NFL Playoff Predictions: 5 Studs Who Will Shine in the Playoffs

With only one more week remaining in the 2011 regular season there is still a bit of jockeying for position to be done, and a couple spots are left to be decided (including a winner-take-all tilt between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants Sunday night), but we're one short week away from the beginning of the NFL playoffs.

In the playoffs it will fall upon the shoulders of several NFL superstars to step up their games to a new level, taking their teams on their shoulders in an effort to lead their squads to a date February 5th in Indianapolis.

Here's a look at a handful of players capable of doing just that, of coming up biggest when it matters the most.

And no, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn't listed here. Saying he'll shine in the playoffs is the equivalent of saying the sun will.

I'm guessing that happens.

Calvin Johnson: Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has enjoyed by far his finest season in the NFL in his fifth year in the league, setting career highs in receptions, yardage, touchdowns and yards per catch.

However, if the Lions are going to win their first playoff game in over 20 years Johnson will need to play less like the player who the New Orleans Saints limited to six catches for 69 yards in Week 13 and more like the force that torched the Dallas Cowboys for 96 yards and two scores in Week 4.

Time for "Megatron" to transform into a can of you-know-what.

NaVorro Bowman: Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman exploded into NFL prominence this season, leading the San Francisco 49ers with 133 tackles and playing every bit as well as perennial All-Pro batterymate Patrick Willis.

The hamstring injury that has plagued Willis over the past month is reportedly nearly fully healed, but regardless of that fact, the Niners will need Bowman to continue to help anchor a defense that ranked first in the National Football League in both run defense and scoring defense.

Given how well the former Penn State standout has played this year, there's no reason to think he'll do anything less.

Arian Foster: Running Back, Houston Texans

Despite a slew of injuries that have beset the team all season, including the loss of their top two quarterbacks, the Houston Texans have enjoyed their finest season in franchise history, winning the AFC South and advancing to the postseason for the first time.

If the Texans are going to continue their improbable run and notch their first playoff victory they'll need to ride the ground game to do it, and as star running back Arian Foster has shown many times in the past (including three 30-plus carry games this season) he's more than capable of shouldering a heavy workload.

Drew Brees: Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

You could say quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints has struggled through a mediocre 2011 campaign, if by struggled you mean tossing 41 touchdown passes and by mediocre you mean breaking Dan Marino's record for passing yardage in a season.

As Drew Brees goes so go the Saints, and given how well the 11th year veteran is playing this season the Saints will be going pretty far.

Rob Gronkowski: Tight End, New England Patriots

Rob Gronkowski has jack-stomped his way through the National Football League in 2011, topping 80 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards and hauling in 15 touchdowns, the most ever in a season by a tight end.

However, Gronk does not shine. Gronk rumbles, Gronk pummels, Gronk spikes and Gronk scores, but Gronk does not shine.

He allows the sun to...but only for half the time. Then Gronkness descends.