NFL Playoffs 2012: Players Whose Legacies Will Be Altered in Postseason

More than any other sport in this country, the NFL playoffs will forever determine the way that a player is remembered. Not everyone is concerned with their legacy, but we love to debate about who was better and why. 

The reason that Joe Montana is widely considered to be a better quarterback than Dan Marino, even though Marino bests him in every major statistical category, is because Montana won four Super Bowls and Marino failed to get one. 

This year, there are a smorgasbord of established players and new faces that will have their legacy forever changed due to the postseason. Here are a few names to keep in mind over the next five weeks.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

After winning his third Super Bowl in four seasons back in 2004, Brady could do no wrong. He was the next Montana because of his poise under immense pressure.

But seven years and three straight playoff losses have taken a lot of the shine off the Patriots quarterback. Another early loss, which is entirely possible considering how bad the defense is, will have people talking about how overrated he has become.

It's an unfair and unjust assessment, but we are a "what have you done for me lately?" society, and Brady isn't winning the big games a lot lately.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Johnson is widely regarded as the best receiver in the NFL today. Now, he will get his chance to prove to the world exactly why that is the case.

Taking on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints would be a daunting task that most players would be overwhelmed by. But Johnson isn't most players.

Even if his playoff debut only lasts the one game, he will take that leap from just being the best in the game today to one of the greatest in the history of the sport. He has the physical tools to be that, but he needs the stage to prove it. 

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

Everything came together for Manning when the Giants made their Super Bowl run four years ago, but since then he has had his share of problems. In fact, he is one of the most difficult quarterbacks to get a read on. 

There are times when he looks like an elite player who can keep up with anyone. But at other times, he looks like he has no business being a starting quarterback in the NFL. 

This postseason, we are going to see Bad Eli show up. I know that the Falcons' secondary is not the strongest unit, but this is exactly the kind of game where Manning just folds like a cheap tent. 

His legacy will forever be a quarterback who had one great run but could never duplicate it again after this year's game. 

Tim Tebow, QB, Denver Broncos

Fair or unfair, Tebow is going to be the goat when the Broncos lose to the Steelers this week. It is one of the drawbacks of playing the quarterback position in the NFL. 

No one knows exactly what Tebow's legacy is going to be, because he is only in his second year. But the first chance that people get to throw him under the bus as a terrible postseason player, you better believe they are going to take it. 

The Broncos aren't ready to be a playoff team, but now that they are, they have to deal with the criticism and backlash that comes with it. 

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