NFL Playoff Predictions: Superstars Who Will Flame out in January

With only a few games left in the 2011 NFL regular season, it's quite clear which teams are locks to play in the postseason. Some players will shine in the spotlight, but others will fall flat on their face. 

Teams have worked hard all season to make it to the playoffs, which is why it's so unfortunate to see a star player crack under the pressure. 

Whether the big stage is too much for them, or their opponent is just better, there will be multiple star athletes that fail to deliver. 

With that said, here are five players certain to flop in the playoffs. 

Tony Romo

Tony Romo is no stranger to blowing the game for the Cowboys.

Sure, he's had some great performances this season, but he's also had some bad ones as well. 

The Dallas Cowboys will either win the NFC East or land a wild card spot, but in the end, Romo will choke in the playoffs, leading to more frustrated Cowboy fans. 

Alex Smith

Alex Smith may not be a huge superstar, but this season he's playing better than he ever has before, helping lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 10-3 record and NFC West champs. 

However, when the pressure is on in the playoffs, Smith will crumble and make several mistakes.

He's done a good job of protecting the ball this year, but Smith and the rest of the 49ers will be exposed once postseason play begins. 

Arian Foster

The Houston Texans won their first ever AFC South title this season, and this is also the first time in franchise history the team is going to the playoffs. 

Unfortunately, their time will be short lived. With Matt Schaub out for the year, the Texans will look to star running back Arian Foster for a big playoff performance.

Andre Johnson's health is also a major concern, which puts even more pressure on Foster. Since he's their entire offense, teams will be prepared to shut Foster down, leaving the Texans with nowhere else to go. 

Tim Tebow

There's no denying that Tebow has put together an impressive win streak, and his desire for victory is the reason the Denver Broncos are in first place of the AFC West. 

It's possible that the Broncos miss out on the playoffs, but their schedule is more favorable than the Oakland Raiders, so I think they'll get in.

However, once Denver is forced to play a tougher opponent like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens, Tebow won't be enough to save the Broncos from losing. 

Joe Flacco

The Baltimore Ravens postseason success rides on the arm and the mind of Joe Flacco, which doesn't bode well for the eventual AFC North champs. 

It's been a good season for Flacco, but once the playoffs get here he's a completely different player. They may win one game if they aren't awarded with a bye, but there will be a moment when Flacco is desperately needed to come through, and he'll fail. 

There's so much riding on each game, and that is why Flacco will be a bust, leaving the Ravens to go home empty handed, again.