NFL Playoffs: Michael Vick, Drew Brees, & Game Changers This Wild Card Weekend

Wild Card weekend is fast approaching and as we prepare to take in four of the season's most critical match ups let us first examine some of the names likely to leave an imprint on the outcomes.

Many players' contributions this weekend will go unnoticed. Whether it's because they don't get the recognition they deserve, or because they just aren't game changers.

The following players are however, so join B/R as we break them down before the postseason kicks off.

Clay Matthews

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers awaits the start of play against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

Green Bay's fast-morphing defense is lead by second-year linebacker Clay Matthews. Matthews is arguably the league's most talented edge rusher.

Matthews has given opposing offenses nightmares in 2010 with his 13.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Matthews had three sacks against Green Bay's next opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, in week one of he regular season.

Matthews will be key for the Packers in slowing Michael Vick on Sunday evening. If he can pressure the Eagles' quarterback early and often then Vick will be forced out of the pocket increasing the likelihood of mistakes.

Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

At one point this season it seemed like Michael Vick was untouchable. The Eagles' quarterback showed the flashes of brilliance which we had been accustomed to seeing in Atlanta over four seasons ago.

Vick surprised everyone with his arm and overall control of the offense, not to mention his ball security. As of late however Vick and the Philadelphia offense have lost some steam and head into the postseason as underdogs.

Vick has been pressured far too often this season and now the turnovers are beginning to catch up with the Philly offense. Still, Vick brings the home threat to every ball game and can change a game on any given play. All it takes is one missed tackle in the backfield.

Jamaal Charles

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 21, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kansas City's Jamaal Charles is a game changer in the back field. Charles averages 6.4 yards per carry for the Chiefs this season and 10.4 yards per reception.

Charles could be the biggest threat to the Baltimore Ravens' defense on Sunday afternoon. Charles is a powerful runner with plenty of speed and can turn the tide with a touch.

Charles has nearly 1,500 yards on the ground in 2010 and almost 500 yards through the air. Kansas City's success will lay heavily on the shoulders of Jamaal Charles this weekend. Maybe that's an understatement.

Drew Brees

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints walks off the field in the second half during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Gett

This one needs very little thought. Last year's Super Bowl MVP, Drew Brees, has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Brees threw for over 4,600 yards in 2010.

Though his 22 interceptions are a little uncharacteristic, he does have over 650 pass attempts this season. Brees 68.1 completion percentage also speaks for itself.

The Seahawks are playing at home this Saturday night but their defense will need all the help they can get to slow Drew Brees and the plethora of weapons at his disposal.

Ed Reed

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Baltimore's Ed Reed is likely the father of the art of game changing. Reed looks to score after every interception or fumble recovery.

There is nothing more terrifying then a tipped ball or a sailing pass against the Ravens. There is usually a 100% chance that Ed Reed will find the ball and start one of the most entertaining sequences in sports.

Reed will navigate his way to the end zone and sometimes call on a teammate in the form of a lateral to score if he can't.

Santonio Holmes

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets runs after catching a pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Santonio Holmes, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, has been the game saver as well as changer for the New York Jets on more than one occasion this season.

Holmes missed the Jets' first four games of 2010 after being suspended in the off-season, but quickly fit in with the New York offense after a series of game winning plays in the fourth quarter of close games.

Holmes has a history of coming up huge in big games. Just ask the Arizona Cardinals.

Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning has had a gritty season with the Colts this year. Indianapolis has been decimated by injuries yet they are still hosting a playoff game.

Manning has held the Colts' offense together with glue and duct tape in 2010. Manning tossed 33 touchdowns this season and chucked the rock for exactly 4,700 yards.

Without Manning under center on Saturday night, there is no game to be changed for the Colts. He is that crucial to Indianapolis' success.

Mike Williams

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Mike Williams #17 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto G

Seattle's Mike Williams hasn't been incredible this season, but for the 7-9 Seahawks he has been just good enough.

The Seahawks limped into the playoffs with a losing record and are predicted to go out quietly against the defending Super Bowl champions at home.

Williams is Seattle's leading receiver in 2010 with 65 receptions but has only scored twice for the Hawks. Williams will ultimately be Seattle's go to guy through the air however, thus identifying him with the burden of Saturday night's game changer.

Aaron Rodgers

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Rodgers is the Green Bay Packers offense. The team has lost several game changing faces like Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant to injuries this season, but still Rodgers remains.

The Packers' quarterback has a quick release and plenty of guts to make the big throw when it counts. In Rodgers only playoff game, a loss last season to Arizona, he threw the ball extremely well and nearly won it for Green Bay after trailing by 21-points in the second half.

DeSean Jackson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

DeSean Jackson's game changing ability is not even a question. The Eagles' speedster single-handedly finished the Giants off three weeks ago and has the highest receiving average in the league.

Jackson combines with Vick to create the ultimate play making connection and makes sure the Eagles are never out of a game.

Jackson's speed and vision make him almost impossible to defend and will likely give the Packer defense fits on Sunday evening.

Dwayne Bowe

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball after making a catch on a 75 yard touchdown play during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mis

Dwayne Bowe has been a scoring machine for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010. Bowe leads all receivers with 15 touchdowns this season.

Bowe's playoff experience is at a minimum obviously but his skills and game changing abilities can not be denied. Expect Bowe to be targets often against Baltimore on Sunday. The Ravens' pass defense is suspect, very good, but still suspect at times.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.