Now that the playoff schedule is set, there is lot to go over when looking forward to the next six weeks before moving into the offseason. Aside from the obvious storylines, there are a ton of players who stand to gain a ton of standing in the hobby if they can pull off some big wins up to and including the Super Bowl. With collectors using playoff performances as a reason to spend a ton of money on a guy, these are some of the most important games of the year.

I have already talked endlessly about Aaron Rodgers and how he is currently the most valuable signature in the NFL. With his Packers finishing 15-1 on the season, there is not much more value he can generate unless he goes into the a chance to repeat as champion. Rodgers has more than just the Super Bowl to play for, as a win will give him more in two years than Brett Favre won in his whole career. Shadow of the Iron Man? Gone completely.

Tom Brady is another guy who has a lot to play for, as a Super Bowl win will put him on the level of guys like Bradshaw and Montana, if he isnt there already. He and Drew Brees had record setting seasons, and because of his previous success, Brady doesnt have much value to add to his already huge prices on cards among chased by his collectors.

Speaking of Brees, he has already picked up a few dollars because of his breaking Dan Marino’s passing yardage record, but is still one of the most undervalued players in the league. If I were a betting man, I would be putting all my money on either the Saints or the Packers to win it all, as both teams look to be the best in both conferences.

In terms of the rookies, where there is the most value to be gained, there are a few this year that have potential to be HUGELY impactful. The first is obvious in Andy Dalton and AJ Green going into the playoffs for the first time. The Bengals havent won a playoff game since 1991, and as a result, Cincinnati has become a collecting black hole of value. Despite his overwhelming success this year, Dalton still hasnt obtained value like he should be having, and I expect that if he is able to pull out a win, both him and Green will gain some major bumps.

The second person that could be a big gainer this post season is Julio Jones, who has come on to have the best second half of any rookie so far. He is finally getting comfortable in Atlanta’s scheme, and he managed some amazing games down the stretch. I expect him to have great games in the future, but a playoff run would make him almost uncollectable due to high prices.

Finally, there is one guy that I know you are expecting me to hate on. Tim Tebow has a game coming up against Pittsburgh, and he better pray to every God he can think of if he expects to make it through alive. To tell you the truth, after seeing him put up 3 points against KC’s defense, he better hope he can pull some of his magic out of his ass, or its not going to be an easy game. Value has come down once people got a view of what he is really going to be like in this league, but a playoff win or two may make him one of the most valuable QBs in the league. That is shocking and scary at the same time, considering how awful he has played.

Here are my predictions, and I am not trying to play it safe:

AFC Wild Card Winners: Cincy, Pittsburgh
NFC Wild Card Winners: New Orleans, New York
AFC Divisional Winners: New England, Pittsburgh
NFC Divisional Winners: New Orleans, Green Bay
Super Bowl XLVI: New England vs New Orleans
Winner: New Orleans
MVP: Drew Brees (Again)