Imagine the football Gods summon you and let you choose the outcome for just your team for next season, and it can be anything except winning the superbowl (some fan of a team from the other conference already reserved the right to be the superbowl winner). This outcome will happen with 100% certainty, though they'll wipe your memory of the choice, so you'll watch the season oblivious of the outcome you chose.

What's the best scenario remaining?

I think losing the championship game in a very close game may be the best outcome (other than winning the superbowl).

Losing the superbowl in a close game just sucks, and I think getting blown out in a superbowl is even worse (though I was too young to really remember the pain of SB XX).

Not making the playoffs sucks, because then you don't get to nearly the same level of hype about playoff football.