Over the course of the last five months, football fans have spent a lot of time watching as one of the best seasons in recent memory unfolded. Now, as we approach the offseason, it is time to look back on the season that was. So, here are the top 10 moments of the 2009 NFL regular season.

10. Cowboys win the East: After dropping their first two games in December, the Cowboys were 8-5 and all but out of the NFC East race. However, a shocking victory in New Orleans over the then undefeated Saints sparked the Cowboys on a three-game winning streak that won them the East, and drove them into the playoffs.

9. Rex Ryan's confusion: After week 15, Ryan, the coach of the New York Jets, said his team was mathematically eliminated from the postseason. Then, all of a sudden, the Jets beat the Colts and Bengals, and propel themselves to an AFC Championship run. The greatly outspoken Ryan, who remember had thought his team was out, later said they should be the favourite to win the Super Bowl.

8. Saints establish dominance: Coming into their week 12 matchup with the New England Patriots, the Saints were 10-0, and were very much up to the challenge of Tom Brady and the Pats. The Saints cruised to a 38-17 victory, proving that they were indeed an elite team in the NFL.

7. Tom Brady's return: After missing all but a few plays of the 2008 NFL season, Patriots QB Tom Brady made his much anticipated return in week one against the Buffalo Bills. Despite looking timid at times, Brady led the Pats to a come-from-behind victory.

6. Colts sat down: After a 14-0 start, and with the Jets and lowly Bills left on the slate, the Indianapolis Colts had a legitimate shot at a perfect season. However, with a 15-10 lead in the Jets game, Colts coach Jim Caldwell decided to pull his starting players out of the game. This led to a defeat, and the Colts players were not pleased.

5. Belichick's epic fail: Speaking of controversial calls by a head coach, how could we forget what the Patriots did? With a slim lead over the Colts, and facing a fourth and two at their own 29- yard line, the Patriots went for the first down. They failed, gave Manning a short field, and blew the game. This was probably the first actual mistake Belichick has ever made as a coach.

4. Lions end the streak: After 19 long games, the Detroit Lions finally got a victory. By defeating the Washington Redskins in week three, the Lions ended a brutal streak of losing. While they only won two games in 2009, it was a huge step up after becoming the only team in NFL history to go 0- 16 a year ago.

3. Johnson breaks 2000: Chris Johnson knew he could do it. He set his goal for the 2009 season to break the 2000 yard mark on the ground. He did, but just barely. Johnson cracked the barrier in week 17 against the Seahawks, and became only the sixth running back in history to do so.

2. Favre's magic returns: During week three in Minnesota, Brett Favre proved he still had it. On fourth down from the 32 yard line with no time left, Favre uncorked an absolute laser to the back of the end zone. The pass was caught by reserve Greg Lewis, who made the circus catch and gave the Vikings a come from behind win over the 49ers.

1. Stafford sucks it up: With one play left from the one yard line against the Cleveland Browns, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford played through an injured left shoulder, and threw the game winning touchdown pass to rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew. It was Stafford's fifth touchdown pass of the game, and showed he had the heart and courage to be an elite NFL player.

Next week, I will take a look at the state of the NFL, and how the 2010 season could be drastically different for some teams.

For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com