NFL Divisional Predictions 2012: Players Most Likely to Choke for Each Team

In the NFL playoffs, some players turn out to be heroes and some players…don’t. The players who fail to step up with the game on the line can often be as big a part of the postseason outcome as the triumphant stars.

(As a Giants fan, I’m required by law to insert a Scott Norwood reference at this point.)

Below, the one player from each remaining playoff team who’s likeliest to wind up as a goat in the divisional round:

New Orleans Saints: Roman Harper

Harper, the team leader in both tackles and sacks from his SS spot, can sometimes gamble on the highlight-reel hit rather than making a sure tackle. If Frank Gore bounces off Harper and breaks off a long TD, it could turn the game in San Francisco’s favor.

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith

Gore will be the workhorse for the Niners offense, but QB Smith will be called on for some critical third-down conversions. If Smith converts on third down he’ll be a hero, but even one interception at the wrong time could be the end of San Francisco’s playoff hopes.

Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow

Tebow turned the ball over nine times in the final three regular-season games, and if there’s one thing Bill Belichick’s defenses know how to do, it’s how to take advantage of giveaways. Tebow might turn in another sterling effort like last week’s against Pittsburgh, but a couple of errant passes or bad option pitches will doom the Broncos on Saturday.

New England Patriots: Kyle Arrington

Arrington has made seven interceptions this season, and he’s going to be chomping at the bit to face the erratic Tebow. If he gambles on a takeaway and hands Denver another 50-plus-yard TD pass, he could set up a mammoth upset.

Houston Texans: Arian Foster

Houston must hope for a defensive slugfest, and that means riding Foster for huge numbers of carries. If he adds to his season total of five fumbles, the Texans are in deep trouble.

Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco

Flacco’s postseason career has featured four TDs against seven INTs. When he’s turned the ball over this season, it’s been bad news for his team—to the tune of six picks in Baltimore’s four losses.

New York Giants: Victor Cruz

No Giant has made more spectacular plays than Cruz, but no Giant has botched as many simple ones, either. If Cruz has to make a one-handed catch in traffic, New York is in great shape—but if the game comes down to an open Cruz trying to catch a TD, he might wind up (with apologies to Jackie Smith) as the "sickest man in America."

Green Bay Packers: James Starks

The snow should be cleaned up by game time, but frigid Green Bay still won’t be the friendliest place for the passing game on Sunday. Starks, nursing an ankle injury, will need to make a few plays and avoid turning the ball over late while the Packers are—almost inevitably—trying to run out the clock on the overmatched Giants.