Predicting the Top 10 Performers of the NFL's Divisional Round

We're down to the final eight teams in contention for the Super Bowl, which means each week brings more compelling action for the fans. It also means plenty of opportunities for players to step up and become legends in their respective cities.

This weekend's football slate features some highly anticipated games, from the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs heading to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to veteran quarterbacks battling it out in Denver. And that's only the AFC games.

The NFC features two regular-season rematches and four veteran quarterbacks hungry for a Super Bowl victory.

So who is going to step up and play a key role this weekend? I'm glad you asked, as I have composed a list of 10 players I believe will exceed expectations on the gridiron.

These rankings are based on each player's productivity throughout the year, the difficulty of their matchup as well as their typical performances in playoff games.

While every player has not seen as much postseason action as some of the veterans, their performance down the stretch of the regular season weighs into these rankings as well.

Let's get to the list!

Honorable Mention: Larry Fitzgerald, Tyler Lockett, Luke Kuechly

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

Larry Fitzgerald has had one of the most incredible career resurgences in recent memory. After falling off the radar due to poor quarterback play in recent years, Fitzgerald has come back with a vengeance this season, catching 109 balls for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns.

The only reason he doesn't make the list is that I expect a balanced Arizona attack on offense that will focus more on David Johnson and the running game than putting up big numbers through the air.

Tyler Lockett has burst onto the scene in his rookie season, partly due to his incredible punt-returning skills, but also for his versatility on offense. The former Kansas State Wildcat caught 51 balls for 664 yards and six touchdowns this season, while also returning a punt and a kickoff for a score.

Lockett doesn't quite make the list due to the challenges Carolina's secondary presents for the passing game, but don't be shocked if this rookie sensation has an impact on special teams.

Luke Kuechly has been the heart and soul of one of the NFL's top defenses all year long. He faces a patchwork Seahawks offensive line that has struggled to protect Russell Wilson all season. While I do expect Kuechly to be extremely active on Sunday, I also believe Seattle will try to game-plan away from him.

Expect Kuechly to record plenty of tackles and be a force in the middle of the field, but I doubt many run or pass plays will be in the direction of this All-Pro linebacker.

10. Travis Kelce

With Jeremy Maclin banged-up, it’ll be up to Travis Kelce to provide a consistent threat in the Chiefs passing game. The first-time Pro Bowler came up huge in Kansas City's wild-card victory over the Houston Texans, bringing in eight catches for 128 yards in the 30-0 romp.

New England is almost certainly going to be more productive on offense than the Texans (it would be hard not to), which means Kansas City will need to move the ball consistently and score points.

Andy Reid has likely developed a game plan revolving around his star tight end, and I fully expect Kelce to have a big game on Saturday.

9. Tom Brady

He’s carried the New England Patriots through the regular season, so why change the script here in the playoffs? Kansas City's vaunted defense certainly will be a difficult hurdle for the Pats to overcome, but they have the right guy under center to lead them to victory.

With the way the Patriots played the last time New England and Kansas City met in 2014, I anticipate Brady will be ready to erase that memory on Saturday.

Having a full complement of wide receivers for the first time in weeks will help get the offense rolling and allow for Brady to have a big day through the air.

8. Martavis Bryant

No Antonio Brown, no problem for the Steelers passing attack. Well, no problem when your “second” option can catch touchdowns while somersaulting in the end zone.

The second-year receiver out of Clemson has battled some consistency issues this year, but will be called upon to be a major factor against a dominant Broncos pass defense on Sunday.

If Ben Roethlisberger and his sore shoulder are able to throw deep balls consistently, Bryant will likely be the guy tasked with coming down with them.

Bryant has proven he has the athleticism to be a top-tier NFL wide receiver, but this weekend will prove if he can step up as the main option in Pittsburgh's passing attack.

7. Spencer Ware

The Chiefs running game was supposed to fall apart when Jamaal Charles saw his season come to an end due to a torn ACL. However, thanks to the Ware and Charcandrick West, tandem, Kansas City has remained balanced on offense and found great success in the running game.

Ware has proven to be the more elusive of the two options, averaging 5.6 yards per carry this season while also finding the end zone six times on the ground.

New England's rush defense ranked ninth in the NFL in terms of yards allowed, so it could be tough sledding for the Chiefs. However, if Kansas City is able to establish the run early, Ware could play a big role in determining the outcome of this one.

6. Greg Olsen

Cam Newton’s favorite target will have to come up big on Sunday to keep the Panthers incredible season alive. In his first matchup against Seattle, Olsen tallied seven catches and 131 yards along with the game-winning touchdown in a 27-23 nail-biter.

Seattle's pass defense is one of the NFL's stingiest, allowing the second-fewest yards through the air this season.

However, Olsen has a knack for finding the holes in a defense, and you can bet Newton will be looking for him all game long.

5. Julian Edelman

He's finally back!

At least that's probably what Tom Brady is thinking now that one of his favorite targets is returning from a broken foot.

In the eight-and-a-half games before Edelman was injured, the 5'10'' receiver brought in 61 catches for 692 yards and seven touchdowns.

While some might expect Edelman to ease back into the offense, I believe he'll be a major part of New England's offensive attack on Saturday and should contribute frequently on offense.

In a game that has the potential to come down to the final minutes, Edelman will serve as a reliable third-down target as well as a consistent red-zone threat.

4. James Jones

James Jones came up big in the Packers' wild-card win over Washington, and he will likely be a favorite target of Aaron Rodgers on Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona's pass defense ranks eighth in the NFL, which could make it tough for the Packers offense to get moving early. However, the Packers seemed to find a groove on offense in last weekend's win, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep that up against Patrick Peterson and this fearsome secondary.

After how poorly Green Bay performed just three weeks ago on the same field, you can bet Aaron Rodgers will be anxious to have some success against Arizona through the air.

If Rodgers is able to perform at the level we are accustomed to seeing, Jones will likely be the beneficiary and bring in a majority of those throws.

3. Demaryius Thomas

Demaryius Thomas has a history of clutch catches against Pittsburgh in the playoffs, and Denver will need him to continue with another prime-time performance against an ailing Steelers squad.

Despite the absences of DeAngelo Williams and Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh seems to always find ways to score points. Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense will need to be at their best on Sunday night, which means Thomas is likely a key component of Denver's game plan.

The sixth-year man out of Georgia Tech made 105 receptions for 1,304 yards and six touchdowns this year and will be a matchup nightmare for Pittsburgh's secondary.

If Manning is given enough time to throw, expect to see Demaryius Thomas on the receiving end on multiple occasions.

2. Russell Wilson

Not much needs to be said about Russell Wilson's greatness.

He seems to shine in the biggest moments and has shown the ability to create jaw-dropping moments with his elusiveness and rocket arm.

Given that he won't be playing on an ice rink as he was last weekend, I expect Wilson to look more like the quarterback who threw 24 touchdowns and just one interception over the final seven weeks of the regular season than the one who struggled against Minnesota in the Wild Card Game.

Points might be at a premium against a stingy Carolina defense, but Wilson has a knack for making plays, and I have a feeling that will continue on Sunday.

1. Cam Newton

Newton struggled against the Seahawks when the teams met in October, but Carolina still came away with a victory. The reason Cam finds himself atop this list is that he has thrown 24 touchdowns to just three interceptions since November.

Nobody has outplayed Cam in the final weeks of the regular season, and it's now time for him to prove he can get it done in the playoffs.

With last year's divisional-round elimination against Seattle still fresh in his mind, I anticipate Newton will play much better than many would expect against a tough Seahawks defense and lead his team to the NFC Championship Game.