5 hypothetical scenarios that could have altered NFL as we know it

The NFL is a fragile ecosystem where a singular move can alter the trajectory of many teams for years to come.

Over the past decade, many decisions changed the course of the league, in essence forming a domino effect.

As a result, we examine five hypothetical scenarios that nearly altered the NFL as we know it:

What if the Seahawks gave the ball to Lynch in Super Bowl XLIX?

Trailing 28-24 with the ball at the one-yard line, all the Seattle Seahawks needed to do was hand it off to Marshawn Lynch in order to ensure their second consecutive Super Bowl victory. But instead, with 26 seconds remaining, Russell Wilson threw a pass that was picked off by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, sealing the win for his team and spurring an irrevocable course of action.

If the Seahawks scored the game-winning touchdown, Wilson, Lynch, and the team's vaunted defense cement their historical status. Darrelle Revis, who signed with the Jets last summer, would be more likely to remain with the Patriots, in search of an elusive Super Bowl ring. Moreover, Butler, who was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015, would be fighting for a spot in the Patriots' rotation.

Lynch, who retired in February, would've likely hung up his cleats a year earlier if he were coming off another Super Bowl win, and it's possible that we never see the emergence of Thomas Rawls as a result.

What if Brees accepted the Dolphins offer in 2006?

It's hard to imagine Drew Brees not in a New Orleans Saints uniform, but the veteran quarterback fielded plenty of offers during the spring of 2006. As a member of the San Diego Chargers, Brees tore his labrum in the last game of the season, prompting concern from the organization.

Brees was presented with a five-year, $50-million extension that was primarily based off incentive-laden bonuses, an offer that he balked at. The race for Brees' services came down to the Saints and the Miami Dolphins, and it was eminently possible for him to land on South Beach. However, Dolphins doctors infamously suggested that Brees' injury was too much of a risk, and he signed a six-year, $60-million deal with the Saints. Since then, Brees has led the NFL in passing six times and the Saints to their lone Super Bowl victory.

If he signed with the Dolphins, the Saints never actualize their potential and don't come close to winning the Super Bowl in 2009. With Brees in tow, the Dolphins wouldn't undergo seasons where Cleo Lemon, Chad Pennington, and Matt Moore get the majority of starts. Furthermore, the AFC East wouldn't be the Patriots' exclusive domain for the past decade, a development that alone, could've altered NFL playoff history as we know it.

What if the Panthers fired Rivera before he became Riverboat Ron?

Ron Rivera is now revered as one of the NFL's best coaches but he was on the hot seat before changing his risk-management philosophy. Holding a 13-19 record through his first two seasons, Rivera was on the verge of being fired before changing his approach.

The Panthers sputtered to a 1-3 start in 2013 and many called for Rivera's dismissal, before he instructed his team to convert on fourth downs, as opposed to punting or settling for a field goal. Carolina rattled off a 12-4 record, and the Panthers have been to three consecutive playoffs, culminating in a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015.

Had Rivera not changed his philosophy, he would've been fired - possibly during the 2013 season - and the team's growth on both sides of the ball likely wouldn't have been facilitated by his replacement. Although it seems wildly speculative to bet against Cam Newton, it's hard to see him ascend to MVP status without Rivera's tutelage and continuity with the rest of the group.

If Rivera was fired, the Saints and Falcons would be duking it out for NFC South supremacy and the division becomes the worst in all of football. Culturally, Newton's career wouldn't be viewed as a referendum on tradition and decorum, while Brees would've kept the Saints dominance afoot.

What if 49ers complete comeback vs. Ravens in SB48?

Colin Kaepernick appeared to be the face of an emerging dynasty after leading the San Francisco 49ers into Super Bowl XLVIII. Kaepernick's since been relegated to the bench, an unfathomable proposition in 2012.

The 49ers were trailing 21-6 at halftime but after Beyonce performed at the break, a power outage caused a 34-minute delay and the 49ers began to rally. Kaepernick propelled a valiant comeback, culminating in one of the greatest goal-line stands in NFL history. The Ravens had a 34-29 lead with 1:46 remaining but Kaepernick's fourth-and-goal attempt to Michael Crabtree was expertly defended, ruining the comeback.

Kaepernick's confidence eroded two years later, a scenario that almost certainly doesn't happen if the 49ers won in 2012. The 49ers crumbled into mediocrity after the quarterback's game suddenly declined, and a number of veterans such as Anthony Davis, Patrick Willis, and Frank Gore left the team.

The NFL would've faced massive scrutiny if the 49ers won after the power outage, and dodged a long-term public relations nightmare. For the 49ers, a potential dynasty vanished into thin air, an outcome no one could've foreseen.

What if the Colts selected RG3 over Luck?

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III went first and second overall respectively in the 2012 NFL Draft, lauded as two of the best quarterbacks in recent memory. Four years later and only Luck fits that billing now.

Griffin captured Offensive Rookie of the Year honors during his first season with the Washington Redskins, but rapidly declined in his following three seasons. Luck, conversely, has displayed MVP potential but his 2015 season was cut short by myriad injuries.

If the Colts drafted Griffin, the entire history of the AFC South circa 2012 would need to be rewritten as Luck elevated the club to the divisional title for three consecutive years. With Griffin in his place instead, the Colts sport arguably the worst roster in football and would've been in line for a number of top draft picks.

Luck would've emerged as a superstar for the Redskins, extending DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed's prime years. Although injuries are unpredictable, Luck would be upright more often with Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams in protection. The Texans, Titans, and Jaguars all certainly wish Luck headed to the nation's capital.