2012 NFL Playoffs: Ranking the 8 Best Individual Performances

The 2012 NFL playoffs featured some herculean efforts by individuals who propelled their respective teams to victory. In some cases, these were breakout performances that led to shock results.

In others, they simply are what fans and pundits have come to expect from elite All-Pros who have dominated the game for years and are the main reason why their teams remain perennial Super Bowl contenders. Amongst this mix of novices, potential-filled youngsters and established stars, there were some truly awesome displays of skill and courage.

Here is a list ranking the eight best individual performances which lit up the postseason and helped determine the eventual Super Bowl matchup. 

8. Drew Brees vs. Detroit Lions, NFC Wild Card Round

New Orleans Saints gunslinger Drew Brees completely destroyed the Detroit Lions defense in the opening round of the playoffs. The Saints triggerman shredded an overwhelmed Lions secondary with the kind of performance that epitomised his record-breaking regular season.

Brees completed 33 of 43 attempts, producing a whopping 466 yards and three scoring connections with no interceptions. The 11-year signal caller utilised his unerring accuracy and devilishly-quick release to render Detroit's aggressive front four impotent.

If he had produced this effort against a higher-calibre defense than the Lions, Brees would surely rank higher on this list thanks to this stunning showing.

7. Arian Foster vs. Cincinnati Bengals, AFC Wild Card Round

Talented rusher Arian Foster tore through the usually stout Cincinnati Bengals defense in the Houston Texans' first ever playoff game. The quick cutting 25-year-old powered his way through bewildered Bengals tacklers all game long.

Foster carried the ball 24 times and pounded out 153 yards. He added two scoring runs to his efforts, with the signature play of the game being his 42-yard scamper around the outside to seal the game.

Given the reputation of the Cincinnati defense and the fact that he is the main danger man for a Texans offense that was missing Matt Schaub, Foster's performance was simply outstanding.

6. Hakeem Nicks vs. Green Bay Packers, NFC Divisional Round

Hakeem Nicks made the defending Super Bowl Champions pay for their woeful pass defense. The dynamic flanker was one of the decisive factors in the New York Giants road upset of the Green Bay Packers.

The 6'1", 208-pound wideout proved too much for the Packers to handle. His precise route running combined with deceptive strength and vertical speed tormented the Green Bay defense and always gave the Giants offense a legitimate big play threat.

Nicks snared seven passes for 165 yards. His eye popping 23.6-yard average was matched by two crucial touchdown catches. Like Brees, Nicks is not afforded a higher spot on the list due to the poor performing defense he was up against.

5. Tom Brady vs. Denver Broncos, AFC Divisional Round

Tom Brady's six-touchdown salvo in the AFC divisional round came against a tough Denver Broncos defense that had been one of the driving forces behind the team's surprise run to the postseason. Brady was ruthlessly efficient as he picked apart a veteran Broncos secondary.

The three-time Super Bowl winning passer exploited the mismatch presented by bulldozing tight end Rob Gronkowski. Brady connected with Gronkowski on two of his four first half scoring throws.

For the game, Brady was 26-of-34 for 363 yards. Usually when a quarterback hurls six touchdowns, you would expect him to surpass the 400-yard mark. But Brady's performance brilliantly highlighted his greatest strengths.

The 34-year-old has always excelled with the short, timing-based passing game. Brady can string together a series of five-yard passes on a not particularly impressive looking drive. But before a defense knows it, they are watching a Patriots receiver spike the ball in the end zone. The Broncos know the feeling.

4. Eli Manning vs. San Francisco 49ers, NFC Championship

Eli Manning withstood a merciless beating at the hands of the rugged San Francisco 49ers defense and still managed to throw for his team's two touchdowns and lead the Giants to the Super Bowl.

Manning was sacked five times and took several more brutal hits. There were times at Candlestick Park when Big Blue's quarterback was swarmed upon as soon as he received the snap. But no matter how much punishment came his way, Manning simply wouldn't be denied.

Despite the heavy pressure, he put the ball in the air 58 times and completed 32 passes for 316 yards against an excellent 49ers secondary. Perhaps more impressive was the fact that Manning managed to protect the ball against a defense that tied for the league lead in forcing turnovers.

Manning's gutsy display of toughness in the clutch must finally lay to rest any lingering debate about his status as one of the elite quarterbacks of his generation. The fact that he delivered such a resolute performance in a conference championship against a top defense is why Manning's effort ranks one spot higher than Brady on this list.

3. Vince Wilfork vs. Baltimore Ravens, AFC Championship

New England Patriots defensive linchpin Vince Wilfork utterly dominated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game. The 6'2", 325-pounder toyed with the usually top notch Baltimore blocking schemes.

Not a single member of the Ravens powerful front five were able to handle Wilfork. The eighth-year pro created constant pressure on the pocket and was the driving force behind a Patriots run defense that held Ray Rice to just 3.2 yards per carry.

Wilfork's consistent penetration wrecked every phase of the Ravens offense. If the Giants don't have a plan for Wilfork, he could dominate the Super Bowl in the same way.

2. Demaryius Thomas vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, AFC Wild Card Round

Demaryius Thomas linked up with Tim Tebow to burn the Pittsburgh Steelers fearsome defense. The 6'3" 235-pound flanker torched Steelers corner Ike Taylor for a series of huge gains, including the decisive 80-yard score in overtime.

The 24-year-old punished Pittsburgh's gambling, press coverage. Thomas posted a monstrous 51-yard average per reception. In all, he collected four passes for 204-yards and was the main reason the Denver offense posted 29 points against the NFL's top-ranked defense.

Thomas damaged the credibility of the Steelers heavy blitzing schemes and the reputation of Taylor as one of the game's best cover men. Producing such an awesome individual performance against the league's best pass defense is worthy of granting Thomas the second spot on this list. 

1. Vernon Davis vs. New Orleans Saints, NFC Divisional Round

Vernon Davis finally produced a big-time performance to match his considerable talent when the temperamental tight end destroyed the New Orleans Saints defense.

The 27-year-old caught seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, to propel the upstart San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship game. Davis blazed past Saints defenders on his way to a 49-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

The 6'3", 250-pounder later capped a thrilling finish by hauling in a 14-yard score to win the game for Jim Harbaugh's team. Davis was the decisive factor in San Francisco's 36-point effort and ensured that the 49ers survived the test of the high-powered Saints.

The wild finish and his score in the dying seconds is sure to become the stuff of NFL playoff legend, rightfully giving Davis top spot on this list.