Which players need to up their game in the postseason for the Pats to win it all?

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

...the most?

Whether it's injury or unknown factors, which five players do you think have the potential to truly be heroes in the postseason by playing to their potential? And do not include players who are already playing great like Brady, Gronk, or Welker. This should be a list where you can look back and say "these players were the x-factors that led to either our success of failure in the playoffs."

Here's my list:

1. McCourty- Probably the biggest x-factor this team has had in years.

2. Chung- Makes a huge difference when he's on the field, but will he get healthy?

3. Solder- Played great this year, but I foresee James Harrison and Terrell Suggs in the cards. Is he ready?

4. Ochocinco- I don't think it's necessary for him to finally fit in for us to win it all, but if he did figure it out, this offense would nearly unstoppable. He will never have an opportunity like this again in his life.

5. Ridley- Lots of SB winners get late boosts from rookie running backs who add a new dimension. Huge opportunity for Ridley.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Brady, Wilfork, Weelker, Gronkowski, Light, and Solder have played as well as we could hope for this year, they need to maintain that level of play and everyone else needs to step it up for them to win a SB.

 

[ausbacker]

The two lines.

 

[IllegalContact]

the LB's.........first and foremost

 

[upstater1]

1. McCourty -- Little needs to be said
2. Mayo -- Needs to become a star
3. Ninkovich -- Needs to make big plays
4. Wilfork -- Needs to rest so that he collapses that pocket when he's in there instead of just being a run stopper
5. Spikes -- Needs to raise his awareness and cover, plays the zone too shallow
6. Wendell/Connolly -- Perennial playoff weakness, need to hold their own
7. Chung -- Doesn't need to step up, just step in
8. Gostkowski -- Every FG/XP counts...
9. Edelman -- Needs to pop a couple of big punt returns
10. Belichick -- Needs to make sure his coaches are prepared, they haven't been in past years; McDaniels, O'Brien and Patricia have all looked out of their depth in the playoffs. While Bill was putting out a fire somewhere on the sideline, his assistants were letting fires start elsewhere. Never forget Belichick coaching up the D as the offense was imploding on the field in the last SB, and McDaniels was running around like a scared kid looking for his daddy.

Most importantly, Dante Scarnecchia and Kevin Faulk need to light fire under the young guys BEFORE the game rather than late in the second quarter.

 

[sly24]

McCourty
Ochocinco
Chung
Spikes

If 2010 McCourty could finally show up.. that would be huge.

 

[Joker]

every single active player on the roster needs to up their game come playoffs

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

Honestly, Brady. As we've said, this defense is what it is. Brady needs to make zero mistakes. Obviously the line, the receivers, etc.. all need to up their game, but if we end up going all the way this year, it's going to be because Brady is on fire.

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

Offense: Light, Mankins, Wendell, Ochocinco, Underwood
Defense: Everyone.

 

[Dessalines]

...the most?

Whether it's injury or unknown factors, which five players do you think have the potential to truly be heroes in the postseason by playing to their potential? And do not include players who are already playing great like Brady, Gronk, or Welker. This should be a list where you can look back and say "these players were the x-factors that led to either our success of failure in the playoffs."

Here's my list:

1. McCourty- Probably the biggest x-factor this team has had in years.

2. Chung- Makes a huge difference when he's on the field, but will he get healthy?

3. Solder- Played great this year, but I foresee James Harrison and Terrell Suggs in the cards. Is he ready?

4. Ochocinco- I don't think it's necessary for him to finally fit in for us to win it all, but if he did figure it out, this offense would nearly unstoppable. He will never have an opportunity like this again in his life.

5. Ridley- Lots of SB winners get late boosts from rookie running backs who add a new dimension. Huge opportunity for Ridley.

Working with you list above, I agree that:

1. DMC needs to get back to last year's form or some facsimile thereof.

2. Chung may not get back on the field though I'm hoping he will.

3. Solder's going to be just fine, this guy has been a stud all year for
a rookie Olineman. He gets it.

4. I think Ocho is going tobe okay too and will come on at exactly the right
time.

5. I do not expect the PATS approach to the running game this year to
change a whole lot. He will get his carries but so will Benny and Danny.

 

[PatsFan2]

Mayo need to be more of a Force getting to the QB he's fast and be able to get around a Tackle and blow past a Guard. We need more Big Playes from him.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Defense:
I think the pass rush needs to step up. Mark Anderson is going to need to play the run better and keep getting after the passer. Markel Carter is going to have to show some burst and hussle and make a few plays. Especially in Andre Carter's absence.

The secondary has got to stop taking bad angles and missing tackles. Let's start with consistently being in position and worry about making plays on the ball while it's in the air after.

The linebackers are going to have to continue setting a hard edge against the run, filling gaps properly (I'm looking at your Fletcher) and wrapping up. In addition we need Mayo to keep making big plays.

All in all I think the D is getting there slowly but surely, 2 steps forward 1 step back style. Consider the number of turnovers we've created recently. That's reminiscent of the old days. Nothing psychologically damages another team like turnovers. The offense starts wondering why so and so couldn't hold on to the ball, or not throw the pick. The defense gets pissed for being put in a potentially compromising position.

Offense
Gronk and Hernandez need to keep playing like savvy veterans.
85 needs to learn to be in the right position.
The O line needs to give Brady time to throw.
Remember what the Giants did to us? It involved a hellish pass rush and the number 1.

 

[PatsFan2]

Defense:85 needs to learn to be in the right position.

That's scarry considering what week we are in...the regular season is almost over and She doesn't get it.

 

[PatsFan2]

Offense
85 needs to learn to be in the right position.

That's scarry considering what week we are in...the regular season is almost over and She doesn't get it.

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

That's scarry considering what week we are in...the regular season is almost over and She doesn't get it.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

O is fine. No one needs to step up.

Mccourty and Chung. I think these two are key