While the NFL Playoffs are just getting underway, the teams that missed out are already retooling for next year. Some of the PorchDrinking sports writers give their take on what some of those teams need to do to be competitive during the 2014 season.

Chicago Bears

By Mike Zoller

The Bears frustrated their fans this season, a season where they should have easily gone to the playoffs. Loses to Washington, Minnesota and twice to Detroit cost them the postseason in 2013. While Jay Cutler was out with an injury Josh McCown led the team like no one could have imagined.

First year head coach Marc Trestman had his ups and downs. Many, myself included, blame him for the lost at home against Detroit. A clearly struggling Cutler was battling multiple injuries yet Trestman  never put in McCown. By the time he did put in the second stringer it was too little too late.

The biggest issue to fix in the offseason will be the defense. It’s so weird to say that for a Chicago Bears team but the offense was great and the defense was just horrendous. The team hasn’t announced whether or not they will keep Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker, but I don’t think he will be on the sidelines next year.

Chris Conte looked confused and overwhelmed most of the year and let up the game-winning touchdown to the Packers which ultimately cost them the playoffs. Yes the Bears had injuries but they should have been able to overcome them. It will be interesting to see who stays and who goes in 2014. They have wrapped up Cutler for seven years giving them a solid QB for years to come. The offensive line, a usually weak position for the Bears is solid. Look for the Bears to go hard after defensive players in free agency and the draft. I think they will be a playoff team next year.

Cleveland Browns

By Jason Behler

Cleveland, oh Cleveland. Now the perennial whipping boy of the AFC North, the Cleveland Browns (version 2.0) are in a perpetual state of rebuilding. With the firing of head coach Rod Chudzinski, the Browns will be hiring a new head coach for the fourth time since the end of the 2008 eight season.

Most around the league agree that this was a silly move considering he had the job for less than one year and less than average skill players on offense, including at the QB position. They gave away (at least for very little) first round draft pick Trent Richardson to the Colts only a few games into the season, and reports of in fighting were rampant surrounding the move. This organization needs some stability. They need to hire a coaching staff that has a style, and a vision to build towards.

At the QB position, losing Brian Hoyer devastated this team at a time when they looked like they could really be a contender in this division; however, his replacements – Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell – were pretty bad. Their run game was nonexistent – leading rusher, the elderly Willis McGahee, had 377 rushing this year.

They need to build the O-line if they want to compete in the AFC North, which will take pressure off of whoever they have at QB. The strategy moving forward is to find an architect – a man with a vision of how to build an offense from rubble. And a man with whom they will have the patience to see his vision come to fruition. Many think Josh McDaniels will be that architect…and the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Washington Redskins

By Josh Buchanan

When it comes to the Washington Redskins and their regular season woes, it feels like everything went wrong. The team rode on the back on RGIII to claim the NFC East title and make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The Redskins were the first team to hire a new head coach when they tabbed Cincinnati Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden to lead the team. Gruden is an offensive-minded coach who has shown he can put together an offense that can score a lot of points very quickly.

If any city knows about injuries and their playoff implications, it’s DC. Whether it was losing RGIII in the first round of playoffs last year, or the Nationals deactivating Strasburg and also suffering a first round defeat, there is always plenty to talk about on the beltway. In addition, with the firing of Mike Shanahan after four seasons (1 playoff appearance, 3 losing seasons), the real issues that need to be addressed are on the depth chart.

In what was widely regarded as a very weak NFC East Division this year (which was true), the Redskins failed to capture any offensive swagger and stumbled right out of the gate in Week 1 MNF against the newcomer Chip Kelly and his rebranded Eagles. The season didn’t change and can ultimately be summed up in the closing minute of Week 16 against Dallas. Look for Gruden and his staff to help Morris and Garcon get the matchups they need to help bolster a better showing in 2014.