NFL Playoff Predictions: Tim Tebow and 3 Underrated Playoff-Bound Talents

The NFL playoffs are just weeks away, and players continue to emerge for postseason-bound teams.

Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow is one of a handful of players who is making a name for himself in the second half of the season, going 7-3 as the team's starter this season.

With just a week of games remaining before the start of the postseason, there are those teams that are destined to make the playoffs. On those teams are players, like Tebow, who hope to push their teams through a promising playoff run.

Here's a look at Tebow and the three most underrated players on playoff-bound teams:

Nos. 1 and 2: Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos' defense

Through nine games with the team, Tebow has made the impossible as possible as ever. The improbable, mediocre Denver Broncos offense began helping their team win in the fourth quarter of games.

With a tendency to run the ball the majority of their plays on offense, Denver has a wear-and-tear strategy that tires out opposing defenses. In just nine starts, Tebow has more rushing yards than rookie sensation Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton.

Talk about impressive.

The other underrated "player" is, simply put, the Broncos' defense.

This is a unit that allowed less than 15 points in five games during the team's six-game winning streak. Led by the strong play of Von Miller and Brian Dawkins, this is a defense that has made remarkable strides this season.

However, much of the lacking recognition at times comes from Tebow's spotlight. Expect Tebow to get the credit he deserves and in turn help lead his Broncos to the AFC West division title.

3. Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots

Since much of the attention has gone to fellow TE Rob Gronkowski this season, Hernandez is especially overlooked heading into the postseason.

Gronkowski, deservedly so, has put on quite the season. As a result, he has been given his fair share of recognition; Gronk's 15 touchdowns lead the league and are the most by a TE in a single season.

But Hernandez is a solid talent as well, and for a while last season, he was the main target for QB Tom Brady. Given the fact that Gronkowski will be getting the majority of the attention from opposing defenses this postseason, expect Hernandez to readily find his openings down the middle of the field.

4. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Rice has recorded 1,173 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, both of which rank fifth in the NFL.

On a team with QB Joe Flacco and a solid wide receiving corps that boasts significant speed and overall depth, Rice is overlooked plenty.

With 451 yards and two touchdowns (one receiving) in his last four starts, it is evident that Rice will be a player opposing defenses will have to pay attention to.

Rice has been on a roll as of late, and he will look to only keep the momentum going into the playoffs. Despite the lack of credit Rice receives, there is no question he will give teams something to think about this postseason.