Difference-Makers Who Will Impact the NFL Playoff Picture - Bleacher Report

Every year, a few players have a profound impact on the NFL playoff picture. 

Last year, Tim Tebow resurrected a 1-4 Denver Broncos team and went on an inexplicable and historic run to the AFC West crown. 

Calvin Johnson's sheer dominance of opposing secondaries was one of the main reasons the Detroit Lions snapped an embarrassing postseason drought. 

Which difference-makers will have the biggest impact on this year's postseason picture?

Sure, Tom Brady, Arian Foster and Aaron Rodgers will have a huge impact, but let's step outside the box a little. 

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

The most obvious member of this group, Manning's more mysterious than he's ever been in his career, coming off a serious neck injury that forced him to miss the 2011 season.

After being a run-dominated team last year, the Broncos will have an entirely new look with more spread sets and passing attempts thanks to Manning's presence. 

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

In what should be another wide-open AFC West, Manning will have a major impact on the AFC playoff picture. 

Will the Broncos be among the league's elite and battle for a No. 1 or No. 2 seed with the legendary quarterback under center? 

Or will they fight for another AFC West crown? 

Even if Denver falls short of expectations, they're an intriguing team entering the 2012 season, and with Manning running the show, they'll certainly play a role in the teams that make the postseason. 

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Charles missed the overwhelming majority of the 2011 season with a torn ACL. He had surgery on October 8th and estimates he's about 80 percent right now.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Chiefs were lost without him as the offensive focal point last year, but if he's healthy in 2012, watch out. 

He averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 2010, and Kansas City added stud right tackle Eric Winston this offseason. 

With Peyton Hillis another addition, the team will be able to keep Charles fresh so he can contribute as efficiently as possible. 

If Charles stays under 250 carries (230 in 2010 and 190 in 2009), he'll be a huge determining factor in the Chiefs' playoff run that could potentially lead to the demise of AFC postseason staples like the Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Mario Williams, DE, Buffalo Bills

Williams is the Bills' $100 million pass-rushing upgrade. They've been anemic getting to the quarterback over the last three seasons, with 29 sacks in 2011, 27 in 2010 and 32 in 2009. 

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Tom Brady's in their division, so they certainly need to apply more pressure on opposing signal-callers. If Mario Williams and the rest of Buffalo's menacing defensive line that includes Mark Anderson, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus can dominate offensive lines on a regular basis, the Bills will be on the fast track to their first playoff appearance in 13 years. 

Could they be another team that takes a postseason spot away from the Ravens or Steelers? How will they finish in the AFC East?

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles 

McCoy makes this list because he's been the most reliable player on the Eagles over the last two years and is coming off an All-Pro season in 2011.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The team's offense has the potential to be the most dynamic attack in the league, but everything hinges on the scrambling tendencies of oft-injured quarterback Michael Vick.

Even if the team has to rely on Mike Kafka or 2012 rookie Nick Foles at any stretch during the season, they'll always be able to fall back on the shiftiness and explosion of McCoy out of the backfield.

He scored 17 rushing touchdowns last year on 4.8 yards per carry and caught 48 passes.

If you don't think he'll have a colossal impact on the NFC East and the NFC playoff picture, you're crazy.

Brandon Marshall, WR, Chicago Bears

After witnessing the outrageously electric offensive seasons put together by the 2011 Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, many people are looking forward to a sizzling two-team race for the NFC North title this year. 

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

While those two clubs are primed to make a postseason run, you cannot forget about the Chicago Bears and their biggest offseason acquisition, Brandon Marshall. 

He's reunited with former teammate Jay Cutler, the Denver Broncos' quarterback during Marshall's most productive NFL seasons. 

If everything works out with Matt Forte and he doesn't hold out, the Bears could be the surprise team in the NFC in 2012. 

Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were very close the Super Bowl last year, and they brought back their core players to make another run at a title. 

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The defense will be one of, if not the most rock-solid units in football, with Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith and Justin Smith leading a vaunted attack. 

However, the pressure's squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Alex Smith, even after he pieced together the best season of his career. 

Jim Harbaugh won't abandon the power-running style that was integral to the team's success in 2011, but with the additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and first-round pick A.J. Jenkins, it's obvious that Smith will be relied upon more to make big plays in the passing game. 

If he does, the 49ers could have a stranglehold on the rest of the NFC. 

If not, they could be tested within their own division.