NFL Playoffs: Aaron Rodgers and the Top 10 Impact Players for This Weekend
The 2011 NFL playoffs start this weekend with a slate of four games. The New York Jets will play the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints will take on the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers will play the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens will take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
So, which players must have good games in order for their teams to win?
Here's a list of the top 10 impact players for this weekend.
10. Clay Matthews
1 of 10
Matthews is going to need to have one heck of a game if the Packers defense is going to have any chance of stopping Michael Vick.
He'll need to get plenty of pressure on Vick, but more importantly, he'll need to make sure he keeps Vick contained within the pocket.
If Vick gets room to run, the Packers will be in for a long afternoon.
9. Pierre Garcon
2 of 10
We all know that Peyton Manning is the key to the Colts' success.
But, if Manning has no one to throw to, he can't be successful.
Garcon needs to find some openings in the Jets defense and make some big plays.
If he can't do that, the Colts offense won't put up many points.
8. Marshawn Lynch
3 of 10
If the Seahawks are going to have any chance of beating the Saints on Saturday, they'll need to establish the running game.
They can't let the Saints play them as a one-dimensional team.
If Lynch can't get some yards running, the passing game is going to have trouble moving the ball.
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7. Derrick Mason
4 of 10
The Ravens' veteran wide receiver is going to need to show some leadership in Kansas City.
The Chiefs are tough to beat at home, so flawless execution is necessary to succeed.
There aren't many receivers in the NFL who are better route runners than Mason.
He'll need to be Joe Flacco's safety net on Sunday.
6. Jamaal Charles
5 of 10
It's no secret that Charles is the key to the Chiefs offense. If you stop him, you stop the Chiefs.
The Ravens know that, so they'll be stacking the box every chance they get.
Charles must still find running lanes somehow. If he is ineffective, it'll be a long day for the Chiefs.
5. Dwayne Bowe
6 of 10
Bowe is the Chiefs' only true threat in the passing game.
Cassel is just a mediocre quarterback if Bowe isn't involved.
But, when he gets going, this offense is exciting.
Against the Ravens' weak secondary, Bowe is going to need to have a really big game.
4. Drew Brees
7 of 10
Brees will have plenty of options in the passing game this weekend.
He'll have Robert Meachem, Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Jimmy Graham at his disposal against a weak Seattle pass defense.
The one thing he can't afford to do is throw interceptions. He has to crush the Seahawks early and often.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson
8 of 10
Mark Sanchez is going to struggle if the weight of the offense falls on his shoulders.
Therefore, Tomlinson is going to have to have a big game to put the Colts' focus on stopping the run.
That'll open up passing lanes for Sanchez.
2. Michael Vick
9 of 10
Vick is the Philadelphia Eagles.
If the Packers can stop him, they have a great shot of stopping the Eagles.
But, the only reason Vick isn't No. 1 on this list is because of LeSean McCoy.
McCoy is a more capable runner than anyone on the Packers, so if the game turns into a ground battle, the Eagles hold a tremendous advantage.
1. Aaron Rodgers
10 of 10
The Packers simply can't run the football.
That puts the entire offensive load squarely on the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers.
If he can't find ways to move the football through the air, the Packers have absolutely no shot of advancing in this year's playoffs.
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