NFL Playoffs 2011: Potential Top Performers For Round 2

After one round there are now only eight teams left standing. With four on each side, the separation that we've been anticipating is about to happen. Finally, we will find out who will emerge this season and win Super Bowl XLV.

Both teams that were in last year's Super Bowl are out already as New Orleans and Indianapolis each went down in shocking fashion Saturday night. 

Seattle's Marshawn Lynch blasted through the Saints' defense for an epic run that sealed the game. This run guaranteed a new champion this season, when Lynch went through seven(!) would-be tacklers for the score.

In Indianapolis' case, Nick Folk became a "folk" hero. Folk's field goal in the waning seconds ended another Colt playoff appearance in disappointment.

This weekend's AFC matchups present a pair of divisional rivals. The New York Jets will travel to Foxboro and the Baltimore Ravens head north to Pittsburgh.

In the NFC, it's still anybody's conference. Green Bay held off Philadelphia and will now head to Atlanta.  Historically, the Falcons' Matt Ryan is flawless in the Georgia Dome. This doesn't bode well for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. 

And in a surprise matchup, the Seattle Seahawks will head to Chicago for a date with the Bears.

Here are some players who will shine above the rest this weekend.

Troy Polamalu

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball after catching an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerh

Troy Polamalu could be in for a big weekend. Now healthy, Polamalu needs to deliver for Pittsburgh.

He loves playing against the Ravens and basically won the game for Pittsburgh in their last meeting. The Steelers took the lead for good in that epic game when Polamalu bombarded Joe Flacco for the sack and eventual TD.

That was a hard-hitting brawl in Baltimore and expect their game this weekend to be just as nasty.

Polamalu is hoping to be the same disruptive force that he's always been. He's had some of his best games against Baltimore and will look to do it again this Saturday. I expect Polamalu to run wild around the field and force the Ravens to game-plan specifically with him in mind. 

Ray Lewis

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Get

Ray Lewis is that same exact force on the Ravens' defense. These two teams may despise each other, but they definitely have respect. Their defenses alone have been the cause of such an epic rivalry over the years. Lewis has played a huge part in this and been a mainstay for Baltimore.

Lewis could throw Pittsburgh's entire offensive game-plan off. They will look to keep the Raven defense at bay with quick pass plays and some runs early.

As usual, whichever team controls the game on the ground will likely win. Lewis will definitely be looking for another very strong playoff performance for the Ravens.

Tom Brady

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks for a receiver against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Tom Brady is the consensus league MVP and now looks to get to work in the playoffs. First, he will have to run through the Jets again as he did not too long ago on Monday Night Football.

The rivalry between these two teams is intense: They don't like each other. Not even a little bit.

Rex Ryan will likely get his jabs in at Brady and Co. all week, but it will only matter on the field though.  And on the field, Brady is a one-of-a-kind.

Brady has a full load of weapons at his disposal and will look to utilize them early and often. If he continues to play mistake-free football as he has all season, they can't lose. Brady's ability to expose Darrelle Revis in their last meeting was special. Unlike their first meeting, Revis was a non-factor.

Brady will continue his exceptional play for at least another week. Probably more though. 

LaDainian Tomlinson

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets celebrates after he scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Ja

LaDainian Tomlinson should be the top performer for New York. He will the premiere player in their game-plan once again. His two touchdowns last weekend kept their season alive and Tomlinson now looks to do much of the same to again keep their miracle year moving.

Without a doubt, Darrelle Revis is their X-factor on Sunday. He hasn't performed up to par this season and has zero interceptions. Revis became a household name in 2009 and established himself as the game's best cover corner. 

Tomlinson is now playing to prolong his career. His season in New York was special and may have opened eyes along the way.

He's got at least one more big performance in him. That could come this Sunday.

Brian Urlacher

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears looks to the sideline in between plays against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots beat the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Dilip Vish

Brian Urlacher is one of the best linebackers the sport has ever seen. He's the defensive leader of the Chicago Bears and always comes to play in the postseason.

Urlacher will clog up the middle to take Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett out of the equation and the Bears won't miss tackles like the Saints did. Urlacher will be a game-changer.

The Bears' defense will be raring to play having not played a meaningful game in nearly a month. Also, their special teams could be a major difference in this game.  

Matt Hasselbeck

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks throws the ball in the second half against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Phot

Matt Hasselbeck emerged and had a huge return game against the defending champions last weekend.  People said it was tough to play at Qwest Field but who believed them? Especially since they were facing New Orleans.

Hasselbeck now looks to continue his playoff magic in Chicago. This is another daunting task for the 7-9 Seahawks, and America will definitely be rooting for the underdogs.

To pull this one off, they will need another "lights out" game from Hasselbeck to grant their wishes.

Don't look for a shootout in this game although that would play into Seattle's advantage.  

Clay Matthews

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a sack against the Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelp

Clay Matthews will likely win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Green Bay's defensive leader has had a very special season for a linebacker. In Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme, Matthews has become a monster.  

At 24, Matthews will only continue to improve.  But for now, in just his second season, 14 sacks sounds pretty good. Matthews has true "football sense" and a nose for the ball to boot.  

This football thing is in his bloodlines. His uncle was "Iron Man" Bruce Matthews. His father, Clay Jr. was also an NFL linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. Dating back even further, his grandfather played offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers.    

Matt Ryan

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Matt Ryan is about to explode into a true elite quarterback even though he doesn't get the Drew Brees/Tom Brady/Peyton Manning type of recognition. Ryan is an absolute gamer and always seems to lead the Falcons to victory in the Georgia Dome.  

The words "Ryan" and "Georgia Dome" have become synonymous as he's posted a 20-2 record there.   On Saturday, he will play his first playoff home game and will look to guide the surprise Falcons into the NFC championship game.  

However, even Ryan's best may not be enough to stop the Packers, who are the hungriest and most dangerous team in the NFC right now.

This one has all the makings to be a great game this weekend.  

Questions, Comments?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets does a flip in celebration of the Jets 17-16 win against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis,

Leave them all here as always and thanks for reading.  

Hopefully my picks this weekend turn out much better than the first round picks.