NFL Playoff Predictions: Victor Cruz and More Stars Who Will Shine in Losses

Obviously, every playoff game is going to produce a losing team. But it doesn't mean that every individual effort is going to be a losing effort. 

The teams of these players will come up short in their first round of playoff games. Still, look for big efforts from all of them.

Calvin Johnson

Johnson is the best receiver in the game, and it's not even close. The Saints secondary will have a hard time matching up against him. That doesn't mean that the Lions will win, because they won't. But Johnson is going to have a big day.

All year long, the Lions have lived and died with Matthew Stafford looking for and finding Johnson. They'll be doing a lot of that today. Johnson has the size and overall athleticism that gives defensive coordinators nightmares. There is no answer for him. 

Ultimately, the problem is that the Lions won't have an answer for Drew Brees and the Saints' attack. But in his playoff debut, Johnson is going to have a huge statistical day.

Victor Cruz

Cruz's season was phenomenal. There is no bigger Pro Bowl snub in the entire NFL, at any position. The Falcons have too much overall balance in this one for the Giants to win. Still, look for Cruz to have another day with a couple of big plays, making this one close. 

While the Falcons have a lot of balance, the one weakness they have is that they can be passed on. Cruz and Eli Manning will take full advantage of that fact. Eventually, the Falcons will win this game. But don't be surprised to see a salsa dance or two in the end zone.

Von Miller

It's no surprise that the man from this one is going to be a defensive player. With a beaten up Ben Roethlisberger, a patchwork offensive line and basically no running attack, the Broncos will be in attack mode all game long. 

That means that Miller will cause plenty of trouble. The problem is that Denver will have next to no offensive attack against the Steelers defense. But when Miller is on the field, he'll be a one-man wrecking crew on Sunday afternoon in Denver. 

Playoff success will have to wait until next year, but a strong playoff performance is going to happen on Sunday. 

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