San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) points towards tight end Delanie Walker (not pictured) after Walker made a catch against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at Candlestick Park. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports) You know the big names who have made their livings and their reputations in the postseason — Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and others. And you know the rookie stars making their first playoff appearances — Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson. But NFL reporter Robert Klemko of USA TODAY Sports picks an X-factor for each postseason team — a lesser-known player who could play a pivotal role: AFC Baltimore Ravens: ILB Dannell Ellerbe With inside linebackers Ray Lewis and Jameel McClain injured, Ellerbe stepped up to fill the void, and it wasn't clear just how big his impact was until he missed three weeks with an ankle injury. Three consecutive losses followed, and Ellerbe returned in Week 16 with five tackles. PLAYOFFS: Previewing the postseason Cincinnati Bengals: K Josh Brown The Bengals tried out three kickers after Mike Nugent suffered a calf injury in early December, settling on Brown. He has hit 11 of 12 field goal attempts, including a game-winner against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. Denver Broncos: RG Chris Kuper Kuper, in his seventh season, has endured a broken forearm, a sprained ankle and migraines this season. But he could be the key to keeping quarterback Peyton Manning healthy in the postseason. Denver has given up 19 sacks in the 11 games Kuper has missed and two sacks in the five games Kuper started. Houston Texans: TE Owen Daniels Beyond Andre Johnson, there has been little production from Texans receivers. Daniels caught six touchdown passes during an eight-game stretch this season, but he hasn't scored since Nov. 22. The Texans need a legitimate No. 2 target to emerge. AWARDS: Who deserves recognition? Indianapolis Colts: RB Vick Ballard The rookie running back has been getting the majority of carries because of Donald Brown's season-ending injury. Ballard has averaged 67.9 rushing yards a game in his last 11. Ballard will be counted on in a cold-weather road test in Baltimore on Sunday. New England Patriots: CB Aqib Talib A thin defensive backfield gets a big boost from Talib, whose recent absence with a hip injury forced the Patriots to move Devin McCourty from safety to cornerback, plug Patrick Chung at safety and bump Kyle Arrington from nickel to starting corner. The defense got exposed in a 41-34 loss to the 49ers, a week after Talib tweaked his hip. NFC Atlanta Falcons: OLB Sean Weatherspoon In the Falcons' three losses this season, they have managed two sacks and hit the quarterbacks a combined six times. Their best pass rusher, 34-year-old John Abraham, left Week 17's game on a cart with an ankle injury. With no clear candidates to pick up the slack, expect the Falcons to redeploy Weatherspoon, who had three sacks in the first five games but hasn't had one since. Green Bay Packers: CB Sam Shields The Packers have been locking up passing offenses in December, and a big reason is Shields' return from ankle and shin injuries. He has shown improved tackling and had two interceptions in the final month of the regular season. Charles Woodson's replacement at cornerback couldn't have shown up at a better time. RODGERS: QB ready for rematch Minnesota Vikings: FB Jerome Felton Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave says the team has "gone back in time a little bit" by using two-back formations, enabling Adrian Peterson to nearly break the NFL's single-season rushing record. The other man in the backfield is Felton, a fifth-year fullback who earned a Pro Bowl nod despite touching the ball three times on offense. That speaks volumes about his blocking. Peterson says he prefers one-back sets, but he can't argue with the results in 2012. San Francisco 49ers: TE Vernon Davis Looking for Davis? You wouldn't have found him in December. The former Pro Bowl tight end, concussed in Week 16, hasn't scored a touchdown since Nov. 19 and has six catches in his last six games. It would help San Francisco if Davis and quarterback Colin Kaepernick can get reacquainted. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Browner Seattle dodged a bullet when cornerback Richard Sherman won his appeal of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy. Browner, who served his own four-game ban, is eligible to play this weekend. Did a month of rest sharpen Browner or make him a target? Washington Redskins: WR Josh Morgan If Griffin continues to be limited by a knee injury, the Redskins offense will lose a dimension in the running game, even though rookie Alfred Morris posted 1,613 rushing yards. If the Seahawks force the Redskins to throw the ball more, watch Morgan, who pulled in his two touchdown receptions this season in December. PHOTOS: MOST MEMORABLE NFL WILD CARD MOMENTS Story Highlights
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Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/01/01/nfl-playoffs-x-factors/1803365/