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Top 5 players who will decide the NFL playoff race

By Patrick Morgan

Oct 4, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) is sacked by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) and Redskins outside linebacker Trent Murphy (93) in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) is sacked by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) and Redskins outside linebacker Trent Murphy (93) in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. A.J. McCarron

Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) drops back for a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) drops back for a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi /

Staying with the Bengals-Broncos showdown – clearly the biggest game this weekend – it’s impossible not to mention A.J. McCarron when considering the players who will have the biggest impact on the playoff race.

Just two short weeks ago, Cincinnati was heading into an important home game against the division rival Steelers with a potential MVP candidate calling the plays behind center. The Bengals were 10-2 and tied with the Broncos and the Patriots for the best record in the AFC. Then Andy Dalton fractured the thumb on his throwing hand, and everything changed.

To be fair, McCarron rebounded from a two-pick outing in relief of Dalton for a turnover-free game against the 49ers last Sunday. He didn’t light up the scoreboard, finishing 15 of 21 for 192 yards and a touchdown, but he did enough to allow the offense to capitalize on four turnovers forced by an opportunistic Bengals defense.

Whether Monday night’s game turns out to be a shootout or a defensive slugfest, the former Alabama quarterback must be ready to do his part in either scenario.

Next: 1. Kirk Cousins

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