Now it's easy to see why reporters, teams and helicopters all chased free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning last offseason. Landing Manning last March was the difference between playing or being unemployed this weekend.

Check out the teams that tried and failed and where they are today.

The Arizona Cardinals, who hosted a visit with Manning but could not sign him, fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Rod Graves.

The Philadelphia Eagles, who could not get so much as a visit with Manning despite their efforts, fired head coach Andy Reid.

The New York Jets, who also could not get so much as a visit with Manning despite their calls, fired general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who tried but failed to get an audience with Manning, fired head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli.

The Tennessee Titans, finalists for Manning before losing out on his services, fired chief operating officer and head of football operations Mike Reinfeldt.

The Miami Dolphins, who never advanced very far in their pursuit of Manning, didn't reach the postseason after drafting quarterback Ryan Tannehill with their first-round pick.

Had any one of those teams been the NFL Powerball winner of Manning's services, it would not be hard to imagine it playing this weekend rather than consulting with search firms or conducting job interviews. Any of these teams with Manning would have been transformed overnight, not unlike the Broncos.

Some teams could court Manning, fail to get him, and still advance, most notably San Francisco and Seattle. The 49ers sure seemed to be serious about landing Manning, even though head coach Jim Harbaugh insisted this could not be. Whatever the truth, San Francisco's defense and running game were so strong that the 49ers could withstand the loss of Manning, go away from Alex Smith and to Colin Kaepernick and still land the NFC's No. 2 seed.

Seattle actually sent its private plane to Denver unannounced to pick up Manning, though he refused to speak to the Seahawks, and they were turned away. That prompted Seattle to use a third-round pick on Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson.

So San Francisco had a superior supporting cast, Seattle landed Wilson, and those teams arrive in this weekend's Elite Eight along with Manning. But the suitors that tried and failed to land Manning struck out in March and then again all season. Their failure to land him will haunt them until they find another strong quarterback.

Sometimes the breathless coverage of a free agent can be as much of a waste as Washington's splurge on Albert Haynesworth. But other times, it is not. The pursuit of Manning turned out to be a big deal.

Just look at the results. Some of those who failed to land Manning are unemployed. The team that landed him is lined up to beat Baltimore and advance to the AFC Championship Game.

On to this week's 10 Spot:

When Peyton Manning signed with Denver, it broke a lot of hearts throughout the NFL. AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

1. Brady-Manning watch: Looming over this entire weekend is the possibility that football could get Tom Brady versus Manning one more time in the AFC Championship Game. But before then, each quarterback is on the verge of making more history this weekend. A Patriots win Sunday would be the 17th of Brady's postseason career, breaking the tie he's in with his boyhood idol, Joe Montana, for most by a starting quarterback in NFL history. And on Saturday, Manning will join Brett Favre as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to start in 12 different postseasons, a fact the Elias Sports Bureau confirmed.

Keep in mind there are some teams that just struggle against certain quarterbacks. Baltimore understands this as well as anyone. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has won 10 straight against the Cleveland Browns. But on the flip side, the Ravens have lost nine straight against Manning, including the playoffs. Manning has beaten Baltimore almost every which way. But Manning has done that to many teams, especially this season at home, where he has gone 7-1 -- losing only to Houston -- while throwing 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Manning hasn't just helped Denver beat opponents at home. It has obliterated them. In Denver this season, the Broncos' margin of victory has been 19.3 points per win. Baltimore has to overcome a lot Saturday -- otherwise it will be the end of the NFL career of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and maybe that of safety Ed Reed. These AFC games with their standout quarterbacks set up as an appetizer for what could be the main course next Sunday.