NFL Playoff Predictions: Tim Tebow and Players Sure to Fall Flat in First Round

Every team that was fortunate to make the postseason did so because they had high-impact players who made a difference during the regular season. Those same players will have to play at the highest possible level if their respective teams are going to achieve success.

While some of them most definitely will, others will inevitably come up short. Wild Card Weekend features many stars that will be relied upon heavily. Here are three such players who will fall flat and ultimately cost their teams the game in the first round.

WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

No wide receiver in football was more dominant this season than Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions. Johnson was probably the biggest reason for quarterback Matthew Stafford's emergence, as he totaled 96 grabs for 1,681 yards and an incredible 16 touchdowns. Johnson essentially dominated the competition on a weekly basis.

One team was able to hold him in check, though, and that was the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints will host the Lions on Saturday night and will surely employ the same method of defending him. Johnson was held to just 69 yards, which wouldn't be too disappointing for a mere mortal, but it was one of Johnson's worst games of the season—especially because he didn't reach the end zone. New Orleans always committed extra defenders, especially in the red zone. Stafford still threw for 400 yards in that game, but the Saints won't allow much of it to be to Johnson.

DE Justin Tuck, New York Giants

While injuries had much to do with it, New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck racked up only five sacks on the season. That lack of production hasn't stopped him from talking, though, as he called the Atlanta Falcons' offensive line "dirtbags" earlier in the week due to their cut-blocking techniques. Atlanta's line was already solid, but Tuck's trash talk will likely only motivate them to play even better.

Tuck certainly benefits from having other great pass rushers around him like Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora, but the Falcons are sure to pay special attention to him. On top of that, I highly doubt they will hesitate to cut-block him in their zone-blocking scheme.

Tuck has a ton of talent and he is a very big man, but this hasn't been his best season, and I think that will continue to hold true in the playoffs.

QB Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

When Tim Tebow took over as the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback early this season, it looked as if they were on the road to an early draft pick. Instead, Tebow (and the defense) reversed the team's fortunes and led them to seven wins in eight games.

The magic has begun to wear off, though, as the Broncos limped down the stretch, losing three consecutive games. Despite that, they won the AFC West and will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The Steelers ranked first in the league against the pass and eighth against the run during the regular season, so Tebow will have his hands full. The Buffalo Bills were able to build a nice lead against the Broncos a couple weeks ago, and they exposed Tebow by picking him off three times. I expect Pittsburgh to come out strong early, build a lead and force Tebow into mistakes, as he will have to pass more than head coach John Fox wants.