NFL Playoff Predictions: Stars That Will Fade in the Spotlight

The NFL regular season is over, and the playoffs will not disappoint, unless, of course you're a fan of teams that are certain to fail. 

It happens every year. A big name player is non-existent when his team needs him most in the postseason, and that team goes home empty handed. 

It's an unfortunate event, but it's going to happen. Star players earn the big bucks to play well in big moments, but too often they fail to show up. 

With that said, here are five players certain to flop in the playoffs. 

Arian Foster, RB

The last time the Texans won a game, it was against their upcoming playoff opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals. 

It was a great comeback victory by Houston, but Foster was not a force in the game. He carried the ball 15 times, but only rushed for a total of 41 yards. 

The Bengals will key in on Foster and shut him down once again, and this time around they'll be the ones walking away victorious. 

Tim Tebow, QB

Tim Tebow did great things when he took over the starting role for the Denver Broncos, helping them win their first AFC West title since 2005. 

Unfortunately, he's lost the last three games. His passing completion percentage has decreased with each game, and now he and the Broncos have to battle the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Sure, the Steelers are banged up, but their defense is too talented to allow Tebow to play well, and he is going to be a disaster in the postseason. 

This will add further fuel to the fire as to whether or not Tebow should be the guy in Denver. 

Eli Manning, QB

Oh, Eli. His ups and downs all season long have frustrated tons of Giants fans, but he saved himself by winning the NFC East. 

However, this postseason he will go right back to causing so much anger in New York. It may not be done in the statistical category, as he'll be up against subpar defenses. 

What will happen, though, is an awful pass for a costly interception, allowing the opposing team to win the game. Manning will shoot himself in the foot, ruining everything for the Giants. 

Frank Gore, RB

Frank Gore and the rest of the San Francisco 49ers are going to flop. They don't have the playoff experience needed to succeed, and it will devastate them. 

The first-round bye will actually hurt the 49ers because they've been on a tear. Extra rest is nice, but the 49ers don't need a time cool off, if you will. 

Gore has had a good year, but on the big stage, the pressure will be too much for him and the rest of the 49ers to handle. 

Joe Flacco, QB

Joe Flacco is all too familiar with choking in the postseason. As the No. 2 seed, the Ravens will get the chance to host a playoff game for a change, which will help. 

However, there will come a time this postseason when Flacco is called upon to deliver in the clutch. Unfortunately for Ravens fans, his clutch gene doesn't follow him in the playoffs, which is why the Ravens are doomed. 

The defense will keep them strong, but in the end, the performance of Flacco will matter most, and he'll let down all of Baltimore.