NFL Playoff Predictions: Predicting Top 8 Players of Divisional Round

The playoffs are the stage in which true stars emerge. When the season is on the line you can expect teams to rely on their best players that got them to where they are. Many of these players go unnoticed because of their position but they are just as important to winning as everyone else on the team.

Here is a list of the players who will emerge as the best of this year's divisional round. 

Clay Matthews

The Packers' defense has certainly taken a turn for the worst this season but Matthews is still a dynamic player. 

This week he gets a favorable match-up against Kareem McKenzie, and it will be on him to cause disruption in the backfield and halt the Giants' big-play passing attack. 

If the Packers can get an early lead it will allow Matthews to pin his ears back and set his sights on getting Eli Manning on the ground. 

Arian Foster

It is no secret that the Texans are going to have to lean on their running game to beat the Baltimore Ravens. 

As good as the Ravens are in their front seven, the Texans have been able to run it on just about everyone this season and I don't expect that to stop on Sunday. Foster (and Ben Tate) will put up huge numbers as they get a ton of carries to keep the ball out of T.J. Yates' hands. 

Rob Gronkowski

The Broncos simply do not have the cover men to match up with the Patriots' weapons, especially Rob Gronkowski. He is too big for a corner and too quick for a linebacker. 

I would be surprised if the Broncos came up with a solution to him without sacrificing their coverage on guys like Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez.

Jimmy Graham

Drew Brees is probably not going to have the time to get the ball downfield with Aldon and Justin Smith bearing down on him all game long, so he will look for his security blanket, Jimmy Graham, to move the football. 

The Saints will also need a good short passing game in case the running game is halted by the 49ers defensive front.

Graham will also have a huge presence in the red zone, which could be the difference in the game as the Saints get touchdowns and the 49ers settle for field goals. 

Frank Gore

It is no secret that the 49ers want to play this game in a very different way than that of the Saints. They will want to limit the possessions and control the clock. The best way to do that is to give the ball to Frank Gore. 

Gore will also benefit from going against a Saints defense that has shown to be susceptible against the run. 

Aaron Rodgers

The Giants are a big-play offense and the Packers give up a ton of big plays. The Packers' line has been shaky as of late and the Giants' pass rush has returned to elite status. Eli Manning is having his best season as a pro.

However, the Packers have one equalizing factor: Aaron Rodgers.

As good as Manning has been, Rodgers is on another level. He can mask a lot of deficiencies on his team. Now that he is getting Greg Jennings back, I would bet on the Packer offense to return to the form it was in earlier in the season.  

Drew Brees

To go into San Francisco and beat the NFL's best defense is no easy task, but if anyone is up to the challenge it's Drew Brees. 

One of the most underrated parts of Brees' game is his ability to move around in the pocket and by himself time while keeping his eyes downfield. If Brees can continue to do this against a loaded front seven of the 49ers, they will be able to create big plays downfield. 

In my opinion, the whole notion that the Saints are a completely different team when outside is a bit overblown. Brees will be at his best no matter what field surface he is playing on. 

Jonathan Joseph

The Texans and Ravens are two very similar teams, except the Ravens have a better quarterback.

However, if Jonathan Joseph can hold his own on an island with Anquan Boldin, it will allow the Texans to dictate one more player to stopping the run or covering another receiver, which will equalize the two passing games and make this game into a close, defensive game. 

If the Texans can keep this game close, I like their chances. And they would have Jonathan Joseph to thank for doing so.