NFL Playoffs 2012: Drew Brees and More Wild Card Weekend Wonders

Now that the NFL regular season is over, fans will be treated to many star performances during the first weekend of playoff action. 

Known as Wild Card Weekend, AFC and NFC teams ranked No. 3-6 hit the field this Saturday and Sunday, hoping to advance to the next round. Seeds No. 1 and No. 2 get a first-round bye, which gives them much needed rest. 

Sometimes it could backfire, though, simply because those playing in the wild-card games have a chance to get hot and stay hot. 

With that said, here are three players sure to shine this Wild Card Weekend. 

Drew Brees, QB 

The New Orleans Saints host the Detroit Lions this Saturday, and it's going to be a high-scoring affair thanks to dynamic offenses. 

Both teams excel at passing the ball, but Brees will be the one standing out. He's been on fire all season long, breaking the record for most passing yards in a single season. 

There's no way Brees is slowing down, especially against a Lions defense that gave up 31 points to the Saints in Week 13. 

Brees threw three touchdowns in that game and continued his streak of passing for more than 300 yards per game. That has yet to come to an end, and it will stay alive for another week as Brees and the Saints cruise to victory. 

A.J. Green, WR 

The rookie sensation for the Cincinnati Bengals excels in the big moments, and he will not disappoint against the Houston Texans this Saturday. 

Green has been banged up toward the end of the season, but he did have some success against the Texans the first time they played this season, catching five passes for 59 yards. 

As an exceptional deep threat, Green is going to thrive against a Houston team that's on the decline. Sure, the Texans have a solid defense, but Green will do what he does best, which is playing at a high level in pressure situations. 

All Andy Dalton has to do is throw it up, and Green will bring it down to help the Bengals get their first playoff win in more than two decades. 

Matt Ryan, QB 

The Atlanta Falcons are angry, and opposing teams need to beware. Matt Ryan and his explosive offense will step up and give the New York Giants a very tough time this Sunday afternoon. 

New York's passing defense ranks 29th in the NFL, but they've had it easy the last couple of weeks in terms of playing against good quarterbacks. 

Ryan and company are on a mission, and the Giants will struggle to slow the Falcons QB down. He's never won a playoff game, but this being his third postseason game, Ryan will not falter.  

He's completing 65 percent or higher in his last three games, and he won't have much trouble finding Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez against the Giants weak secondary.