The playoffs finally start today and wile much attention will be centered on the stars –Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Brett Favre– often it’s the lesser known players that determine whether a team moves on or not. Here are five guys who I’ll be watching closely these playoffs to see if they can deliver when their team needs it.
5. Mark Sanchez
The much talked about rookie quarterback managed to get his team into the playoffs, though some would argue the Jets made it despite of him. Regardless, the Jets still need the young signal caller to deliver the goods in the playoffs. The Jets can beat the Bengals by running the ball and masking Sanchez, but that won’t fly against the likes of the Colts and Chargers. The Jets boast the leagues best running attack and defense, the only weak link is the passing game. If the rookie stays turnover free and delivers a few big plays a game the Jets could surprise in the playoffs.
4. Jermichael Finley
I hyped the second year tight end in the preseason and despite getting off to a slow start including a knee injury, he played a vital role for the Packers in the final seven games, six of which the Packers won. The Packers utilized his athleticism by splitting Finley out wide creating mismatches with the defense. His emergence has also helped the offensive line, which struggled so much early in the season, as Rodgers targets him on shorter routes thus cutting down the time the line needs to protect. He ended up being the most targeted receiver by Rodgers over the last seven weeks of the season.
3. Darren Sproles
The shifty back didn’t play a big role in the Chargers offense this season despite much thought to the contrary. He topped 10 carries only twice the entire season and that came in weeks 2 and 3 when L.T. was hurt. You would think that the Chargers would have given Sproles the ball more after seeing L.T. struggle to the worst season of his career, but perhaps they were saving him for the playoffs. If you remember, Sproles dominated in the Chargers win over the colts in last years playoffs and was solid in their defeat to Pittsburgh. He had over 250 total yards and three touchdowns in those games and while I wouldn’t expect him to repeat those numbers, he could come close.
2. Anthony Spencer
The third year man from Purdue was less than impressive in his first two years in the league notching only 4.5 sacks. Not what the cowboys were expecting from their first round pick, who was suppose to compliment DeMarcus Ware. For the first ten games of the season it looked as if Spencer was a bust, then something clicked and in his final six games he collected six sacks. He had 3.5 sacks in the Cowboys two biggest wins, against the Saints and Eagles. If he can provide consistent pressure opposite DeMarcus Ware the Cowboys will be a tough out in the playoffs.
1. Julian Edelman
Has there been a more talked about player this week than Julian Edleman? The rookie, seventh rounder, quarterback turned wide receiver has the task of replacing the irreplaceable slot man, Wes Welker. In the games Welker has missed, the production has been there. He is averaging more yards than Welker in yards per attempt on crossing routes and screens, two staple routes of the Patriots offense. What Edelman can’t do as well as Welker, reading coverages, creating mismatches, and getting separation, doesn’t show up on the stat sheet and will be sorely missed. At one point in the playoffs there will be a key third down that the Pats need to stay in it. The question is, can Edelman convert?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
