NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting Sunday's Top 5 Players

The Green Bay Packers have Aaron Rodgers, the New Orleans Saints have Drew Brees and the Houston Texans have Andre Johnson and Arian Foster.

Superstars win games.

There isn't a playoff team without at least one star. It's simply impossible to succeed in the NFL without at least one elite player.

During the second half of the NFL's divisional round, we will see several of these superstars. Some of them have bad matchups and probably won't dominate. Others are poised to break out and put their teams on their backs.

This is about the latter group.

Aaron Rodgers

Well, Aaron Rodgers dominates just about every week.

This won't change against the Giants and their less-than-stellar pass defense.

Rodgers will be under pressure at times, but he will have open receivers, and few quarterbacks are better at making plays on the move.

The likely MVP will make throws underneath and push the ball downfield.

There's nothing Rodgers can't and won't do.

Ray Rice

This isn't the best matchup for Ray Rice, but it's hard to imagine him not making an impact.

Rice led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and will have a huge role in Baltimore's offensive attack.

The Texans have a great run defense, but their pass-rush will keep the Ravens running the ball and throwing quick passes.

Many of these passes will go to Rice, who can make huge plays from what looks like nothing.

Arian Foster

Against the Ravens, Arian Foster probably won't put together a huge game.

However, with T.J. Yates at quarterback, the Texans will try to run the ball.

It's really Houston's only chance at winning the game.

Foster is among the game's best running backs and put together an outstanding 2011 campaign.

Baltimore's run defense is certainly an obstacle, but Foster is difficult to stop and will have plenty of opportunities.

Greg Jennings

Jordy Nelson hurt the Giants earlier in the season, and after his big performance against the Lions a couple weeks ago, he poses a significant threat.

New York may actually focus on Nelson too much and ignore Greg Jennings.

Despite what the stats suggest, Jennings is Aaron Rodgers' No. 1 target.

Jennings is a top-10 wideout and has a great matchup against New York's battered secondary. 

It's all but guaranteed that Rodgers will light up the Giants. The question is who he will throw to, and Jennings is the most likely target.

Eli Manning

The wins may suggest otherwise, but Green Bay really doesn't have a great defense.

The Packers have often allowed offenses to move almost at will, and they will be scoring quickly and often against the Giants.

This makes it likely that Eli Manning will put together a huge game.

Manning has been great at times, and he is capable of beating the Packers.

Peyton's younger brother is finally playing up to the family name in 2011.

Don't expect this to stop just because the Giants are playing the Packers. Look for it to continue—and then some.