NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting the Postseason's Top Big-Play Threats

While winning games is a team effort, for those squads headed to the playoffs, it's doubtless that they have at least one—and more likely, many—noted playmakers. These men make the game-changing plays that have made all the difference in their teams' hunt for a playoff berth.

In the following slides, I detail five players who are likely going to come up big for their respective teams this postseason.

WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is one of just two receivers in the top 10 in total yards from scrimmage this year.

Every one of his 1,437 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns has been invaluable to his team and is a major reason why the Lions have earned their first playoff appearance since 1999.

Averaging 95.8 yards per game and having seven 100-plus yardage days to his name this season, Johnson is certain to make more than a few big game-changing plays in the postseason.

TE Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is rewriting the book on what it means to play the position. His size and instincts make him an excellent blocker, while his height, speed and sure hands make him the ideal pass-catcher.

He's been so effective that two of the Patriots' top three receiving targets are tight ends, and he's the major reason why the Patriots have undergone a transformation of their offensive philosophy.

Gronkowski has caught 82 passes this season for 1,219 yards and 15 receiving and one rushing touchdowns. He is a top red-zone target, which means that he's going to be scoring a good number of the Patriots' touchdowns in the playoffs.

There's nothing better than a postseason touchdown, and the Patriots are going to need them. Luckily, they've got Gronkowski on their roster, meaning scores are guaranteed to follow.

LB Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have had a strong defense for a few seasons now, but this year they're extra ferocious thanks to rookie linebacker Aldon Smith.

This season, Smith has had 35 total tackles, 13 sacks (a single-season Niners record), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, making him one of the most productive pass rushers in the league, despite this being his first year.

With so many high-powered passing offenses in the NFC, he's going to be invaluable to his team in the playoffs. Pressure is the key to stopping quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.

If the 49ers hope to make it to the Super Bowl this season, Smith will have to bring all he has to at least one of these quarterbacks. Should he do so, the Niners should have themselves quite a successful playoff run this year.

RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Despite missing two games early in the season with a hamstring injury, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has had himself quite a huge year.

He's got the second-most all-purpose yards from scrimmage and has the third-most rushing yards this season. His running and pass-catching skills have been invaluable to a Texans team plagued by injuries and currently starting their third-string quarterback because of them.

This season, Foster has rushed 278 times for 1,224 yards and 10 scores and has caught 53 passes for 617 yards and two more touchdowns.

His versatility and ability to make plays from seemingly nothing will be the single greatest driving force behind any Texans' postseason offensive success.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

No discussion of postseason playmakers would be complete without mentioning Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, perhaps the biggest playmaker in the league.

Last year, Rodgers led his Packers through an incredible playoff run that culminated in the team winning the Super Bowl. This season is no different, with Rodgers picking up right where he left off in 2010.

This season, Rodgers has completed 68.3 percent of his 502 pass attempts for 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns and just six interceptions. A threat on the ground, too, Rodgers has carried the ball 60 times for 257 yards and three more scores.

While it's hard to point to just a single player being responsible for his entire team's success, there are few players more valuable to their team than Rodgers. He's certain to make big plays at the right times and has made the Packers heavy favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions.