NFL Playoff Predictions: Predicting the Top QB Performances of Divisional Round

With 2011 a definite year of the quarterback, it's not surprising to see Aaron Rodgers, Drew, Brees, Tom Brady and Eli Manning playing in the divisional round.

That said, even Denver's Tim Tebow has made some noise despite completing less than 50 percent of his throws. And with that mind, here are the top quarterback performances from the divisional round.

4. Eli Manning, Giants (at Packers)

As long as Eli Manning can prevent himself from being interception prone, which he can be at times, the Giants will match Green Bay score-for-score and keep the game close.

Green Bay obviously needs to get pressure on Manning, however, much like everyone on this list, his pass protection is great. The difference though, is that the Packers don't have nearly as threatening of a pass rush as the Giants.

The Packers defense is vastly more opportunistic, as evidenced by Clay Matthews intercepting Eli and taking it  to the house. It was Manning's one mistake in the regular season game that basically cost New York the victory.

There, he went 23-of-40 for 347 yards and had three TDs in addition to the pick, but was sacked just once. Playing at Lambeau Field this time, expect another solid performance from Manning as his receiving corps is significantly better than the Packers pass defense.

We know he'll have time to throw and if needed, the check down safety outlets will be there. For the Giants, the biggest concern is not keeping up with Green Bay, but playing their own effective game.

Prediction: 20-of-35, 250 yards, two TDs, one pick

3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs Giants)

It was an aerial show in The Big Apple and will be once again from Aaron Rodgers in Titletown against the New York Giants.

Regardless of the weather, Green Bay must throw the ball as that is their strength. The Packers aren't good enough to run the ball effectively without the passing game to back it up, so the production of Rodgers is imperative to a Green and Gold win.

In the first game against New York, Rodgers went for 369 yards on 28 completions with four TDs and one pick. This time around however, the Giants pass rush and coverage defenders have a lot more confidence thanks to dominating performances against Dallas in Week 17 and Atlanta last week.

Now, Green Bay is a different animal and the game is at Lambeau, but the Packers know they're up against a really tough opponent. For the game, Rodgers must utilize all targets as he normally does and each must have solid yards after the catch.

The Giants finished ranked No. 29 in pass defense (allowed 255.1 yards per game) and are nowhere near as opportunistic as the Packers defense. As long as Rodgers can hit a rhythm early and keep Big Blue stretched vertically, that will restrict the pass rush and allow the receivers more time to get open.

Prediction: 25-of-35, 315 yards, two TDs, no picks

2. Drew Brees, Saints (at 49ers)

In the only divisional game that isn't a regular season rematch, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints travel to the San Francisco and play the 49ers at the legendary Candlestick Park.

Both teams went 13-3 in 2011, but have completely opposite philosophies. The 49ers love to pound the rock on the ground and New Orleans airs it out. Fortunately for the Saints, Brees has been on fire all season and San Francisco is vulnerable against the pass.

They may have a great run defense and a solid pass rush, but with Brees' protection in the pocket and his array of receiving targets, he will slice San Francisco for some good yards. The only way Brees will slow down in this game is if the 49ers control the game tempo on offense.

The Saints can score virtually atwill and San Francisco isn't explosive enough to keep up. Plus, the 49ers defense is susceptible to pass-oriented offenses that rely on more than one receiver (see Dallas, Week 2).

Unless San Francisco wins the time of possession battle roughly 3-to-1 (45-to-15 minutes), it's going to be tough for them to slow down the Saints. Brees will find Jimmy Graham all over, Darren Sproles in the flats and as the check down, and guys like Marques Colston across the middle, curl routes and third down.

Provided that Brees doesn't start off slow like last week, New Orleans will get another big day from him.

Prediction: 31-of-42, 330 yards, three TDs, no picks

1. Tom Brady, Patriots (vs Broncos)

Last week the Denver Broncos pass rush and pass defense was stellar. The unfortunate aspect of that performance though, were the numerous injuries to Pittsburgh's offense.

Not to mention that even when healthy, the Steelers never really had a threatening ground game all season and Ben Roethlisberger's pass protection was always supremely weak. To that end, don't count on the Broncos shutting down Tom Brady.

For one, New England has much better pass protection for Brady and can run the ball when needed. In the regular season match, Brady threw for 320 yards on 23 completions and had two passing TDs.

The biggest concern for Denver is how they stop both tight-end Rob Gronkowski and receiver Wes Welker.

No-one on Denver's defense can stop either guy for 60 minutes in single coverage. So more often than not, there will be double coverage needed, which leaves open Deion Branch and the running backs in the flats and on check downs.

And although the Broncos will blitz and get to Brady a few times, they did so in the first game (two sacks, three additional QB hits) and still didn't rattle the future Hall-of-Famer.

Prediction: 27-of-40, 340 yards, three TDs, no picks

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