* The Buccaneers had their obvious shortcomings, but played into the final eight in the playoffs. The Bucs were in their fourth straight playoff appearance, the longest such streak among NFC teams. Also worthy of note: Making the playoffs can be a marketing coup—especially when an ABC/ESPN Tampa Bay vs. Philadelphia home game is juxtaposed to those played in snowstorms.
* Alabama’s Nick Saban has retired. He went out on top with another College Football Playoff appearance. Bill Belichick didn’t get the post-Tom Brady memo soon enough.