Want a single reason to feel good about neither the Atlanta Falcons nor Tennessee Titans qualifying for the postseason for the fourth time in the last 10 years?
Think of all that heating energy they'll save for the rest of us Southerners by not having to warm their huge training complexes during the coldest week in memory.
Otherwise, both the Titans and Falcons missing the playoffs after looking like possible Super Bowl contenders before the start of the season is about as frustrating as a frozen water pipe.
That's not to say the season is completely in the deep freeze for both organizations. While the Falcons can still feel good that they've finally put together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history following Sunday's win over Tampa Bay, the Titans must yet await owner Bud Adams' decision on coach Jeff Fisher.
The two have quietly butted heads before -- Pacman Jones, for instance -- but perhaps never before has Adams exercised the power of ownership more than he did this past October by basically forcing Fisher to bench quarterback Kerry Collins in favor of Vince Young.
When Young then guided the Titans to eight wins in their last 10 games after an 0-6 start, the owner suddenly looked like a genius, rather than merely a too proud Texan intent on playing the Houston native and Texas Longhorn alum over the aging veteran Collins.
Befitting a man wise enough to be the current dean of NFL coaches by directing the franchise the past 15 seasons, Fisher has handled the situation like a pro.
But many believe the event put a frost on their relationship that has yet to thaw and may still cost Fisher his job.
It shouldn't. Adams should take a calm and reasoned look at the Titans' six playoff appearances and one Super Bowl run over the past 11 years, appreciate the team's 8-2 finish this season and determine Fisher is still the man with the best plan.
Especially when marquee running back Chris Johnson -- who became only the sixth running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards in a single season (actually 2,006) with Sunday's 134-yard effort against Seattle -- so thrives under Fisher's watch.
Beyond that, first-year defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil's unit was much saltier at the end of the season than the beginning, which makes keeping Fisher at the helm all the more sensible.
Maybe these guys can return to the playoffs following the 2010 season and maybe they can't, but it would seem foolish for Adams to roll the dice now by making a coaching change.
As for who will emerge from this season's playoffs, I see the Green Bay Packers squaring off against the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl, the Pack finally besting Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC with Peyton Manning's Colts riding their domed field advantage to the AFC crown.
Once there I give it to the Colts, at least as long as their defense is healthy enough to pressure Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
But the dream matchup would pit Favre and the Vikings against Manning and the Colts, a couple of good ol' Southern boys lighting up the Miami sky. It's probably no more than a dream, but the mere thought of it can warm even the coldest of Southern nights.