2011 NFL Playoffs: 10 Players Who Will Choke On the Big Stage

The stage is as big as it has been all season long in the NFL. Four teams are left to play two games this weekend to determine who's going to Dallas to play in the Super Bowl.

The pressure's a little more now, the stakes are a little higher, and the consequences are greater.

Somebody is going to succumb to the pressure. Who's it going to be?

Here are 10 players that could break down in the biggest games of the year so far.

10. Matt Forte, Bears Running Back

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

In the last game of the regular season, the Bears played the Packers and Forte had a great day. He carried 15 times for 90 yards and made eight catches for 60 yards.

But remember what happened when the two teams met the first time around? Forte had 14 touches for 43 yards.

He hasn't scored against the Packers this season. He's not going to get it going this week either, putting the pressure on quarterback Jay Cutler.

9. Wayne Hunter, Jets Offensive Tackle

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Wayne Hunter #78 of the New York Jets looks on against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Steeler linebackers James Harrison and Lamar Woodley are going to get to Mark Sanchez at some point on Sunday. It seems inevitable.

But somebody is going to let it happen. It's not going to be left tackle D'brickashaw Ferguson at left tackle.

No, it's going to be Hunter. Harrison and Woodley will take turns blitzing the right side until Hunter can't take it anymore and gets beat. And when he gets beat once, it may be just the start.

8. Mike Wallace, Steelers Wide Receiver

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Ima

A familiar sight for Steelers fans is Mike Wallace blazing into open space and making a secondary look silly. He did it against the Jets earlier this season with seven catches for 102 yards.

But that was the regular season. Darrelle Revis won't let that happen again.

Revis now has a game of experience against Wallace to work with. Wallace better get his towel ready, because he's taking a trip to Revis Island.

7. Charlie Peprah, Packers Strong Safety

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Charlie Peprah #26 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The Packers defeated the Jets 9-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

Bears tight end Greg Olsen just had his biggest game of the season against the Seahawks, catching three passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Now it's Charlie Peprah's turn to try to shut him down. Peprah will get help from quarterbacks and fellow safety Nick Collins, but a lot of the burden will be on him.

Olsen has caught five passes only three times season; two came against the Pack.

6. Olin Krentz, Bears Center

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: (L-R) J'Marcus Webb #73 and Roberto Garza #63 of the Chicago Bears await the snap of Olin Kreutz #57 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (P

The Bears running game hasn't been spectacular this season. It's been solid but not what an NFC Championship Game participant usually relies on.

Olin Kreutz is at the center of the line responsible for making holes and protecting the quarterback.

Unfortunately for Kreutz, he'll have big ole B.J. Raji right in his grill for much of the night. It's a tremendous challenge. Can Kreutz handle it?

5. Antonio Cromartie, Jets Corner

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets lines up against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Congratulations, Antonio Cromartie. You've made the AFC Championship Game. Your reward is to square off with the most physical wide receiver in the NFL, Hines Ward.

Cromartie isn't exactly a tackling prototype. He's taken flack for that part of his game in the past. Now he is being asked to buckle up his chinstrap and hang in for a game with Ward, who usually likes his competitions with corners to resemble a referee-less wrestling match.

This just can't end well for Cromartie.

4. James Starks, Packers Running Back

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs down field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ch

Welcome to the NFL, kid. Now lead our running game through the playoffs.

That's what has been asked of Starks and he's responded well. But he's not going to respond well on this stage against this Bears defense.

Get ready for another Aaron Rodgers aerial attack. It's the way the Pack will have to win.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Jets Running Back

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs for a touchdown during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/

The last and only time LT was in an AFC Championship Game, he carried twice for five yards against the Patriots in 2008 due to injury.

He's healthy physically now. But will he be mentally ready to face Pittsburgh?

There is a lot of pressure on Tomlinson. He's career is winding down and if he wants to make it to the Super Bowl, this may be his last serious chance. Can he handle it?

2. Jay Cutler, Bears Quarterback

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears during pregame before the Bears take on the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons

Cutler is going to have the offense heaped on his shoulders against the Bears' arch-rivals that he failed to eliminate once from playoff contention already this season.

It's all for a chance to play in the Super Bowl, as well.

There are plenty of quarterbacks that make fans confident in that situation. Jay Cutler, however, isn't one of them yet.

1. Tim Masthay, Packers Punter

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Tim Masthay #8 of the Green Bay Packers punts the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

It's really simple, Tim. When a Bears player wearing No. 23 stands back waiting for your punt, kick it out of bounds.

Chicago will be hoping Devin Hester can create momentum with one of his scintillating returns. Masthay just has to make sure Hester doesn't get the chance.

Green Bay will be hoping the point is moot as it was last week when the Packers didn't punt once against the Falcons.