2012 AFC Championship Game: Potential Big-Time Performances to Watch for

In the 2011-12 AFC Championship Game, we know players like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski from New England and Ray Lewis and Ray Rice from Baltimore are going to have solid games.

However, we also have to expect that each team will prepare to shutdown those star players. That means other guys will have to step up and takeover the spotlight. Keep an eye on the following players.

Deion Branch: WR, Patriots

Last week Deion Branch may have caught three passes for 85 yards and scored a TD, but that's not really a breakout/big-time performance.

Denver's pass defense is weak and the Broncos failed to get any kind of pass rush on Tom Brady. Against Baltimore, expect Branch to see a lot more targets with Rob Gronkowski seeing a lot of double-teams.

The Ravens will need to blitz, so Branch will see single coverage all game long. In turn, he must simply produce for New England to have a legit shot at winning. Fortunately for the Patriots, Branch is familiar with stepping up big as he was the Super Bowl XXXIX MVP.

The only downside to that is Branch was 25 years old at the time. Now 32, Branch must go back in time and become his old self.

Only twice this season did Branch gain over 100 receiving yards in a game, so he must step up at least once more. Mostly as a possession target nowadays, expect Branch to be Brady's go-to receiver on curls and out routes.

In seeing a lot of single coverage, converting first-downs will be his duty.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: RB, Patriots

Although he's New England's leading rusher, BenJarvus Green-Ellis only compiled 667 rushing yards on 181 attempts for a 3.7 yards per carry average.

Obviously that production is skewed since the Patriots are a passing team, but his presence as a runner in this game must catch Baltimore's attention.

For one, the Ravens aren't expecting a run-heavy game plan from New England nor should they. However, the Pats must stay balanced to keep Baltimore honest and to keep pressure from getting to Tom Brady. Anticipate Green-Ellis being used more even in passing situations and getting fed on first down.

New England must show early that it's not going to abandon the run otherwise the Ravens won't respect it. To that end, look for BenJarvus as a key component from the opening kickoff.

With so much of Baltimore's attention going toward blitzing Brady and covering both Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker, Green-Ellis will see some nice running lanes to take advantage of.

Ed Dickson: TE, Ravens

Here's one guy that can save the day for Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco: tight end Ed Dickson.

Much like Rob Gronkowski being Tom Brady's go-to guy, Dickson must become that for Flacco against the Pats.

Early on expect New England to focus on shutting down Ray Rice and blitzing Flacco. Those are the two main keys in completely shutting down Baltimore's offense. With two threatening receivers out wide in rookie Torrey Smith and the veteran Anquan Boldin, Dickson goes under the radar.

This season the Patriots had one of the worst pass defenses and thrived on forcing turnovers. Because they need to blitz to take pressure off the coverage, Dickson will be open on quick pop passes over the linebackers and in the flats.

He'll somewhat be like a check down receiver as New England must focus more on stopping Rice, Boldin and Smith. The major difference in the Ravens' success will be the yards Dickson gets after the catch.

Dickson will need to quickly find the zone's soft spot as well as beat any single coverage. Likely to get a lot of target from Flacco, Dickson could be in for a huge game.

Ricky Williams: RB, Ravens

Most of Ricky Williams' production will be predicated on how Ed Dickson performs.

Anytime Ricky comes in the game the Patriots need not be aware of the screen pass or draw play since that's not Williams' dynamic.

He can, however, have a big game if Dickson is productive enough to help set up the run. Now, when Ray Rice is in the backfield you can bet on the Patriots' linebackers zeroing in on him as the coverage plays press with safety help over the top on Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin.

But with Williams in the backfield, New England won't be nearly as concerned about stopping the run. In turn, they'll also be less likely to blitz as Bill Belichick will want to save his best play calls for Rice.

That's only to Ricky's advantage because he literally has no pressure to perform. Whenever fed the rock he will slam the trenches hard against a vulnerable New England defense to accompany Ray Rice.

The better Williams can do will only wear down the Patriots more as Rice will do his share of work. Most of Williams' potential damage will be as the cleanup for Rice, which bodes well in keeping New England honest and from blitzing Flacco.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter.