The game of football is filled with what if’s and if only’s. If this or, if not this, then; or here, we would have won or gotten into the playoffs or been a hero instead of goat.
This year proved to have it’s fair share.
What if:

The Chargers were about to kick the game-winning field goal with less than a minute to go against the Chiefs. As it turns out, this win would have propelled them into the playoffs.
And then Rivers fumbled, the game went into OT, and the Chargers lost a game they would have won if Rivers simply held onto the pigskin.
What if:
Mark Sanchez would grow a pair . . .

And be the stud QB he thinks he is.
The AFC Wild Card race was a gigantic mess. But in the end, New York would be in if they beat the Giants and Dolphins the last two weeks. Last week, the Jets were driving down 16-10 late in the game when Sanchez threw a pick at the Dolphins 10 yard line. If they can score there, and hold on for a 17-16, they’re in.
Not exactly One Play Away, but still close.
What if:
The Cowboys Kicker was not susceptible to the cold. . .

Jason Garrett drew the scorn of Cowboys fans everywhere when he managed to ice his own kicker against the Cardinals. But one week later, it was Giants coach Tom Coughlin who iced the Cowboy’s Dan Bailey.
Bailey seemingly sent the game to OT and gave the Cowboys another chance to clinch the NFC East crown. But it turned out Coughlin had called a timeout, and he (of course) missed the next attempt.
What if:
Jay Cutler was not sooo fragile . . .

Cutler threw a pick with 10 minutes left in the Bears’ game against the Chargers. To his credit, he hustled back down field and nudged Antoine Cason out of bounds before he could score a TD.
To his discredit, he broke his thumb on the tackle and the Bears sunk like a rock.
What if:
And last but certainly not least. . .
Chaz Schilens did not fall down.

Chaz Schilens slipped and couldn’t catch a 3rd-and-two pass from Carson Palmer against the Lions. The Raiders pinned the Lions deep, but Stafford led them down the field for the heart-stopping 28-27 win.
If Oakland simply converts that 3rd-and-two, they’re in the playoffs, and Tebow’s out.
What if:
Everybody else who did not make the playoffs didn’t $ucked soo much to be considered for this list . . .