NFL Playoff Picture: 4 Players That Will Single-Handedly Win Wild-Card Games

There is no bigger stage in football than the NFL playoffs. This is the time when individuals rise above the pressure of the moment, and perform above and beyond what anyone else is capable of when everything is on the line.

Looking at the four games on the slate for Wild Card Weekend, there are four players that jump out to me who will shine when the spotlight is on them and single-handedly win the game for their team.

A.J. Green

A.J. Green has been limited by a shoulder injury the last couple of weeks, but I expect the young phenom to be ready to put his body on the line in the upcoming game against the Houston Texans.

Defense will be dominant for both clubs, as the Cincinnati Bengals and the Texans are two of the best five defenses in the NFL.

The Bengals will have a tough time rushing against the Texans, and I expect Green to be the difference maker for the Bengals. He will use his speed to get over the top of the Texans secondary, and I'll be surprised if he doesn't have two touchdowns at the end of this game. 

Willis McGahee

Willis McGahee will single-handedly win the game when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Denver Broncos in Mile High Stadium this weekend.

The Steelers have been terrific at stopping the run this year (eighth in the NFL with 99.8 yards per game). I'm not discounting their defense with my statement, rather I'm enunciating the fact that the Broncos rushing attack is just that good.

McGahee has been running with more passion and fire than I've seen in years, and the Broncos' offensive line is playing with excellent technique and a pissed-off demeanor. They are tough. 

I'm predicting another improbable win for the Tebows, and McGahee will be the man of the hour in the victory.

Victor Cruz

While my first two picks may have been debatable, there is no doubting that Victor Cruz can single-handedly win this upcoming wild-card game for the New York Giants.

The Giants face the Atlanta Falcons, and I'm expecting both defenses to get lit up a few times. 

Cruz will outwit, outrun, outfight and outright beat the Falcons secondary, further cementing him as one of the biggest playmakers to come into the NFL in the last decade. 

Darren Sproles

It shouldn't have been a surprise that the man who caught Drew Brees' NFL record-breaking pass would be Darren Sproles. 

All the talk regarding the success of the New Orleans Saints offense this year has centered mostly around two men: Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham.

There would have been no record, however, without Sproles' contributions. 

Sproles will single-handedly win the game this weekend against the Detroit Lions through his multidimensional contributions in the return game, in the running game and in the passing game.