The Superfine Seven: NFL Players to Watch This Weekend

So you know how they have quirky, alliterative phrases for lists?  "Top Ten" and "Fave Five" are probably the ones you hear most commonly these days.  I wanted to get creative, so I went to synonym.com and searched the word "best".  One of the returned results was "superfine".  Thus, here is my first Superfine Seven of the year.

I always welcome disagreements and/or alternate opinions and/or agreements, so please feel free to comment on this list!

The Superfine Seven: NFL Players to Watch This Weekend
1. Alex Smith - QB, SF 49ers
After an unexpected and impressive performance in the 4th quarter of last week's game against the Saints, many are declaring that veteran QB Alex Smith has finally arrived and is living up to being picked #1 overall in the 2005 NFL draft (note: 23 picks before Aaron Rodgers).  Yes, the 49ers are a defensive-minded team with a run-first strategy, but like last week, I anticipate that Smith will be called on to make some big plays.  The spotlight has fallen on him, and this is his chance to shine.  Can he prove that he can do enough (aka avoid mistakes enough) to help a team to a championship?

2. Wes Welker - WR, NE Patriots
Anyone who's been watching the Patriots this year will tell you that last week's 3 TD outburst by Rob Gronkowski was no surprise.  He has been the equivalent of a #1 receiver for the Patriots this year, causing headaches for defensive coordinators around the league.  However, Gronkowski would not have the opportunities to experience this success if it weren't for Wes Welker.  He is still the #1 guy in this receiving core, and he is still the guy that defenses draw their plans around.  That said, the Ravens are a proud defense, and would love to be the team that said they "shut down Gronk".  To what expense?  That depends on the rest of the gang (Branch, Hernandez, Woodhead) but most heavily on Welker.

3. Ed Reed - Safety, BAL Ravens
The Patriots pass offense is devastating.  Every player in that offense understands and buys into the system, and Tom Brady knows how to utilize each skill player to their full potential.  To win this weekend, the Ravens need to find a way to disrupt the flow of the Patriots offense.  While the easy answer is to rush Tom Brady heavily, the Patriots will certainly be anticipating that.  That's why the Ravens need Ed Reed to be disruptive.  It's not all about big plays and interceptions, but if Reed can be in the places where Brady doesn't expect him to be, he'll be the greatest catalyst in disrupting the Patriots offense.

4. Joe Flacco - QB, BAL Ravens
Everyone knows the Patriots defense stinks, but didn't they just cause 14 negative plays against a Broncos offense that the Steelers defense couldn't stop?  If they play near as effectively as they did last week, Joe Flacco will need to shoulder the load for this offense.  Without taking Ed Reed's comments this week out of proportion, Flacco will undoubtedly feel a little extra pressure this week to perform well.  He doesn't necessarily need to throw for 300 yards, but he needs to make the big plays on 2nd and 3rd down that help the Ravens keep the ball.  The best defense against Tom Brady is taking the ball and keeping it as long as you can.

5. Hakeem Nicks, WR, NY Giants
Hakeem Nicks has been a monster in the playoffs so far.  With so much attention devoted to the emergence of Victor Cruz this season, Nicks came into the playoffs and decided that he would remind everyone why he might be a top-5 receiver in the league.  Big guy, good speed, amazing hands.  Nicks is everything you could want in a #1 receiver.  Against possibly the best defense in the league in the 49ers, including their Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers, Nicks will need to make some special plays.  When I say special, I mean plays that no ordinary receiver could make: catches in double coverage, one-handed catches around a defender, etc.  Don't be surprised to see an amazing catch by Nicks on Sportscenter the next day, because he's going to have to make at least one special play if the Giants are going to win.

6. Aldon Smith, DE, SF 49ers
What a splash the rookies have made this season.  Beyond Cam Newton and Andy Dalton, we've seen plenty of other rookies emerge and play big roles for their teams this season.  Aldon Smith is one of those guys, and he'll be key to the outcome of the Niners/Giants game.  Smith recorded 14 sacks this season, just a half sack shy of tying the rookie record.  He plays across from an elite defensive lineman in Justin Smith, who had a big presence and impact last week.  The Giants understand the power that Justin Smith can have on the field, and so I think they'll look to take Justin away first.  That leaves Aldon with opportunities, and he must capitalize on them to help the Niners' defense succeed.

7. Antrel Rolle, S, NY Giants
Just as Ed Reed and the Baltimore Ravens need to watch the tight ends of the New England Patriots, the Giants have to deal with Vernon Davis, one of the best tight ends in the league.  There is consideration of switching a cornerback on to cover Davis, but Davis' superior size and strength makes that a dangerous proposition.  Linebackers might be able to contain Davis short, but if he gets downfield, they have no chance.  This is where the safeties come in.  All of the safeties for the Giants have been playing pretty well, but Rolle is their veteran who's been on this stage before.  He'll be an important piece in creating confusion for Alex Smith and limiting Vernon Davis.

That's it for the first Superfine Seven list.  Let me know what you think!