Just two teams can make it to the -- and only one can win it all.This might seem self-evident, but each season will be judged, to some degree, as a "failure" by 31 of the 32 squads in the NFL, in that almost everyone becomes a loser at some point along the way. Of course, some losers tend to be in much better shape than others. As we get ready for , I thought I'd look at the 10 teams that have been eliminated from the playoffs and rank the five with the biggest windows to continue competing over the next several seasons. Such an undertaking is, of course, something of a crapshoot -- for example, I'm sure most would have joined me a year ago in predicting big things in 2014 for the , who ultimately stumbled to a 7-9 finish. But I did use a system, which took into account record, yardage totals, point differential, turnover differential, sack differential and first-down totals, to help me put this list together.The five teams listed below might be smarting from early playoff exits, but they and their fans should take heart in the fact that they're primed to be players on the postseason stage for years to come. Here, ranked according to the relative size of their competitive windows, are those teams:1) Green Bay PackersThe ' advantage begins with , the top quarterback and best player in the NFL. The 31-year-old -- who is under contract through 2019 -- is playing about as well as anyone can play the position right now, and he should be in his prime for another six or seven years. He's sturdily built and, as evidenced by the way he played on e sentially one leg in the postseason, has plenty Ian Desmond Jersey of toughne s.Green Bay has a very good young offensive line -- though is set to hit free agency -- and a back on the rise in . The also boast an excellent receiving corps, led by . Bringing back free agent-to-be would be good, but the team does have enough talent to survive a defection by the versatile pa s-catcher. The ascendance of second-year pro at linebacker is a plus.The main question for this team is this: Can it overcome the trauma of the epic collapse in ? Talk of that ma sive lost opportunity -- of the many things that went wrong, of the controversial play calls -- will go on all offseason, and it might threaten to spill over into the 2015 campaign.2) Dallas Cowboys is 34 and coming off an campaign. But he also posted the NFL's best pa ser rating (113.2) and completion percentage (69.9). I would think Romo should be able to play at this level for another four or five years, especially with that stellar young line -- anchored by ers (24), (23) and (24) -- in front of him.The should have some salary-cap space available, and if owner Jerry Jones wants to open his wallet, he can retain both running back and receiver , who are set to hit free agency. That said, if Dallas has to choose to keep one of those two players, Bryant is the pick. Backup running back should be a capable starter if Murray leaves; Randle is not as strong as Murray, and he might not be quite as good a pa s-catcher, but he has a real quick burst and played well for stretches in 2014. It would be much more difficult to replace Bryant. is a strong No. 2, but I don't see him as a No. 1. Dallas' defense -- which outperformed expectations, allowing 60 fewer yards per game in 2014 than it did in 2013 -- has some good pieces, including promising youngsters , and . The fact that coordinator is huge. Retaining linebacker will be key. And, of course, linebacker , who mi sed all of 2014 with a torn ACL, should be healthy and ready to go.3) Pittsburgh Steelers's 11th season in the NFL might have been his best. The 32-year-old posted career highs in pa sing yards (4,952) and completion percentage (67.1) and tied a personal best in touchdown pa ses (32). Of course, he was helped greatly by the performance of outstanding running back and a potent receiving corps led by stud and phenomenal rookie . Also, don't overlook the job offensive line coach did boosting up that unit in his first season with Pittsburgh.Longtime defensive coordinator after the ' , but his replacement, former linebacker coach Keith Butler, actually joined the organization before LeBeau's most recent stint in Pittsburgh began, so it's not like the unit will have to adjust to a completely new voice. The need to start forcing turnovers with the same ferocity they once did. has improved greatly, but former first-round pick needs to step up; he hasn't really done anything in the past two years.Veteran safety , who has slowed down considerably, could be done in Pittsburgh, but the next generation of young talent is in place. Rookies and both played well and are loaded with potential. In fact, the likely will look back at the 2014 draft cla s as an exceptional group, with Shazier, Tuitt and Bryant all capable of become special players and perennial ers.4) Baltimore Ravens bounced back from a disappointing 2013 with a great 2014 campaign, thriving in 's offense, which suited the quarterback very well. Kubiak's gone, of course, having left , but I think will be able to keep things going strong for Flacco. Late owner Al Davis once told me Trestman was as smart as any a sistant coach the franchise ever had. The interesting factor with Flacco is that his base salary is set to rise sharply in 2016 as part of the he signed after winning XLVII.Veteran receiver will be 36 next season, but I don't know if he'll ever be too old; he's just so quick and competes so well. I think Baltimore will find a way to bring back -- who is set to hit free agency this offseason -- and it'll be to the ' benefit, as he seems to get a bit better every year. The team would also do well to hang on to , who surprised everyone with the fifth-best rushing total in the NFL (1,266), though I suspect Baltimore would be able to succe sfully slide another back in there should he leave. The offensive line -- led by the outstanding -- held strong this season despite being forced to lean on rookies and late in the year, which is a good sign. As for the ' defense, pa s rushers and should have several good years left. And, of course, they have top rookie at linebacker. This team just does such a good job drafting guys.5) Indianapolis ColtsThe ' season ended with a blowout lo s in , and they have a smattering of troublesome holes to fill. They also have the best young quarterback in the NFL. is sturdy, he's athletic, he's smart and he's hard-working. He's reminiscent of , except Luck is much more athletically mobile, able to move around without getting sacked. Sure, he had a night to forget in Foxborough (12 of 33, 126 yards, no scores, two picks), but he'll still be a top-notch signal-caller for the next 12 years or so, in my estimation.Indianapolis must boost its running game. , who cost the a first-round pick in a trade with the , has been a ma sive disappointment. Still, if he has played his last down in Indy -- something many speculate is the case -- that'll open up some additional salary-cap space. Tight ends and are very good, while and rookie , who I think has No. 1 potential, stand out at receiver. has become one of the NFL's best cornerbacks. Rookie pa s-rusher (6.5 sacks) surprised with his excellent play; he should be joined next season by veteran , who mi sed 2014 with a four-game suspension and torn Achilles.The and should put up a tougher fight in the AFC South in 2015, and Luck will need to keep playing at a high level for the to maintain their perch atop the division. Of course, he's just so good that I'd expect nothing le s.Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter __. Trevor Story Jersey