NFL Playoff Predictions: Which Defensive Players Will Dominate Postseason?

While offense has gotten a ton of ink this year with quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady having phenomenal seasons, we all know defense wins championships. As we near the postseason and can now reflect on some of the fantastic defensive performances this year, it is time to figure out which defenders will step up and own the spotlight in the playoffs.

Here is my list of three defenders who I think will dominate the NFL's postseason.

Terrell Suggs

Terrell Suggs is arguably the MVP of the Baltimore Ravens this season. The 29-year-old outside linebacker has had a phenomenal season and could be the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year.

Through 15 games, Suggs has 13.0 sacks, five passes defended, two interceptions and an NFL-best six forced fumbles. Aside from that he has also led a Baltimore defense that ranks third in the league in yards allowed (285.7 per game).

Suggs has been an absolute terror from the edge this season and his career-best 13 sacks attest to that. The fact that he managed to keep the Ravens afloat while leader and middle linebacker Ray Lewis missed four games (Baltimore went 4-0 in that stretch) is remarkable.

Expect Suggs to take his game to another level in the postseason, where the Ravens have their eyes set on an AFC title.

Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis may be the best player the average person has never heard of. To even minor football fans though, the San Francisco 49ers' middle linebacker is one of the best the NFL has to offer. 

Despite only playing in 12 games this season, Willis has racked up 93 tackles, two sacks, four forced fumbles (two recovered), one interception and 12 passes broken up. 

While Willis has been out with a hamstring injury since December 4th, he did practice last week before being ruled inactive against the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers are being cautious with him, but we should all expect him close to full speed for the playoffs. 

When he is operating near 100 percent, Willis is an absolute terror on the field. He controls every aspect of San Francisco's defense and has been a key in leading the 49ers to having the top rushing defense in the league (allowing just 75.1 yards per game).

I personally can't wait to see what he can do when playing meaningful games in January, especially against high-quality competition.

Cliff Avril

While the Detroit Lions have bigger stars along the defensive front, defensive end Cliff Avril has had the best season of all of them. Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Nick Fairley may get more ink, but all Avril has done this season is produce and in the playoffs he may be Detroit's most valuable lineman.

Through 15 games the 25-year-old Purdue product has racked up 36 tackles, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles (three recovered), an interception, four passes broken up and scored a touchdown. That's a fantastic season for anyone, let alone the fourth biggest name on a defensive line.

Avril has quietly gone about his business and developed into a relentless pass rusher this season. Based on his size and burst off the edge, he reminds me of a young Dwight Freeney. While he is two inches taller than the Colts' seven-time Pro Bowler, they have similar builds and styles. 

As the Lions hit the postseason for the first time since 1999 with so much attention being focused on other guys along that defensive front, I expect Avril to run wild.