargers' .500 regular season that was good enough for a playoff berth. The Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts in overtime in the wild-card round, but lost the following week to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 35-24.
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The New Orleans Saints ended the regular season 8-8 and secured a spot in the newly-expanded playoffs. The Saints and quarterback Steve Walsh (above) lost in the wild-card round to the Chicago Bears 16-6.
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In his rookie season, quarterback Robert Griffin III, (above) led the Redskins as they won the final seven games of the regular season, including an overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens that led to the firing of Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. The Redskins earned a playoff berth but lost in the wild-card round to the Seattle Seahawks.
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Herm Edwards (above) led the Jets as their head coach that season and led the group back from a 3-5 start to end the regular season, 6-2. It was good enough for a playoff berth that ended in the divisional round in a 30-10 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
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Quarterback Tim Tebow (above) helped the Broncos squeeze out a playoff berth with an 8-8 regular season record. The Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in overtime of the wild-card round but lost to the New England Patriots, 45-10 in the next round.
