NFL Playoff Predictions: 10 NFL Players Who Could Shake Up the Playoffs

The NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape as teams position themselves for a run at the Super Bowl.

Teams on the National Football League have three weeks to establish an identity, a game plan and a leader whom they will follow into the postseason.

Obvious names that will make an impact include Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and the like.

However, this list details potential X-factors that could tip the scales toward their teams at crunch time.

In other words, stars in the making that have yet to lead their squads to the hoisting of the Lombardi Trophy. 

Ray Rice

While young and still promising, quarterback Joe Flacco has not shown the capability to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a world championship.

The success of the Ravens rests on the shoulders of Ray Rice.

If he was solely a ground threat, that would hardly be enough for Baltimore. However, given Rice's prowess in the passing game and running game, the Ravens can rely on Rice to carry the offensive load.

Rice already has surpassed his career high in total touchdowns this season. Continuing his increased involvement in the red zone would behoove both Rice and Flacco against the toughest defenses in the AFC.

Seeing as how the Ravens finally disposed of Pittsburgh during the regular season, utilizing the same approach makes sense.

That means a heavy dose of Rice.  

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow's mere appearance in the NFL playoffs will cause a stir previously unseen in the league.

The spread-option attack will cause headaches for NFL defensive coordinators in the playoffs. While defenses could and likely will shut down the erratic Tebow, how will it affect them in the next round?

Teams who play against the triple option in college football typically struggle to adjust back to normal schemes before the next opponent.

Besides that, Tebow's will power in itself has proven difficult to stop in the regular season. Chances are those difficulties will increase exponentially come playoff time.

It would be fascinating to see the Tebow saga persist into the postseason. 

Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham, a former basketball star at the University of Miami, has taken the National Football League by storm this season.

His athletic prowess has decimated defenses to the tune of 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns this year.

Graham is the toughest matchup in the NFL and provides a go-to weapon for the precise Drew Brees.

The only way to contain the Miami product is to double-team him, which leaves other Saints weapons open downfield. 

When New Orleans lost to Green Bay in Week 1, Graham had yet to find a groove with Brees. Graham may just be the player who changes that result the second time around. 

Julio Jones

Speaking of tough matchups, Julio Jones is no slouch. 

When healthy, Jones is the ideal complement to fellow Falcon wide receiver Roddy White. As shown here, Jones can break a monster play at any moment.

The Alabama product provides a deep threat that was not available when Atlanta was getting slowed by the Packers in last year's postseason.

Quarterback Matt Ryan needs to use these last three weeks to secure a playoff berth and develop a good rapport with Jones.

If he does, it could be Atlanta that plays wild-card spoiler this year. 

Frank Gore

We have never seen stud running back Frank Gore in the NFL playoffs yet, so what can we expect?

Gore has to be the man in San Francisco in pressure situations. Quarterback Alex Smith simply has not shown that he can perform under any significant amount of pressure.

Some experts believe the 49ers are built for going north to Green Bay and knocking off the Packers.

I'm not so sure. There just isn't enough offensive firepower. 

However, if they can, it will be because of Gore's extraordinary ability to break tackles and make big plays for an otherwise vanilla offense. 

Arian Foster

At least the 49ers as a team have made the postseason. The entire franchise in Houston is new to sudden-death scenarios.

The Texans clinched the AFC South in Week 14, securing their inaugural playoff invitation.

Unfortunately, a foot injury to Matt Schaub and a recurring hamstring ailment for Andre Johnson have derailed the chances at a Super Bowl run for the best team in Texas.

Arian Foster is in the midst of a slightly less productive season than last year. He is averaging 91.6 yards per game on the ground compared to 101 in 2010.

However, Foster must regain 2010 form in order for the Texans to advance in the playoffs. He is certainly capable when healthy. Too bad that's the story of Houston's season in 2011. 

Rob Gronkowski

The second-toughest matchup in the NFL plays for the New England Patriots. 

Rob Gronkowski lacks the speed of Jimmy Graham, but makes up for it with his bowling-ball mentality when running after the catch.

Gronkowski's pair of scores in Week 14 set the single-season record for touchdown catches by a tight end. He has 15 on the year, and has become Tom Brady's favorite target in the red zone.

With a defense that is giving up the most passing yards in the league, the Brady-Gronkowski combination will need to be called often for New England to keep up in the playoffs.

Teams will undoubtedly double Gronkowski in hopes of containing his dominance. Given his determination, I'm not so sure that will matter. 

Calvin Johnson

There are so many potential storylines headed into the NFL playoffs this season.

Tim Tebow, Frank Gore and the Houston Texans could all make debuts in football's postseason.

One of the most exciting could be the much-maligned Detroit Lions earning a Wild Card and appearing in their first postseason since 1999.

The Lions have virtually no running game. Therefore, any possible success hinges on the combination of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

Johnson is on pace for a career high in touchdowns and already has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving.

While teams will pay loads of attention on him in the playoffs, Johnson has the freakish ability to break through multiple defenders and make the catch. 

While Detroit may not make much hay this year, pay close attention to this team as it will likely make more playoff appearances in future campaigns. 

Mark Sanchez

This could be the year Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets finally break through to the Super Bowl.

In case you haven't noticed, the Jets have been uncharacteristically quiet in recent weeks.

They are laying low in the weeds, waiting to pounce on a chance to make another wild-card run.

The time is now for Sanchez. He has a viable scoring threat in Plaxico Burress to go with viable options Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller.

Moreover, he has an emerging running game that has hit stride in recent weeks. Shonn Greene has amassed at least 90 total yards for three straight weeks to go with four touchdowns.

If only management can keep a muzzle on Rex Ryan, the Jets have a brilliant shot to surprise teams this year.

 

Ryan Grant

Yes, Aaron Rodgers makes or breaks the Packers in every facet of the offense.

That being said, running back Ryan Grant has something to prove in this year's NFL playoffs. Remember, he was injured when the Packers won the Vince Lombardi Trophy last season.

There is something to be said about being involved in a championship run. With James Starks ailing with various injuries, Grant has a shot to make his presence felt on this year's undefeated team.

Recall that Grant ran for 1,000 yards in 2008 and 2009. He is now poised to regain the stage as a formidable weapon on a team known solely for its superior passing game.