NFL Playoff Predictions: 10 Players Who Will Struggle In Round 2

The 2011 NFL playoffs are starting to heat up as we enter round two. Divisional rivals match-up in the AFC, while the NFC features three teams that didn't play better than .500 football last season.

After reviewing the match-ups, there are some clear advantages for some and glaring weaknesses for others.

Let's take a look at 10 players that will struggle mightily as the pressure and intensity cranks up.

10. James Jones: Packers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in

Jones has had a solid season catching balls from Aaron Rodgers. In the regular season, he had 679 receiving yards and five TDs.

In Sunday's Wild Card match-up against the Eagles, Jones was only able to haul in one catch for nine yards. On the plus side, it was in the end zone.

But Jones has been battling a thumb injury that hasn't been listed on the injury report. Many are speculating that's the reason he dropped a Rodgers' deep bomb right before halftime against Philadelphia. If he makes the catch, it's an easy TD and the Packers have an even bigger lead going to halftime.

Keep an eye on the thumb of Jones this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons.

9. Devin McCourty: Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by teammate Jerod Mayo #51 after McCourty intercepted a pass by the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/

McCourty had an outstanding rookie season for the Patriots.

Collecting 82 tackles and seven picks in his first season should really excite the fans in New England. But now it's the playoffs and you better believe the Jets will be trying to exploit him.

Santonio Holmes was suspended in the first match-up, but he was able to grab seven balls for 72 yards in Foxboro.

It's a speed on speed match-up that favors the veteran. Holmes has been to the playoffs numerous times in his career and has a Super Bowl ring to prove it. McCourty will have to be on the top of his game to stay with him.

If he has to defend Braylon Edwards, then it's a height mismatch. Edwards is 6'3" and McCourty is 5'10".

8. Matt Forte: Bears

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs against Bart Scott #57 and Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Ge

Forte was miserable against the Seahawks in their first match-up. The holes were not there as the Bears' offensive line really struggled.

How bad was it? Forte ran for a grand total of 11 yards on eight carries. That's a whopping 1.4 per carry.

Not going to get it done, especially if the Bears are unable to contain the Seahawks' pass rush.

David Hawthorne and Lofa Tatupu will be chomping at the bits.

7. Brandon Jackson: Packers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia,

Jackson has carried the load for the Packers ever since Ryan Grant went down way back in week one.

He amassed 703 yards and only 3.7 yards per carry. Against the Falcons in Atlanta earlier this season, Jackson only managed 26 yards on the ground.

The running game has been the achilles' heel of the Packers all season long and I don't expect them to magically find it against the number one seed in the NFC.

And after James Starks exploded for 123 yards against the Eagles and broke a franchise record for the most yards rushing by a rookie in a postseason game—don't expect much from Jackson.

6. Roddy White: Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons reaches for a catch during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

The season White put up deserves to be praised. He had 1,389 yards and 10 TDs for the best team in the NFC.

But now it's the playoffs.

QB Matt Ryan struggled in his only postseason performance and will now get his shot at redemption.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, the Packers front seven is outstanding and will be applying a ton of pressure to Ryan. In a Week 12 win, White failed to reach 50 yards receiving, which was his second worst performance of the season.

If Ryan is constantly getting pressured, he wont be looking for his deep threat. He will be looking for safety valves Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner.

The Packers will be able to keep White in check.

5. LaDainian Tomlinson: Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo by Jonat

Tomlinson played extremely well against the Colts in the first round. He averaged over five yards a carry in route to 82 yards and two TDs.

This hasn't been the norm in his career. He is typically hurt at this point in the season or worn down by his work load.

Head coach Rex Ryan has done a great job limiting Tomlinson's carries to ensure he stays fresh for the postseason.

But now he faces a Patriots' defense that will surely load up their front seven against L.T and the Jets' fourth ranked rushing attack. He had moderate success against the Pats this season, rushing for 123 yards in the two games.

Expect a combination of a solid Belichick defensive game-plan and an increasingly tired Tomlinson to ensue by the second half of the game.

L.T. has historically been below average in the playoffs, Sunday will be no different.

4. Ray Rice: Ravens

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Running back Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter of their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Misso

Rice will have his hands full against the historically stout Steelers' run defense. They have allowed only 62 yards per game on the ground this season—second in NFL history.

In the two games against Pittsburgh in 2010, Rice has a combined 52 yards rushing, averaging about three yards per carry with no TDs. The typically dangerous receiving back isn't much better catching passes out of the backfield against the Steelers, hauling in a mere three receptions for 27 yards.

If the Ravens want to establish the tempo, they will have to be successful in the run game and that starts with the Pro Bowler Rice.

But odds are James Harrison and company will have something to say about that.

3. Jay Cutler: Bears

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

It may have taken him five seasons, but Cutler is finally in the postseason.

Cutler has played above expectations in 2010. He still had 16 INTs and nine fumbles. His team caught a ton of breaks in route to the number two seed in the NFC.

People forget that the Seahawks were able to sack Cutler six times in a Seattle victory earlier this season. If the Bears can't protect Cutler, then he will be forced to make quicker decisions.

Does that sound like a good thing for one of the most prolific turnover machine in the past five NFL seasons?

If Seattle can keep up the pressure, I expect Cutler to crumble.

2. Marshawn Lynch: Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter as Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints misses a tackle during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest F

Lynch had one of the most memorable TD runs in postseason history last week and is on top of the world. Everybody knows who "Beast Mode" is now.

But his stats don't lie.

He never rushed for more than 89 yards in the regular season despite being the featured back in Seattle for the final 12 games of the season. Take out a three TD game against the 2-14 Panthers, and Lynch only collected three TDs for the season.

The other problem is the stellar Bears' run defense. Chicago ranks second in the NFL, allowing 90 yards a game.

Lynch has had a great week, but the good feelings will vanish this Sunday.

1. Mark Sanchez: Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets drops back to pass against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Pho

Sanchez had one of the best days of his career in a week two win against the Pats. He threw for 220 yards, three TDs, and the key—zero interceptions.

The problem with Sanchez has been his inability to take care of the ball. It reared its ugly head in the second game between the two AFC East rivals. Barely completing 50 percent of his passes, Sanchez threw for 164 yards and three picks in a blow-out loss.

The play of Sanchez is the difference between the Jets winning and losing.

Sanchez didn't play well until the very end of the Colts playoff win. His inability to put a consistent four quarter performance is very troubling. It's compounded by the fact that he is facing the defensive mastermind, Bill Belichick.

The Patriots will crank up the pressure and Sanchez will have to run for his life. With the home crowd in Foxboro roaring and the cold air swirling, expect Sanchez to have a miserable late afternoon.