NFL Playoff Predictions: Underrated Players That Will Shine in Divisional Round

The stars of the league always get the most hype leading up the NFL playoff games, and rightfully so since most have carried their team this far.

However, there are players often overlooked that will end up having superb performances to help keep their team competitive. 

Teams will focus too much on the big-name player, allowing someone else to step up and make plays. 

With that said, here are a few underrated players that will shine bright in the AFC and NFC divisional round. 

Demaryius Thomas, WR 

The Denver Broncos wideout stole the show with a excellent play to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime last week, and he'll once again come up big to make Tim Tebow look good. 

Second on the team in receiving, Thomas has had highs and lows all season long. The 6'3", 235-pound wideout has the speed to beat defenders and he also is a great physical player, which helps in the run game. 

Thomas is fresh on people's minds because of his heroics last weekend, but he isn't quite a huge star. Since the New England Patriots have such an atrocious secondary, expect Thomas to get open a lot. 

This means it's up to Tebow to get him the ball, and while he'll miss on occasion, there will be a few bombs that the two will connect on for mega gains. 

Jordy Nelson, WR 

Outside of Green Bay, when fans think of the Packers they immediately think Aaron Rodgers, the less-than-stellar defense and then Greg Jennings. 

That is a smack in the face to Nelson, who led the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. People forget about him all too often, and he's going to show up big time against the New York Giants this Sunday. 

The Giants may be playing better on defense, but their focus will be on Jennings, and that will cost them. 

Nelson is a great athlete, and you can definitely expect him to burn the Giants' secondary and Rodgers to hit him on the deep route. 

Jake Ballard, TE 

The Packers' defense ranked dead last in the NFL against the pass, which means Eli Manning will be airing it out all over the place this Sunday. 

Green Bay will put all its focus toward stopping Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, which means Ballard will be the fall back for Manning. 

Of course Cruz and Nicks are going to have good games, but eventually adjustments will be made by the Packers to limit their production, forcing Manning to look elsewhere. This is a playoff game, so expect the Packers' defense to be better than it has this season. 

Ballard was third on the team in receiving yards, and had a solid game against Green Bay earlier in the year. The Packers will forget about him, allowing him to get free and make some really big plays for New York. 

There's nothing more frustrating that locking down the wideouts only to have a tight end go for 40 yards down the field.