Ray Lewis and 7 NFL Veterans Who Could Be Playing in Their Final Playoff Games

There are two things the NFL playoffs bring without fail every year.

One is an eventual champion in the form of the Super Bowl winner.

The other is the realization that some of the players that we've grown used to watching over the year will not be back next year.

It's a little early for players to say that they're playing in their last game. They may not know it yet.

Here's a group of players whose next playoff game could be the finale.

7. Charles Woodson, CB, Packers, 35

Charles Woodson has had a monster career, including a national championship with the University of Michigan, the 1997 Heisman Trophy, the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year Award and a Super Bowl title.

If another Super Bowl title were to come his way, might Woodson hang them up?

He’s not one to talk about it, but the Green Bay Packers defensive leader is keen on his legacy. He might be the rare one to step out when he’s on top.

6. Chad Ochocinco, WR, Patriots, 34

It’s virtually certain that Chad Ochocinco isn’t the New England Patriots’ plans, either next week or next year.

Ochocinco was on the field for just one snap Saturday against Denver, and it might be enough to convince Ochocinco that his time has come and gone.

There might be another team out there willing to give him a look, but he comes with enough baggage that it’s hard to tell.

5. Matt Birk, C, Ravens, 35

It seems almost certain that the Baltimore Ravens will have to go in search of another center for the 2012 season.

Matt Birk has been battling knee pain for the past several years. While he is still playing at a high level, the pain is only getting worse.

He’s hinted at retirement before, and there are suggestions that those hints will solidify into reality this year.

4. Matt Turk, P, Texans, 43

Just because Matt Turk, at 43, is the oldest player on this list doesn’t necessarily mean his career is over.

The Houston Texans are a team on the rise, and he may be tempted, if Houston is willing to go for one more season.

But even punters do succumb to the ravages of time, and Turk may just decide that it’s time to call it quits.

3. Donald Driver, WR, Packers, 36

Green Bay's Donald Driver is still starting after all these years, a standout on a team trying to defend its Super Bowl title.

Driver has said all along that he has no desire to retire, so he could be back as a wide out in six months.

At the same time, is there a better way to go out than with back-to-back Super Bowl rings?

2. Shawn Ellis, DE, Patriots, 34

A dozen years into a terrific NFL career, Shawn Ellis has had one of his poorer seasons.

He wound up starting just 10 games for the Patriots, losing playing time not just to injury, but also to reduced quality of performance.

He does have a couple of postseason sacks, so there is still a decent level of skill, but it could be time to say goodbye.

1. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens, 36

As far back as the beginning of the season, Ray Lewis hinted that this might be his last NFL season.

His coaches insist his level of play remains at a high level. He doesn’t seem to be talking like someone who has decided to walk away.

Even so, he might yet walk. He led the Ravens in tackles this year, but he missed four games with turf toe. The 13-time Pro Bowl pick still isn’t 100 percent.

It might be time for the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year to call it a career.