NFL Playoff Predictions: Superstar Players Who Will Struggle in Divisional Round

Unfortunately at this stage in the NFL playoffs, struggles sometimes determine winners and losers more than triumphs. 

Star players at skill positions and on defense can either cover up a team's weaknesses or expose a team at the worst time possible. 

Here are some star players sure to struggle this divisional weekend:

Arian Foster (HOU)

The Texans running back is coming off an extraordinary outing against the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend in the Wild Card Round, in which he rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 21-point Houston win, the team's first ever in the postseason.

However, that momentum won't matter on Sunday in Baltimore, where the NFL's second-ranked rushing defense by yardage will be waiting for him. The Ravens allow a little less than 93 rushing yards per game on average this season, and held Foster to just 49 yards on the ground in the two teams' last meeting, back in Week 6 of the regular season.

Baltimore held the entire Texans team to just 93 rushing yards on 25 attempts, which suggests that the Ravens have the most important matchup edge. 

Victor Cruz (NYG)

The Giants' superstar wideout was MIA last weekend against the Falcons, but fortunately for New York, Atlanta failed to show up, losing 24-2 in what was one of the more pathetic postseason performances in NFL history.

Cruz did catch seven balls for 119 yards in Week 13 against the Packers, but that was at home and not against the rested turnover kings of Green Bay. It wouldn't be surprising if Charles Woodson forced a fumble on Cruz considering he has a history of being loose with the ball at times. 

Manning will also make a couple of mistakes given the takeaway ability of the Packers defense. Those mistakes will result in a subpar performance from Cruz. 

Drew Brees (NO)

Although Drew Brees and the Saints offense has been on fire for the past couple of months, they have yet to face a defense as dangerous as the San Francisco 49ers'. The Niners lead the NFL in takeaways with 38. San Francisco's top-ranked rushing defense will also force the Brees to beat them, effectively eliminating any rushing threat of New Orleans.

The more Brees drops back to pass the more mistakes he will make. Long drives come at a premium against the Niners and there will be no Superdome noise or Halloween costumes to inspire the Saints on Saturday afternoon.

Brees won't be completing 76 percent of his passes like last weekend against the Lions. The road presents a much different challenge for the former Super Bowl MVP.