5 Most Dependable NFL Players Headed to the Playoffs

With just one week left in the 2011 NFL regular season, the playoffs are set to begin, and January will be exciting.

That said, there are some familiar faces that will be on the field in January as well as some new ones. And with seasons at stake, here are five dependable players on teams that have already clinched a berth.

Aaron Rodgers: QB, Packers

Take Aaron Rodgers out of Green Bay and there's no guarantee of a Super Bowl repeat.

Sure, Matt Flynn is a solid backup, but it's unreasonable to say that Flynn would dominate with zero playoff experience under center.

That being said, it was tough to watch the Packers in 2010 when they had so many injuries. However, Rodgers was the glue that kept everything in tact as he missed just one game last season.

Then when the playoffs began, he had the bad taste from 2009 (loss to Arizona) lingering, and Green Bay just went rolling. More than 1,000 yards, nine TDs to just two picks and a 109.8 QB rating later, and he was the Super Bowl MVP.

Being that Green Bay is 14-1 and owns the home-field advantage in the NFC, it's because of Rodgers' 45 TDs to just six picks and 4,600 passing yards.

The defense has helped with forcing turnovers, but it's a wash since they've allowed so many yards and points. The Packers go as Rodgers goes, plain and simple.

Drew Brees: QB, Saints

In his last four playoff games, Saints QB Drew Brees has thrown 10 TDs to zero interceptions. On top of that, he averaged 284 yards, 40.5 attempts and a rating of 110.45 per game.

If that's not indicative of a team dependable on their QB, then what is?

This season Brees is slated to break the single-season passing record, and New Orleans is still alive to oust the 49ers for the NFC's No. 2 seed.

Brees spreads the ball around as good, if not better, than any other QB in the league and is the reason why The Big Easy is headed back to the postseason.

You know Brees will perform well when the big stage emerges as well, because this season the NFC playoff teams don't have impressive pass defenses. Therefore, don't expect anything less than shear dominance.

So, any team who faces off with New Orleans will have to outscore them, which other than Green Bay, no one else has much of a chance. 

James Harrison: LB, Steelers

Although it's usually QBs who teams most depend on, that's not the case in Pittsburgh.

Ben Roethlisberger has been gold in crunch time situations; however, thanks to the Steelers defense he's been given those opportunities to shine.

Which brings us to LB James Harrison.

He has played a major role in all three of Pittsburgh's AFC titles this century as well as a significant and productive contributor to coach Dick LeBeau's Steel Curtain defense. Perhaps Super Bowl XLIII was his defining moment, in returning an interception 100 yards for a TD.

That 14-point swing in Pittsburgh's favor is the reason why the Steelers were put in position to win that game.

Now, the Steelers have other solid contributors around him in safety Troy Polamalu, fellow pass-rusher LaMarr Woodley and CB Ryan Clark. However, the intimidation factor of Harrison's presence encompasses The Steel Curtain.

Tom Brady: QB, Patriots

The man who's been holding the New England Patriots together since 2001, Tom Brady.

Three Super Bowl wins, four appearances and two Super Bowl MVPs have arguably the NFL's best player a lock for the Hall of Fame one day.

Unfortunately, Brady is 34 years old so it's no secret that time is of the essence. The Pats control their own destiny in Week 17: a win and they once again earn the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Now, New England hasn't won a playoff game since the 2007 AFC championship over San Diego, so there is some work to get back on track. But, on the short list of most dependable QBs you want under center in January, he's one of 'em.

He began his playoff career 10-0, and with the exception of 2002, every year he's been at the helm the Patriots have made the playoffs. Hence, you can't deny that kind of consistent production.

As for 2011, we could say that Brady and the Pats were subject to a weak schedule, but once the postseason kicks off, the regular season becomes obsolete.

And you can bet that Brady and company are eager to avenge three straight postseason losses.

Calvin Johnson: WR, Lions

The only man on the list without any playoff experience, Lions WR Calvin Johnson is the exception to the rule.

For one, he was in his second year when Detroit went 0-16, and he showed up for every game and performed. So, when the Lions make their first postseason appearance since 1999, you know Megatron will be anxious to take over the game.

No NFC playoff defense has been able to completely shut him down, and no one can cover him one-on-one. If Detroit wants any shot at winning in the Wild Card round, CJ has no choice but to dominate.

This January is the start of a playoff career for the NFL's best WR, and his potential is unlimited.

He's easily the Lions' best player, and if they didn't have him, Detroit wouldn't be in the playoffs. Luckily for us football fans, that's not the case. Based on how much The Motor City has depended on him since 2007, that will continue into January of 2012.

On the year Johnson has accounted for over 1,400 receiving yards on 85 catches and has scored 15 TDs.

That's roughly one-third of QB Matthew Stafford's passing yards, almost half of his TD passes, and Johnson averages almost 17 yards per catch. Count on this kind of production in the playoffs.

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