NFL Divisional Playoffs: Predicting Each Quarterback's Fate This Weekend

It's not always the team with the best quarterback that ends up winning in the postseason.

Trent Dilfer picked up the Vince Lombardi Trophy as quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. All he needed was a generational defense behind him for the Ravens to get the job done against the New York Giants.

A couple of years later, Brad Johnson played a key role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they defeated the Oakland Raiders and got a chance to hoist the glistening award.

Johnson, a couple of notches better than Dilfer, still did not compare with the best quarterbacks in the game. But he also had a defense behind him that came up with a stellar effort on a nearly every-week basis.

Despite those two examples to the contrary, it usually takes an exceptional performance by an elite quarterback to survive and advance in the playoffs. With the divisional round at hand, we take a look at how the quarterbacks of the eight teams competing are likely to perform this weekend.

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

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The Kansas City Chiefs are rolling, having won 11 straight games, and Alex Smith has been a key performer for head coach Andy Reid.

While the Chiefs don't have a wide-open or dynamic offense, they are not one-dimensional either. Smith has done an excellent job of throwing the ball accurately and keeping drives alive with timely passes to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce.

Smith completed 65.7 percent of his passes in the regular season and had a 20-7 TD-interception ratio. His ability to avoid turnovers is one of the key reasons the Chiefs were able to overcome a 1-5 start.

While most teams are intimidated when they go to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots, the Chiefs have excellent leadership from Reid and Smith and too much momentum for that to happen.

However, Maclin has a high ankle sprain, and it is very unlikely he will be at his best here. That will impact Smith's ability to make key plays.

Smith's predicted fate: Smith will not reach the 200-yard mark in this game. He will throw one TD pass and avoid interceptions, but that won't be enough against the Patriots. The Chiefs' run ends in New England and Smith's season comes to an end.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots

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After starting the season with 10 straight wins, the New England Patriots have cooled considerably and lost four of their last six games.

However, the veteran leadership of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady has led New England to four Super Bowl titles, and it would be ridiculous to predict the Patriots' demise at this point.

After winning the Super Bowl a year ago, the Patriots are likely to be re-energized for this home playoff game in Foxborough. While the Chiefs must contend with an injury to Maclin, the Patriots appear to be getting healthier.

Wide receiver Julian Edelman has been out since suffering a Week 9 foot injury against the New York Giants, but he has been practicing this week and is expected to play against the Chiefs. So are tight end Rob Gronkowski and wideout Danny Amendola.

That should give Brady the array of weapons that makes him such a dangerous passer.

Brady's predicted fate: It may take awhile for Brady to find his rhythm, but by the second quarter he will feel comfortable throwing to Edelman and Co. Look for him to throw for 275 yards and three TDs as the Pats advance to the AFC title game.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

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Aaron Rodgers is used to finishing the season at the top of the ladder when it comes to passing yards, completion percentage, touchdowns and big plays.

That was not the case in 2015. The Green Bay Packers struggled to play consistent offensive football in the second half of the season and lost six of their last 10 regular-season games. The normally prolific passing game ranked 25th out of commissioner Roger Goodell's 32 teams. 

Things were not going well for the Packers in their wild-card game at Washington last Sunday. They fell behind, 11-0, in the second quarter and it looked like their stay in the playoffs would be short and not so sweet.

But the Packers offense suddenly found itself, and Rodgers was putting the ball on the money to wide receivers James Jones, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. The Packers rallied from their deficit to record a 35-18 win at Washington.

The Packers have a much tougher assignment Saturday night at Arizona. The second-seeded Cardinals defeated the Packers 38-8 in Week 16, and they have had a remarkable season.

Rodgers' predicted fate: Few are giving Rodgers and the Packers much of a chance against the powerful and consistent Cardinals. But Rodgers and the Packers lit the fuse of their dormant offense in Washington, and they will continue to play well here. Rodgers will throw for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns. The game will be close into the fourth quarter, but the Packers won't be able to pull it out. The season ends here for Rodgers.

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

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Few teams come into the playoffs playing any better than the Arizona Cardinals.

They have been consistent all season, and they have taken their lead from quarterback Carson Palmer, who threw for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdown passes.

The Cardinals had the top-ranked offense in the league this season, and they are hungry to go on a run during the postseason. A year ago, Bruce Arians' team was hamstrung by injuries and the Cardinals were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round.

That's not going to happen here. Arians and Palmer will have to guard against overconfidence after pounding Green Bay just a few weeks ago, but the Cardinals have too much riding on this game to let it slip away at home.

This will be a much closer game than their 38-8 Week 16 victory.

Palmer's predicted fate: Palmer will hit the big throws he needs to, particularly in the second half. He will throw for 300 yards and three TDs as the Cardinals take charge in the fourth quarter and win the game.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

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If there's one playoff game to watch this weekend, the matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers may be the one not to miss.

The Seahawks are the two-time defending NFC Champions, and if not for one play at the end of Super Bowl XLIX, they would almost certainly be two-time defending Super Bowl champions.

After a slow start, the Seahawks had an impressive 6-1 finish to the regular season, and Russell Wilson was the key to that surge. He threw 24 TD passes in those seven games with just one interception as the Seahawks changed their offensive game plan and became an explosive, big-play team.

Wilson has developed a rapport with wide receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks should be at their best against a very strong Carolina defense.

Wilson's predicted fate: On the final play of the game, Wilson and the Seahawks will be trailing by five points. They will have the ball on the Carolina 45-yard line. Wilson will take the shotgun snap and drift off to his right. He will loft the ball into the end zone and Baldwin will go up to try to high point the ball. However, Josh Norman will knock it down at the last minute and Wilson's season will be over.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

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The Carolina Panthers earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs after going 15-1 in the regular season.

As they get set to begin the postseason, Cam Newton is the likely MVP of the league after a spectacular season. Newton threw 35 TD passes this year even though the Panthers did not have a true No. 1 wideout, and he also ran for 10 touchdowns.

More than the statistics, Newton seemed to be able to make big plays whenever his team needed to make a statement. That included the Panthers' Week 6 game at Seattle, when Newton threw a late TD pass to tight end Greg Olsen that helped give the Panthers a signature 27-23 victory.

Despite their success, the Panthers have not necessarily convinced the public that they are going to dominate in the postseason. Even though they are playing at home Sunday, they are just 2.5-point favorites over the Seahawks, according to Odds Shark.

That's not a lot of respect. Expect Newton and head coach Ron Rivera to fire their team up and have it ready to play a sensational game.

Newton's predicted fate: Newton will have a huge game with 300 yards, two passing TDs and one more on the ground. However, the Panthers won't be able to shake the Seahawks. It will come down to one Hail Mary throw that the Panthers will successfully defend. The Panthers advance to the NFC Championship game.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Ben Roethlisberger will get a chance to travel with his team to Denver for it divisional playoff game, but will he be able to play and how effective will he be if he can line up under center?

Roethlisberger suffered a nasty AC joint sprain as well as torn ligaments in his right shoulder in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 18-16 wild-card win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Roethlisberger did not practice Wednesday, but if he can play on Sunday, he will be facing the No. 1 defense in the league. The Steelers are also contending with injuries to running back DeAngelo Williams and superstar wideout Antonio Brown. 

If Roethlisberger can't play, it will be a significant drop to backup Landry Jones.

Roethlisberger's predicted fate: Big Ben will find a way to gut/grit it out and start against the Broncos. He will inspire his team and they will be within three points at halftime even though he won't be able to throw the ball more than 15 yards downfield. However, when the Steelers fall behind by double digits, head coach Mike Tomlin will be forced to bring in Jones. 

Look for Roethlisberger to throw for 125 yards and one TD with two interceptions before he gets removed. Jones will have one decent drive, but it won't be enough. The Steelers lose by 14 points.

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

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Every once in a while, the NFL can produce a storybook ending where the injured, aging veteran can rally his team and produce a miracle finish that rekindles memories of the star's glory days.

The script is set for that kind of game from Peyton Manning against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, don't expect Manning to follow the script to the letter. He is an aging quarterback who has taken too many hits at this point in his career. He is smart enough to take advantage of his ability to find weaknesses in the defense, but his lack of arm strength is a major issue.

However, the Steelers have too many injuries to compete for 60 minutes here. Look for Manning to take advantage of the gifts his defense gives him.

Manning's predicted fate: The future Hall of Famer will lead the Denver Broncos to three touchdowns after turnovers or big special teams plays. None of the drives will be longer than 50 yards. Manning will throw for 165 yards and two touchdowns as the Broncos advance to the AFC title game.