Each week 64% of Americans watch 6-10 hours of the National Football League throughout the US. And each year just as many have hopes that their team will make it all the way and be the big winners of the Super Bowl championship. Even fans that have never seen their team even come close, and hold out hope for miracles like the New Orleans Saints a few years ago. Everyone believes this is the year. But sadly, for many NFL teams they won’t even come close.

In 2012 we have seen the battles between the heavy hitters, but what about those who were trailing behind? What teams didn’t quite make it to the playoffs, or even halfway up the national roster? What about their season and now off season ventures?

This year the low team on the totem pole was the Kansas City Chiefs. With a 2-14 record the Chiefs had a rough year eventually firing their head coach and seeing the resignation of Scott Pioli, their General Manager. There is an upside though as they move ahead for the first draft pick in the 2013 season. Rumor has it they are looking at adding a quarterback to their team and right now there is a four way tie between Geno Smith of WVU fame, Ryan Nassib, Tyler Wilson, and Matt Barkley.

Another team that went 2-14 this season was the Jacksonville Jaguars. It seemed their quarterback was much to blame for this sad record and as it goes in the NFL head Coach Mike Mularkey was fired by the new GM. David Caldwell, the new GM, is excited however about rebuilding from the ground up in the offseason and next year the Jaguars could be good contenders. So if you are an avid fan or a season ticket holder, hold on to your Jacksonville Jaguars tickets because 2013 looks to be really exciting.

Although the Jets have two famed quarterbacks with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow, they didn’t make it past #30 on the Fox Sports Power Ranking list. A lot of blame fell on Sanchez for playing poorly this year and not doing well with pre-snap reads. The QB coach is also being replaced and fans are looking at who may be coming in, and who else may be getting replaced this year. The 2013 draft is also crucial for the Jets as they have many holes to fill on their team roster and if they follow through with the expected cut of Calvin Pace in the offseason they will need a strong pass-rusher like Jarvis Jones.

Sadly another team that seems to have a quarterback that doesn’t quite cut it is the Oakland Raiders. It appears that QB Terrelle Pryor made a valiant effort for the 2012 season but fell just short of being all he needed to be for an NFL quarterback. There are hopes for the 2013 season however with newly signed contracts by running back Jon Hoese, nose tackle Johnny Jones, and a reserve contract for receiver Isaiah Williams.

The Eagles, the Titans, the Lions, and the Cardinals weren’t much better this season in their attempt for professional football glory. The reality is the NFL is a tough business to be in and with serious injuries like the Chiefs QB Robert Griffin III’s knee, or the Detriot Lions’ DT Nick Fairley’s shoulder, you never know where a team will end up when the first games of the season are played. But as much as you love to see your team succeed, a true fan will support their team through thick and thin, up and down, wins and loses always holding out hope for the next season, if nothing else.