How to win consistently in the National Football League?

It has been said that defense wins championships...ok, that may be true.  I think the Patriots last year with their suspect defense proved that they would be in trouble if anyone controlled their offense during the playoffs.  They did not have a dominant defense throughout the entire year.  They were propelled to their undefeated regular season with their NFL record-breaking offense.  So the Giants once again proved the old point that defense can and often times does propel a team to the championship.  But that is not what we are talking about here.  We simply are asking the question, "How does a franchise win consistently in the NFL?"

 I believe there is a easy answer to this question.  You need to get a position player with the word franchise in his job description:  FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK.  Ok, ok, I know that is easier said than done.  There are many teams this year who would be division winners or playoff teams if they just had that leader under center.  Minnesota, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and maybe Green Bay are four teams that would be looked at in a much higher light if they had franchise quarterbacks who were ready to lead right now.  Now, three of these teams may already have a future franchise quarterback on their roster.  Minnesota with Jackson, Baltimore with Flacco, and Green Bay with Rodgers are examples of three teams with young unproven QBs who are still earning their stripes.  Jackson has already been benched and Flacco is only starting because of the complete decimation of the Quarterbacks playing for Baltimore.  Tampa Bay is alot like Detroit in their quarterback situation.  They don't have a franchise quarterback, but they have a good quarterback who can win some games.

The early season success of the Buffalo Bills in 2008 can be widely contributed to two simple factors.  Number one:  Coach Dick Jauron declared Trent Edwards the starter.  This gave Trent the confidence to know he was the starter from day one.  Number two:  Trent Edwards has proved he is the real deal.  He is a franchise quarterback.  Too me it is pretty easy to tell.  He already this year has led his team to two impressive come from behind victories.  He has the team off to a 4-1 start for the first time in over a decade.  Time will tell as to how good Edwards will be in the NFL.  Time will tell if he will be a playoff winning, clutch, game winning drive type of quarterback.  I believe Edwards has the moxie to lead this young buffalo team towards a division title this year and perhaps deeper into the playoffs in the next few years.