NFL Playoff Predictions: 4 Players Whose Experience Will Pay off Most

Winning a Super Bowl depends on a lot of different factors, but the most important one might be confidence. Confidence often comes from experience which helps players avoid any in-game jitters. The ability to avoid over-thinking and just play is underrated.

Playoff games have a lot more pressure than the regular season. The Super Bowl comes with even more pressure than a playoff game. Nothing can take the place of having Super Bowl experience. That experience often makes things a lot easier.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Tom Brady has 19 playoff games under his belt. He has been in a ton of pressure situations, and has performed well in those situations. No moment is to big for Brady, he is always in control and calm. Of course, this was developed over time. Those 19 playoff games have helped create Brady's icy blood.

Playoff appearances are one thing, but Super Bowl titles are another. Brady has three Super Bowl victories to his name. There isn't another quarterback in the league who can match that total. Brady's experience will be one of the keys to the Patriots Super Bowl hopes.

The younger players will look to Brady for guidance. He will provide them with a solid foundation, confidence and reassurance.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees is a fiery and vocal leader. He is the guy his teammates look to for inspiration, and he never fails to deliver. I am sure everyone has seen Brees' pregame speeches and motivational methods. This type of influence doesn't develop overnight. It comes from years of success, and of course a Super Bowl title.

The entire Saints football team can feel comfortable knowing they have an experienced quarterback under center. Brees has the experience of a Super Bowl run. That experience isn't wasted on Brees, as he is outspoken enough to use it to motivate his teammates.

New Orleans features several key players who were not on the roster for the last Super Bowl run. Jimmy Graham and Mark Ingram will need to lean on Brees to keep them at ease during the playoffs. The Saints cannot afford for these players to have game day jitters.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers is the last quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory. That success will really help the Packers confidence. They know that they can trust their quarterback to make good decisions and lead them to victory.

It also helps with the individual confidence of Rodgers himself. He is playing at a very high level, and has zero doubt that the Packers can repeat. This allows the entire team to feed off his confidence. They look to him for leadership, and he never fails to deliver.

A team playing with the thought that they can't lose can be a dangerous thing. Often times, doubt and lack of confidence can mean the difference in the outcome of a game.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Outside of Tom Brady, no other current quarterback has more playoff experience than Ben Roethlisberger. He has faced pressure situations early and often, leading the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in only his second season.

Roethlisberger is earning a reputation for his late game heroics, with the most impressive coming in Super Bowl XLIII. In that game, Roethlisberger led the Steelers on a last minute touchdown drive. The drive ended with a great catch and throw from Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes.

The Steelers feel very comfortable handing the ball to Roethlisberger in late game situations. He has proven time and again capable of winning the close game.