NFL Playoff Predictions: Big Name Stars Sure to Struggle in Divisional Round

Not everyone can be like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or even Eli Manning. Not all the stars of the NFL can step their games up to unreachable heights when it matters most—during the playoffs.

Unfortunately, some of the league's top players have to take the role Joe Flacco has bestowed upon himself: playoff choke artist. Hey, Flacco still has time in his career to remove that label, but for now it's there.

Here's a look at some top players who will struggle this weekend.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Foster is an absolute workhorse as he can easily carry the rock 25 to 30 times per game. Because he is able to wear down defenses, he usually breaks off a big run or two in the second half.

Unfortunately for Foster and the Texans, they travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. This Ravens defense is incredibly stout, as it gives up just 3.5 yards per carry (second best in the NFL).

What's more, Baltimore is a better team by tenfold when it's at home, so Houston should be feeling pretty nervous about this one.

Foster will get a good amount of carries as Houston tries to slow down the game, but the yards just won't be there.

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

Gronk, possibly in a tie with New Orleans' Jimmy Graham, was the best tight end in the NFL this year. He pulled in an amazing 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Still, though, arguably his second- or third-worst game of the season came in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, when he caught four passes for just 53 yards and no touchdowns.

The Broncos have some solid linebackers and if they choose to concentrate on Gronk, they can shut him down fairly well. Luckily for Tom Brady, he has plenty of other options to choose from.

If Gronk isn't open, he'll just find other open receivers. It's as simple as that for Brady. Still though, Gronkowski's stats will suffer in the end.

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

When the Giants met up with the Packers earlier this season, Nicks exposed Green Bay's secondary to the tune of seven catches, 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Don't expect the Packers to let that happen again.

The emergence of Victor Cruz has taken some of the pressure off Nicks, but I can't imagine the Packers giving Nicks a whole lot of single coverage after he burned them last game.

The Giants will still be able to move the ball in this one; it just won't be via Nicks' hands (and legs) this time.