NFL Playoffs 2012: Predicting This Weekend's Top Performers

As the NFL divisional round games begin this weekend, there's certainly a high level of expectation that each game will be exciting and intense.

And rightfully so, as three of the four games (Broncos-Patriots, Texans-Ravens and Giants-Packers) are regular-season rematches.

What makes these games exciting, however, are the some of the NFL's top stars.

To that end, here are the players who will be the best performers from each divisional game.

Rob Gronkowski: TE, Patriots (vs Broncos)

In the first meeting, Denver had a solid game plan and limited tight end Rob Gronkowski to 53 yards on four receptions. Unfortunately for the Broncos, they forgot to stop Aaron Hernandez, New England's other tight end.

That being said, expect Denver to blitz all day while playing a lot of man coverage to stymie Tom Brady's targets. It's the Broncos' best chance as the Patriots simply have too many weapons for them to handle.

Which is where Gronkowski comes in.

When they met in Denver, Brady only targeted Gronk five times and New England ran the ball 24 times for 141 yards. So also expect the Broncos to be more concerned about stopping the run.

As a result, Gronk will see a lot of single coverage and stretch the field. With Wes Welker drawing coverage underneath and Deion Branch attracting attention on the outside,  Gronkowski will have opportunities for catches over the deep middle.

Rob Gronkowski: Seven receptions, 105 receiving yards, two TDs

Frank Gore: RB, 49ers (vs Saints)

For the San Francisco 49ers to beat New Orleans, they must come out throwing the ball more than usual.

Early on, the Saints are going to load the box to shut down Frank Gore, since they allow almost five yards per carry despite their No. 12 rank against the run. But that fine with the 49ers, as New Orleans also ranks No. 30 against the pass and 'Niners QB Alex Smith is capable of exploiting that secondary.

That will allow the 49ers to save Gore for late in the first half and for most of the second half. He's no doubt going to get his carries and yards, but with the rushing attack as the 49ers' ultimate strength, the Saints will attack that from the start.

Once the Saints are more vulnerable to the run, meaning later in games, Gore will take over, whether it's slamming between the trenches, off tackle or a designed quick pass in the flats.

Also, if done at the right time, any delayed hand-off or draw play will work to keep New Orleans honest, provided that Smith is effective enough through the air.

Another reason Gore needs to be near full strength late is to keep the Saints offense off the field.

Drew Brees and company do a lot of damage in the second half, so limiting their possessions will be vital.

Frank Gore: 22 carries for 110 rushing yards, four catches for 30 yards, two TDs

Arian Foster: RB, Texans (at Ravens)

When the Texans faced the Ravens in Baltimore in the regular season, Houston lost 29-14 but was without receiver Andre Johnson, who has been back since Week 17.

Houston didn't have that vertical threat in the first meeting, so it was no surprise to see running back Arian Foster get shut down.

This time around, however, Foster has less pressure thanks to Johnson's presence out wide. Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates also has tight end Owen Daniels, who is a reliable receiving target and reliable run blocker.

Foster will be fed early and often. Putting the game in a rookie's hands from the start is a recipe for disaster. What will work, though, are some quick passes, screens and hitting Foster in the flats.

As for on the ground, Foster needs to use his ability to bounce runs outside and/or cut against the grain since Baltimore is an excellent blitzing team. Whether it's from the inside, outside or both, the Ravens can attack quite well.

The pass game early will only need to be effective enough to restrict Baltimore's aggressiveness, because as evidence by the wild-card game, Foster can wear down a solid defense in crunch time.

Arian Foster: 20 carries for 95 rushing yards, four receptions for 50 receiving yards, one TD

Aaron Rodgers: QB, Packers (vs Giants)

Early in the game against New York, the Green Bay Packers must establish a run game.

That's because they need to slow the game down and allow their defense time to adjust to the Giants' explosive offense. In addition, New York has arguably the league's most collectively dominant pass rush.

If Aaron Rodgers is dropping back all game long, he will get sacked and hit a lot more than expected. He'll do the most damage in the second half, provided that Green Bay's rushing offense can wear down New York.

Rodgers must also be effective enough in the first half to assist the ground game. Any time Rodgers drops back early on, it needs to be a set of quick passes.

Slants, screens, curls, outs and crossing patterns will suffice to keep New York honest enough to open up some holes in the trenches. When the second half begins, though, thwarting the Giants defense will be easier as they'll be expecting run.

With all his targets and New York having NFL's worst secondaries,  Rodgers will burn them vertically and horizontally. We'll  see more five- and seven-step drops as Green Bay tries to pull away late.

Aaron Rodgers: 27-of-40 for 330 passing yards, three TDs, no picks

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