NFL Playoff Picks: Receivers Who Will Star on Big Stage

In today's NFL, points are being racked up at alarming rates.

That's why having a star receiver has become more critical than ever.

As we head into Wild Card Weekend, there are three receivers in particular who are soaring into the playoffs and will be hard to stop.

Here are three wideouts who will explode on the big stage.

3. Victor Cruz, New York Giants

There haven't been enough hyperboles (or expletives) to describe just how fantastic undrafted rookie Victor Cruz has been this season.

In fact, the Giants may have never made the playoffs if it weren't for Cruz, who totaled 342 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his last two games of the season.

Cruz, despite being a rookie headed into his first postseason, is just too explosive to ignore. He faces the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Round, and quarterback Eli Manning obviously loves this kid.

2. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

Marques Colston has made a living hooking up with quarterback Drew Brees throughout the years.

He's also pretty good himself.

This season, Colston caught 80 balls for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. He's also averaging 105.5 receiving yards in his last four games and has caught five touchdown passes in that span. Did I mention he's coming off 145 yards and two touchdowns in Week 17?

Colston faces a Detroit Lions pass defense that can be beat, as evidenced by the 480 yards and five touchdowns Packers backup Matt Flynn put up in Week 17. Packers receiver Jordy Nelson had 162 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

What do you get when you throw one of game's best receivers into a shootout?

Why, a lot of yards and big plays, of course.

Calvin Johnson has racked up 96 receptions and 1,681 yards this season, along with 16 touchdowns. When you have a player who has 560 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his last three games headed into the playoffs, that player is generally not going to disappoint.

And he won't with quarterback Matthew Stafford at the helm. By the way, Stafford threw for 520 yards and five touchdowns in Week 17 against the Packers.