Armed with legs.(quarterbacks in 2001 football playoffs)

TSN's PLAYOFF PREVIEW: In a postseason that premises to be a scramble to the finish, expect mobile quarterbacks--who, as a group, dominated the regular season with their ability to improvise--to be Ute difference

They have young legs, strong legs, legs formed by nature and hardened by hours of lifting iron and steel. At a position where the arm still receives the most attention, these legs will determine the winner of the Super Bowl. Count on it.

This is the Year of the Legs at quarterback, and the playoffs will emphasize that point even more dramatically. In a league without a dominant team; in a league where the defending champions were out, then--shockingly--back in because of a from the Bears; in a league where a roller coaster should be the prevailing logo; in a league where the Giants--the Giants!--hold home-field advantage in the NFC; in a league where no one with a sane mind could have predicted that the Saints and the Eagles both still would be playing and that the Redskins would be finished; in a league where there still is room for Trent Dilfer to lead a playoff team, most of the games over the next month will hinge on a play or two--and those legs will be the difference.

Tell me which is the best team in the NFC. Tampa Bay? Weren't the Bucs struggling at 3-4 not so long ago? The Vikings? Can a defense that bad journey to a Super Bowl? The Rams? Can a second title be won with a defense that's even worse than Minnesota's? The Saints? With a starting quarterback (Aaron Brooks) whose resume is limited to five starts?

And the AFC? The Titans appear to be the strongest team, but does anyone really fear them? Are they really that much superior to the Raiders, especially if the Oakland defense can play like it did against the Jets in Week 157 Can anyone move the ball effectively against the fearsome Ravens? And who would be crazy enough not to fear the quickly improving Colts or any team coached by Mike Shanahan?

"I don't think anybody is making reservations for Tampa right now, not even Tampa," says Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' vice president of player personnel. "This is what the NFL wants. It is wide open."

And refreshing. Newsome's Ravens are making their first playoffs trip. The Saints' last postseason appearance was in 1992. The Eagles were 3-13 two years ago and 5-11 last season. The Broncos were 6-10 in 1999. Even the mean old Raiders haven't lived up to their playoffs legacy since 1993.