Top 10 Offensive Players Remaining in Playoffs

Wild would be a severe understatement for just how wild the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs were this season. We saw one team come back from a 14-point second half deficit to win a double OT thriller (Ravens), a quarterback from one team blossom into a superstar before our eyes (49ers), another team blow a 20-point halftime lead and nearly choke the game away (Falcons), and another team thoroughly dominate in what was supposed to be a closer game (Patriots). All of that has set the table for next sunday and the conference title games. With that being said, it's time to take a look at the 10 best offensive skill players remaining from the four teams still standing.

10. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers 

After a terrific 2012 season in which Crabtree showed exactly why he was so highly touted coming out of college, he continued his stellar play in the divisional round game versus Green Bay. He caught 9 balls from Colin Kaepernick for 119 yards and two touchdowns. The sure-handed Crabtree was a two time Biletnikoff winner while at Texas Tech, and was taken 10th overall by San Fran in 2009 in order to be their receiver of the future. After a slow start to his career, Crabtree busted out in 2012 becoming newly minted starter Kaepernick's favorite target. He finished the season with 1,105 yards and 9 scores, and was one of the more reliable targets in the NFL in a league constantly growing with skilled wideouts. Crabtree's connection with Kap could make them a dynamic duo for years to come, and could be a pivotal pairing if they hope to advance to Super Bowl 47.

9. Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens 

One of the consistently unheralded QB's in the NFL, Flacco has made a name for himself by making it to the playoffs and winning road playoff games. Unfortunately for him, it has yet to culminate in a title and it's got Ravens fans wondering if he's their QB of the future. After Saturday's win in Denver, he may have silenced those thoughts. He threw for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns, outclassing Peyton Manning in the process, and connecting with Jacoby Jones on a 70 yard bomb to tie the game with 30 seconds to go. He's got the strongest arm in the game, and he can make those throws, but doing it consistently is Flacco's next task.

8. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons 

The second-year player out of Alabama has proven to be a huge commodity for this Falcons offense. He's given Matt Ryan another proven target to throw to, and he's a perfect compliment to Roddy White on the other side of the field. He can jump out of the stadium, and catch mostly anything that comes his way. Jones is big, fast, strong and has all the athletic intangibles that you look for in a number one receiver. If he can keep up his level of play throughout the postseason, he'll be a tough matchup for anyone who stands in his way and he'll make Matt Ryan that much more dangerous.

7. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers 

The Inconvenient Truth, as he's been dubbed, had another quietly stellar season in San Francisco's backfield. He rushed for 1,214 yards in 2012, the most he's run for since his breakout campaign of 2006 and was extremely reliable for this Niners offense. He gave them a formidable ground game, as usual, and was a dangerous receiving threat as well. The 3rd leading rusher among active players, Gore is just what the 49ers need to keep their suddenly high-powered offense going. With Gore, the Niners can rest their defense and take more of the burden off of their young QB and his young weapons, keeping them all fresh for the next time their number is called. There's no doubt he'll once again be an integral role in the future success of this team.

6. Roddy White, WR, Falcons

Lining up across from the aforementioned Jones is Rowdy Roddy White. The talented Falcons receiver is a veteran of his craft and is teaching Julio a thing or two along the way. He runs perfectly crisp routes, and is among the most reliable in the NFL in terms of catching balls thrown his way. This tandem will be dangerous for anyone daring to stop them, and White will be a huge part of what Atlanta plans to do to be successful.

5. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens

The 5'8'', 212 lb. Rice is a bowling ball of a player and is arguably the most prolific running back in the NFL. As a second round pick coming out of Rutgers, many scouts thought Rice was just too small to succeed at the next level, and boy has he proved them wrong. He's rushed for at least 1,100 yards in every season that he's been a starter, and he's had at least 475 yards receiving in those seasons as well. He does a little bit of everything, and he does them all well. He's the ultimate check down back, turning dump downs into a huge gains, he reads blocks well, and of course he's an elite rusher. Rice will once again be the focal point of the Ravens offense next week, as he is every week, and his effectiveness will likely prove to be a difference maker in the matchup with New England.




4. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons

Through the first 12 weeks of the season, Matty Ice was considered a serious MVP candidate until the likes of Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson took everyone else out of that conversation. Despite that, his squad still finished 13-3 and garnered the number 1 seed in the NFC once again. The only thing plaguing the growth of Ryan was capturing that elusive first playoff victory. After nearly blowing it in an epic meltdown last week versus Seattle, Ryan ultimately lead a final drive which culminated in a game winning kick to keep their season alive. There has been talk of Ryan being on the fringe of being an elite QB, and if he can bring his Falcons to a Super Bowl, and potentially win it, then he will certainly cement himself among the elite signal callers in the league.

3. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots

The "slot machine" is one of the most consistent wideouts to ever put on shoulder pads in the NFL. Since coming to New England in 2007, Welker has undoubtedly been Tom Brady's favorite target every season since their pairing. He has finished top 6 in receptions every season he's played for the Patriots, and he's finished top 2 in 5 of those years, including this one. Welker has no fear of crossing the middle of the field, as he continually gets popped by opposing d-backs on a per-game basis. He also catches just about everything thrown his way, oftentimes striking awe into viewers watching him work. When plays break down, or a big play is needed to keep a drive going, Brady automatically looks for Wes. Don't expect that to change anytime soon, unless of course the Patriots don't pay him this offseason. Not paying Welker for his services in New England will be the ultimate head scratcher, and it'll likely leave Brady wondering what's going on, too.

2. Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers

Probably a bold move putting the young Kap this high on this list after one postseason start, but anyone watching that game on Saturday can see why he is here. Not only did he throw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, often throwing darts right on point, but he also ran for 181 yards and two more scores. The 181 yards are the most rushing yards for a QB, ever, in any game. He looked downright scary with his ability. People talk about the inefficiency of the spread-option in the NFL, but the way Kaepernick runs it and reads the defense makes you wonder why everyone doesn't do it. They don't because they don't have who the Niners have. Many wondered if benching Alex Smith was the right move by Jim Harbaugh earlier in the season, but after watching the youngster go to work on Saturday night validated Harbaugh's contentious decision. Smith gave the Niners a real chance to win, but Kaepernick does more than that for this offense. If he maintains this high level of play, the 49ers will surely be visiting New Orleans in two weeks.

1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

Who else did you think would be number one? The 2x MVP, 3x Super Bowl winner, 8x Pro-Bowler, 2x All-Pro, and the owner of countless records, Tom Brady redefines how the quarterback position is played. He's just so efficient and great at what he does, that his numbers and records almost become boring. You expect Brady to throw for nearly 300 yards and 3 touchdowns almost every week, and when he throws an interception it almost makes your jaw drop with shock. He'll be playing in his 7th AFC title game on Sunday, and if he wins it'll mark his 6th trip to the Super Bowl. Yes, 6 Super Bowl's played in 11 career seasons. That's more than half the seasons he's played that he's gone to the big one. Most quarterbacks can't even say they've been to the playoffs half of their seasons, never mind the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for Brady and the Patriots, they've achieved such a high level of success that their expectations are to win another Super Bowl despite anything else. Anything short of that will be considered a failure, while most teams are just happy to participate. Brady has shown no signs of slowing down, despite what the naysayers may think, and he's just as dominant as he was in his prime. Then again, when TB12 is playing, it seems he's always in his prime.