NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting Wild Card Weekend's Top RB Performances

With so many teams having pass-oriented offenses, those who do work on the ground are easily overlooked.

That said, the Brahma Bulls who pass block, take hits in the trenches to set up the play-action pass and act as the QB's safety outlet need to be recognized. So, here are the potential top running back performers from each wild-card game.

Arian Foster, Texans (vs Bengals)

In the first game against Cincinnati, Texans running back Arian Foster accounted for 74 total yards but lost a fumble and didn't score a TD despite getting 19 touches (15 carries, four catches)

Fortunately, with receiver Andre Johnson back in the lineup, things will be different this time around. Johnson's presence will prevent Cincy from stacking the box to shut down Foster, so Arian must dominate on the ground.

Cincinnati may rank No. 9 against the pass and No. 10 against the rush, but they're just 1-6 against teams with a winning record and the one winning team they beat (Tennessee) missed the postseason.

Expect a big day from Foster, as his production will dictate how far Houston goes this January. He'll need to slam between the tackles and gain solid yards after the catch on screens and check-downs.

As long as Johnson, Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter can prove to be effective enough downfield, Cincinnati will not put eight in the box. Thus, Arian will have a solid game and Houston will move on.

22 carries for 110 yards, four catches for 45 yards, two TDs

Darren Sproles, Saints (vs Lions)

As the dual-threat back of the group—and arguably the most complete player on the New Orleans Saints—Darren Sproles' versatility against the Detroit Lions on Saturday is vitally important.

Sproles is the Saints' leading rusher, with 603 yards on 87 carries. He's also Drew Brees' No. 3-leading receiver, with 710 yards on 86 receptions. All together, he has scored nine offensive TDs in addition to one punt-return TD.

The first time against the Lions, Sproles accounted for 74 total yards and one TD on just nine touches. New Orleans won 31-17, but increased numbers will be needed to best the Lions again.

Detroit has played with a supreme amount of confidence in recent weeks and the Saints offense will score as well. This game will have the highest scoring total, and Sproles will need to be a reliable target on slants, screens, check-downs and quick outs to widen the Lions defense.

Going vertical allows Jimmy Graham to stretch Detroit and makes Brees' life that much easier when dropping back.

Seven carries for 45 yards, six catches for 55 yards, one TD

Michael Turner, Falcons (at Giants)

Thanks to a Lions loss at Green Bay and a win over Tampa Bay in Week 17, the Atlanta Falcons avoided the Saints and get to play the Giants in New York this weekend.

Fortunately for Atlanta, the Giants rank No. 19 against the run and No. 29 against the pass, while allowing a total of 376 yards per game. In order for the Falcons to have increased odds at winning, because of New York's stout pass rush, they need Michael Turner to roll.

He's done that all season by accounting for over 1,300 rush yards and scoring 11 TDs. The Falcons may rank No. 17 in rushing, but Turner finished third in the league this season.

Against the Giants, Turner's ability to pass block will be crucial in slowing New York's pass rush, and slamming in the trenches off and between the tackles will wear Big Blue down. Also, the more Atlanta can keep Eli Manning off the field, the better.

The Giants have an explosive passing game and the Falcons are weak against the pass. Not to mention that they don't have an overly impressive pass rush. More than anyone else, Michael Turner's production is crucial for The Dirty Birds in this game.

The question is whether or not it will be enough.

25 carries for 120 yards, two TDs

Willis McGahee, Broncos (vs Steelers)

If there's one area in which the Denver Broncos can have success against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, it's pounding the rock on the ground.

The Steelers have the NFL's top-ranked pass defense but are only No. 8 against the run. Collectively, they allow just 271 yards each game. With Denver being awful at throwing the ball, running is really their only option.

As for Pittsburgh, the Broncos' Orange Crush defense will shut down their ground game as well. Denver's rank isn't as impressive as Pittsburgh's; however, they've been improving as the year has progressed.

To that end, don't expect much success on the ground from either team, but Willis McGahee will be the best performer.

In a defensive battle, you want to control the clock. Being that McGahee played for Baltimore, he knows how to attack the Steelers defense. As long as Tim Tebow can pose as a viable scrambling threat, Pittsburgh may hold off from blitzing relentlessly.

Therefore, the Broncos simply must keep McGahee slicing between the tackles and feed him early and often (regardless of the results) to try and set up some sort of passing game.

27 carries for 95 yards, no TDs

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