NFL: Top 5 Players Under Most Pressure to Perform This Postseason
The NFL playoffs are about to begin. This postseason promises to give fans an action packed game every weekend with so many talented players. With high expectations, comes more pressure. A lot of great players are facing huge pressure this postseason to lead their team to the promise land.
Here are five players with the most pressure on them this postseason.
5. J.J. Watt
J.J. Watt is undeniably the best defensive player in the game today. This sack master can destroy a game like no other player in the league. The Houston Texans have no chance of defeating the Kansas City Chiefs unless Watt plays the game of his life. Watt has led the Texans to two playoff wins, but he has never made it to the third round in his career. There's a good chance Watt will get double teamed by the Chiefs offensive line. He's used to that. The Chiefs have the superior record, but the Texans do have home-field advantage in this matchup.
4. Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown had another phenomenal season this year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the third consecutive season, Brown had more than 100 catches on the year. He had an amazing 1,834 receiving yards this season, and he is hailed as the best wide out in the league over Calvin Johnson by many fans. Unfortunately the playoffs haven't gone very well for Brown. Brown has lost his last three consecutive playoff games with the black and yellow, and he has failed to catch a single touchdown in five career postseason games. Only once in his five career playoff games has Brown even eclipsed the 80-yard mark. If the Steelers lose this game to the Cincinnati Bengals, it would be the first time in franchise history they lose four consecutive playoff games.
3. Adrian Peterson
The only running back featured on our list. There's a good reason for that: He's the best in the game today. Adrian Peterson had a rough outing against the Seahawks in his last game back in Week 13 with just 18 rushing yards. That was his worst output of the season. Can Peterson crack the Seahawks code or will this be another blowout loss ending in defeat for the Minnesota Vikings? As good as Peterson has been throughout his career, he has only led the Vikings to one playoff victory, and that's when Brett Favre was the quarterback. All eyes are on you, Peterson.
2. Alex Smith
There's no more excuses for the Kansas City Chiefs. None whatsoever. This franchise hasn't won a single playoff game since 1993, when Joe Montana was their starting quarterback. The Chiefs are red hot entering this postseason having the biggest win streak in the league at 10 games. Alex Smith has had an up and down postseason career, and Chiefs fans need this win badly. Smith has never thrown an interception in the playoffs, but it's going to take a little bit more than just game managing this time against the Texans defense. He's got to read defenses, be sharp at all times, and find Jeremy Maclin downfield when appropriate. Like the player listed below, Smith is also a former No. 1 overall draft pick.
1. Cam Newton
Like everyone else on this list, Cam Newton has never made it to the Super Bowl. That's not a huge indictment on him considering he's only been in this league for five seasons, but his time is now. Newton and the Carolina Panthers wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a league best 15-1 record this year, meaning they won't play any NFC games outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. The last time we saw Newton in the playoffs he threw a pick-6 against the Seattle Seahawks to safety Kam Chancellor to eventually seal the deal. It's time for "Superman" to show up this time and save the day.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1
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