NFL Playoff Picture: One Player Each Team Can't Live Without

Football is possibly more of a team sport than any other major sport out there.

You have a running back that has 4.4 speed and can bench press a few hundred pounds? He still needs an offensive line that can open up holes for him against the front seven.

You have a quarterback that has a rocket arm, uncanny accuracy and precise decision making? You still need a receiver competent enough to get open and catch passes in order to make the play happen.

Although wins/losses and statistics are largely team-based in football, there are certain players who are simply irreplaceable.

If these players were to get injured, these teams would take on a drastically different look. A different look that would likely result in losses.

We've already seen how the Chicago Bears fared without Jay Cutler. That is an example of how big of a difference one player can make on a contending football team.

Of the 12 teams currently slotted in the playoffs, who is every teams' Jay Cutler? Who is that one player that every team just cannot live without?

New England Patriots: Tom Brady

I'll start out with the most obvious one, and that's Tom Brady.

The Patriots have the definition of a bend-but-don't-break defense. They rank last, or near the bottom of the league in a lot of defensive yardage categories.

However, they are second in the league in interceptions forced and they rank a respectable, but not great, 15th in the league at points allowed per game.

The running game stinks. It ranks 20th in rushing yards and 24th in yards per attempt.

Let's just say it right now, more than ever, this team is a Tom Brady team. Literally.

This Patriots franchise has taken on many different looks since they first won the Super Bowl in 2001. There was the era of the dynasty where there were many pieces that went into the championships. Stifling defense, an unimpressive, but solid running game that would eat up the clock and of course the consistent play of Brady himself.

Even when the Pats went to the Super Bowl in 2007, after transforming their offensive attack from a balanced and methodical approach into an all-out spread offensive attack heavily reliant upon the talents of Brady's arm, the Pats still had one of the league's best defenses.

Well, it's 2011, and the running game and the defense now leave more to be desired.

That's the reason why Brady is irreplaceable for the Pats.

Denver Broncos: Von Miller

This is one of the few selections where you'll see a defensive player named.

The Broncos' offense is terrible. It honestly might be the worst in the league as far as converting third downs are concerned and they frequently have trouble for long stretches of time gaining first downs.

The defense isn't great. They do get torn to shreds by great quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

However, against mediocre quarterbacks and offenses, this defense has the ability to dominate and single-handedly keep the offense in the game.

Case in point? Just watch the Kansas City game last night.

Miller slowed down as the season came to a close as he was nursing an injury. He missed one pivotal game which was against the Minnesota Vikings.

To show Miller's impact on this defense, let me just post rookie Christian Ponder's stats from that game.

Ponder - 29/47, 62% completion rate, 381 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 inteceptions, 90.8 rating

For the season, Ponder had a 54% completion rate and a rating that hovered just over 70.

The Broncos allowed 32 points on that day. During their winning stretch, in which they won six games with Miller, the Broncos allowed just 14.1 points per game.

It remains to be seen whether Miller will still win Defensive Rookie of the Year, but his value to the Broncos cannot be questioned.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger

Can the Steelers win without Big Ben?

Sure. Just look at the beginning of the 2010 season when the Steelers went 3-1 during Ben's four-game suspension.

But, can the Steelers win the 'big one' without Big Ben?

No.

As much criticism as Ben receives from people, whether that be because of the rape allegations, whether that be because people see him as a 'system QB', whether it's because people simply don't like him because of his winning pedigree, Roethlisberger is the guy who puts the Steelers over the top.

At 6 foot 5 and weighing over 240 pounds, Ben is nearly impossible to sack. Even as a big guy, his mobility and ability to prolong a play may be second-to-none.

However, over the last few weeks, Ben has struggled with a high ankle sprain. During this injury stretch, Ben has struggled in two games against the Browns and in a loss vs. the Niners which saw him throw three interceptions and struggle to throw the ball while pushing off of his injured ankle.

Rashard Mendenhall is likely out for the first playoff against the Broncos, as sources close to the Steelers fear he may have torn his ACL.

The Steelers might be fine against the mediocre Broncos while they're banged up, but against the likes of the Patriots and Ravens?

The Steelers better hope Roethlisberger can heal before that point in time.

Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green

The Bengals are one of the least flashiest teams in all of the playoffs. Especially on the AFC side.

You have the Patriots who have Brady/Bill Belichick and their history of winning. You have the Steelers with Roethlisberger and their history of winning. You have the Ravens who have a plethora of playmakers loaded on both sides of the field in Ray Rice, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. You have the Texans with Arian Foster and young guys such as JJ Watt. Then you have the Broncos with 'Tebow-Mania'.

The Bengals have AJ Green.

When you look at the Bengals, nothing really impresses you.

However, this team is as good as they are because of magnificent coaching by Marvin Lewis, an offense designed to eat up clock and limit mistakes from their rookie QB in Andy Dalton and a defense that won't intimidate anybody, but still ranks in the top 10 in points per game.

Oh yeah and a physical freak by the name of AJ Green.

Green was the fourth overall pick in the draft, and the question entering and leaving the draft was, who would turn out better, Julio Jones or Green?

Jones has had flashes of greatness, but Green has been more consistent. Hell, Green is going to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.

Outside of Green, the Bengals have a mediocre set of receivers. Jerome Simpsons is their second-best receiver and he's more than 300 yards behind him.

AJ is the only true playmaker on this offense. Jermaine Gresham, Andre Caldwell and Simpson are all guys that are possession receivers.

Green is the home run guy.

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice

Who was the main catalyst behind the Ravens' first round bye-clinching victory over the Bengals on Sunday?

None other than Ray Rice.  After running for 191 yards and two touchdowns that went for at least 50 yards, the Ravens were finally able to put away their resilient division rivals.

The Ravens are a very experienced team in the postseason, having made it every season since the drafting of Joe Flacco in 2008.

Yet, there has always been somebody better than them in the AFC.

Since 2008, the Ravens have gone on the road to play in all seven of their postseason games. The reason I bring this up, is because it coincides with the drafting of Flacco.

Flacco is a decent quarterback, who does have his moments. Remember the game-winning touchdown pass on Sunday Night Football vs. the Steelers for Baltimore's sweep of Pittsburgh in 2011?

However, Flacco is a very inconsistent quarterback. One week he looks like he's ready to make the step towards behind an elite quarterback and the next, he looks like he shouldn't even be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

In Flacco's seven postseason starts, he has thrown for four touchdowns, seven interceptions, has a 53% completion rate and his quarterback rating is barely over 61.

This is the reason why the Ravens cannot afford to lose Ray Rice.  In 2011, there weren't many backs that played better than Rice.

Rice's role on the Ravens is huge. Baltimore does not have a great offense and it's not like they can score on opponents at will. They are not the Patriots, Saints or Packers.

Rice provides Flacco with the necessary safety cushion that he needs in order to manage the games just enough for the Ravens to win.

If Rice did not play for the Ravens, let's just say they would likely be on the road again on Wild Card Weekend.

Houston Texans: Arian Foster/Ben Tate

I can't put just one of them, because they both have just about equally contributed to the Texans' first playoff berth.

Foster was battered and bruised entering the season and Tate didn't miss a beat for the Texans. Tate gained over 100 yards in his first two games in the NFL, and has four 100-yard games on the season despite splitting carries with Foster.

Arian gained over 1,200 yards in 2011, while Tate nearly gained 1,000.

These two backs are the only hope that this offense has of moving the football in the postseason. With the season ending injury of Matt Schaub and TJ Yates now banged up on his throwing shoulder, the Texans are more dependent than ever upon the running abilities of their two-headed attack.

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees

Three quarterbacks passed over 5,000 yards this season. Brees was not only one of them, he obliterated the previous mark of 5,084 yards. He passed for nearly 5,500 yards in 2011. That is the definition of being valuable.

In leading the Saints to record-breaking numbers, which included offensive yardage and first downs in a single season, Brees was yet again, the main catalyst for their success.

Is that really a shock?

In a league which is heavily reliant upon the air attack due to the numerous rules changes that have made it easier for offenses to move the ball, Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are perhaps the most valuable players in the league.

The Saints don't have a great rushing attack, their defense is solid, but unspectacular, and unlike the Patriots and Packers, their defense can't force turnovers if their lives depended upon it. The Saints ranked 19th in takeaway/giveaway differential and they ranked 28th in interceptions forced.

You want value to a franchise?

Look no further than Drew Brees.

New York Giants: Eli Manning

Is there even a question about this one?

Manning broke the record for fourth quarter touchdown passes in a single season last night in the Giants' 31-14 division-clinching victory over their hated rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

He has led several fourth quarter comebacks and has the second-highest quarterback rating in the fourth quarter behind only Aaron Rodgers.

New York ranks last in rushing. Yes, dead last. They are not only last in rushing yards, they are last in yards per attempt. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs have been non-factors all season long.

The defense ranks 25th in the NFL, allowing 25.0 points per game. Yes, the Giants' defense is worse than the Patriots, Packers and Saints.

Yet, they're going to the playoffs as NFC East Champions.

Any argument as to how the Giants could survive without their Manning?

San Francisco 49ers: Frank Gore

Gore is on a team that lacks offensive firepower and relies heavily upon it's defense and taking care of the football, in order to win football games.

The Niners ranked 29th in passing on the season and 24th in passing touchdowns. Alex Smith has been arguably the best quarterback a taking care of the football this season, but make no mistake about it, Smith is not even Pro Bowl-worthy.

San Francisco ranks first in the NFL in takeaway/giveaway differential and in a league that has become passing-oriented, Gore remains the focal point of the Niners.

Gore ran for 1,211 yards on the season, ranking fifth in the NFL in carries and ninth in total touches.

The Niners' main ingredient for sucess is their second-rated defense, but from an individual player standpoint, the only Niner even worth mentioning in the same category as Gore is Patrick Willis.

Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson

Matthew Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards in 2011, becoming just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to do so.

A major reason for why he was able to accomplish such a feat?

Calvin Johnson.

Perhaps the most physically gifted receiver in all of the NFL, CJ may have cemented his place as the NFL's best receiver.

After breaking the record for most touchdown receptions in a five game span, Johnson would finish the season catching 93 passes for 1681 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The next best receiver was tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who had 777 yards receiving and five touchdowns.

Without CJ, there likely is no passing attack.

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers

Yeah, I know Matt Flynn had possibly the best performance stats-wise of any Packers quarterback in franchise history with his six touchdown, 480 yard performance vs. Detroit on Sunday, but Rodgers is still the most valuable player on the Packers.

On a team with a below average defense, ranking 31st in total yards allowed, along with a below average rushing attack, Rodgers led the Packers to a 14-1 record in his 15 starts.

In perhaps the greatest regular season by a quarterback in NFL history, Rodgers completely annihilated his competition.

The Packers are the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl. That simply wouldn't be the case without Rodgers.

Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan

As much criticism as Ryan gets for not being Peyton Manning, there is no doubt he is a franchise quarterback.

Since he was drafted in 2008, the Falcons have made it to the playoffs in three of his four seasons starting, including clinching the No. 1 seed in 2010.

Ryan had yet another solid season, throwing for 4,100 yards and 29 touchdowns to go along with 13 interceptions. His 13 interceptions were the eighth-best mark in the league.

The Falcons have a ball-control offense that relies upon the rushing of Michael Turner, to go along with the possession receiving abilities of Roddy White.

Ryan is one of the better quarterbacks in the league at the presnap read, frequently catching defenses off balance with audibles.

Ryan may never be Peyton Manning, but that doesn't mean he's not a good quarterback.