The 2011 NFL Playoffs will kick off on Saturday, Jan. 8. Twelve of the top teams will battle for a chance to reach the Super Bowl in Dallas. Here are the top storylines of the playoffs. –amir shaw
1) Michael Vick Can Cement His Comeback with a Super Bowl Victory – Hollywood screenwriters will be paying close attention to Michael Vick’s playoff run. If he wins a Super Bowl after serving 18 months in prison, his comeback story will be suited for the big screen.
2) Mike Tomlin Could Win a Second Super Bowl Ring Before He Turns 40 – Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers made history by winning a Super Bowl ring in 2008 at the age of 36. He can add to his legacy by winning two Super Bowls before the age of 40.
3) Lovie Smith or Jim Caldwell Could Become the Third Black Coach to Win a Super Bowl – Lovie Smith and his Chicago Bears were defeated in Super Bowl 44 by Tony Dungy and the Indianapolis Colts. Jim Caldwell, who is currently the head coach for the Colts, served as an assistant in that game. Both coaches have an opportunity to become just the third black head coach to win a Super Bowl.
4) New Orleans Saints Seeks to Repeat as Champions – With New Orleans struggling to repair itself after Hurricane Katrina, the Saints lifted the morality of the city by winning the 2010 Super Bowl. After the Gulf Coast dealt with the BP oil spill, the team can provide more pride for Big Easy residents by repeating as Super Bowl champs.
5) Randy Moss’ Regrets – At the start of the 2010 NFL season, Randy Moss was upset because the New England Patriots had not given him a contract extension. The team eventually cut him and Moss signed with the Vikings and then the Titans. With the Titans eliminated from the playoffs and the Patriots in contention for another trip to the Super Bowl, Moss could be dealing with serious regrets in the upcoming weeks.
