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The NFL playoffs provide an opportunity for some stars to become legends. In the most important games and in the most clutch situations, some players rise to the occasion and play their best football. This can be said for these five superstars, who always elevated their game for the postseason.
NFL superstars who elevated their game for the playoffs
#5 - LB Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
Ray Lewis is widely considered one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history. He is also known for his legendary leadership. He was the emotional leader of a Baltimore Ravens defense in the early 2000s, one of the best defensive units of all time.
Ray Lewis was a integral piece that helped the Ravens win two Super Bowl titles. He was the team captain and led the defense with dominant performances. He was the Super Bowl XXXV MVP when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants. Their defense held the Giants to just seven points and 152 total yards.
#4 - TE Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rob Gronkowski is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history for all that he has accomplished in his career. For as good as he's been in the regular season, he has been even better in the playoffs. He always seems to have his biggest moments in the most clutch situations.
Rob Gronkowski ranks second all-time in several career receiving categories for the playoffs, including 89 receptions for 1,273 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has appeared in five Super Bowls in his career, while helping his team win four of them.
Also check out: New Orleans Saints Playoff History, Appearances, Wins and more
NFL superstars who always came up big in the playoffs
These NFL stars played even better in the playoffs than they did in the regular season.
#3 - WR Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers
Jerry Rice is the undisputed greatest wide receiver in NFL history. He holds just about every all-time receiving record that there is. The only thing more impressive than his accomplishments in the regular season are all of his records in the playoffs.
Jerry Rice accumulated 151 receptions for 2,245 yards and 22 touchdowns in his postseason career. All of those are NFL career records by a significant margin. He helped the 49ers win three Super Bowl titles and was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXIII when he set a Super Bowl single game record with 215 receiving yards.
#2 - QB Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
Joe Montana is best known for being a true winner. He is also one of the quarterbacks who revolutionized a dominant passing attack in the NFL. He had many great seasons and is considered one of the greatest of all time. His production in the playoffs was even more dominant than it was in the regular season.
Joe Montana appeared in four Super Bowls in his career, winning all of them. He was also named the MVP for three of them. His performances in those games are considered to be historic. He combined for 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions while playing nearly flawless football.
#1 - QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady has just about every record that a quarterback can have, including both the regular season and the playoffs. No player in NFL history has put together as successful of a career as Tom Brady. He is a legend of the game and a true champion.
Brady has accumulated a ridiculous 12,449 passing yards and 83 passing touchdowns in his postseason career. Both are most-all time by a wide margin and are among the many other records he holds. Most importantly, are his seven Super Bowl titles in ten appearances.
