NFL Playoff Predictions: 5 Superstars Who Will Own Divisional Round

With the top seeds in both the AFC and NFC back in action in the divisional round, there are going to be a few more stars shining brightly this weekend.

Then again, it's not like the stars who shined brightly in the Wild Card Round are chopped liver. Put the two groups together, and what you'll get is a pretty awesome collection of awesomeness.

So pull up a chair, take a seat, and get ready to watch some football. You're going to see some big-time players make some big-time plays this weekend.

Hint: Keep an eye on the five players listed below. They're going to make more plays than all the rest.

5. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

It's typically not a very good idea to expect any running back to have a big game against the Houston Texans. They finished the regular season with the league's fourth-best rush defense, and they allowed just two 100-yard rushers all season.

But I'm going to make an exception in Ray Rice's case. After all, he was one of those 100-yard rushers.

Beyond that, Rice also finished second in the league in rushing in 2011 and tacked on 704 yards receiving on 76 receptions. He can do it all, and you can rest assured that he will be Baltimore's primary weapon against Houston on Sunday.

While I'm not taking it for granted that Rice will rush for over 100 yards again, I do expect him to gain well over 100 total yards. I would also bank on him scoring at least one touchdown.

In a game that is likely to feature some pretty good defense, that should be good enough.

4. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

For a few weeks during the regular season, Frank Gore was the best running back in the NFL. Hands down.

Gore got more and more banged up as the season went along, and you could see his production slip as a result. But thanks to the 49ers' bye week in the first round of the playoffs, Gore should be much closer to 100 percent against the New Orleans Saints.

Make no mistake, the 49ers are banking on Gore to have a big game against the Saints. Their defense will hold its own against Drew Brees and New Orleans' offense, but the 49ers are going to need Gore to generate offense on the ground.

Because they have a tendency to open up big leads, the Saints are not accustomed to taking a beating from running backs like Gore. But if the 49ers keep the game close, that's what the Saints are going to be in for.

This game is going to be close, so the Saints better be ready. Gore is going to be a handful.

3. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Eli Manning and the Giants are going to have their work cut out for them at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Beating the Packers on the road in the playoffs is rather difficult.

But Manning and the G-Men will put up a fight. Specifically, they'll put up a fight against Green Bay's leaky pass defense.

Though the Packers balanced things out by leading the league in interceptions, they really didn't fare well against the pass in 2011, allowing a league-worst 299.8 passing yards per game during the regular season.

Manning did his part to add to that figure in Week 13, throwing for 347 yards and three touchdowns against the Packers in a loss at MetLife Stadium. Such games were typical for Manning in 2011.

To boot, Manning is coming into this game hot, as he was last seen throwing for 277 yards and three touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Packers are probably going to win this game, but they're going to know that they were in a fight.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

If the Packers are going to beat the Giants, they're going to need Aaron Rodgers to fight back.

Fair enough. After all, we're only talking about the most efficient quarterback in the NFL this season, not to mention one that is well rested after taking Week 17 off.

Besides, Rodgers made it look a little too easy against the Giants back in Week 13, as he threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns. He had no trouble carving up New York's makeshift secondary, and his ability to get the ball out quickly will make life tough for the Giants' defensive line.

It helps that Rodgers is going to have Greg Jennings back in the huddle for this game. He's going to have everything he needs to have a very Rodgers-like day against the Giants.

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Tim Tebow is getting his fair share of attention right now, but he's going to be at a major disadvantage against Tom Brady and the Patriots on Saturday.

For that matter, so will Denver's defense. It didn't have an answer for Brady when the Broncos played the Patriots in Week 15, as Brady threw for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

It wasn't exactly uncommon for quarterbacks to put up big numbers against the Broncos during the regular season. They had strong games here and there, but their pass rush is inconsistent and their secondary as a whole is just okay.

A great quarterback like Brady should have no trouble besting the Broncos. Again.

At the end of the day, Brady will wrest the spotlight from Tebow's control. Um, again.