NFL Playoffs 2012: Latest Predictions on Super Bowl MVP Candidates

The 2012 NFL playoffs are set to kick off with four big games that will feature high-powered offenses, dominant defenses and of course colorful and controversial players.

While people continue to debate who the regular season MVP will be, the conversation will soon shift to what players will look worthy of winning the Super Bowl MVP honors.

When people think of these award winners, many names come to mind like John Elway, Joe Montana, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.

While it's true many stars win the award, there are also those that surprise us all, such as Deion Branch in Super Bowl XXXIV with the New England Patriots; Dexter Jackson, a safety with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII; or even Green Bay Packer Desmond Howard, who won it in Super Bowl XXXI as a kick returner.

As the playoffs kick off on Saturday, let's take a look at potential MVP candidates for every playoff team, with one being an obvious choice and another pick that may fly under the radar and surprise us all. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Obvious Choice: Andy Dalton

While Cam Newton has been setting rookie records in Carolina, Andy Dalton has calmly and quietly led his Bengals to a surprising trip to the postseason in a game many expect they can win when they travel to Houston to face the Texans.

He's quickly turned into a leader for this team.  While many people criticize Cincy for how this team has been run, they had an excellent 2011 draft and just fleeced the Oakland Raiders when they traded away Carson Palmer. 

Andy Dalton has led the way for this resurgence, and if they become yet another No. 6 seed to make a run to the Super Bowl, it will likely be because Dalton got them there.

Surprise Pick: A.J. Green

A big reason for the success of Dalton has been the big-play ability of A.J. Green, who is responsible for obtaining nearly one third of Dalton's passing yards.  He's made people in Cincy quickly forget about Chad Ochocinco.  If the Bengals win the Super Bowl and put up big offensive numbers, A.J. Green could end up going for well over 100 yards.

In any case, a rookie would likely hold the MVP honors if Cincy goes all the way.  

Detoit Lions

Obvious Choice: Matthew Stafford

Has there been a lot of controversy in Detroit this year?  Yes.  Between head coach Jim Schwartz flying off the handle, Ndamukong Suh stomping on people and the team taking tons of penalties, the Lions have become one of the bad boys of football. 

But missing in all this is the fact Detroit, in four seasons, has gone from an 0-16 team to the playoffs.

That resurgence has been led by Stafford, who finally stayed healthy this season and became one of the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season.  With a running game that is almost non-existent, the success of the Lions offense rides on Stafford's throwing arm. 

If they are to win the Super Bowl, they'll have to beat both Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and possibly even Tom Brady.  If they achieve this, expect Stafford to be the reason why.

Surprise Choice: Cliff Avril

Thanks to the antics of his teammate Ndamukong Suh, Cliff Avril has fallen under the radar.  Many people talk about Suh as the best defensive lineman on the team but is that really true?  Avril finished the season with 36 tackles, 11 sacks, one interception, six forced fumbles, three recoveries and two touchdowns.

The guy simply did it all in 2011.  If the Lions are to beat so many teams with prolific quarterbacks, Avril will need to do the same all the way up through the Super Bowl. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Obvious Choice: Troy Polamalu

Yes, I know.  Many of you would put Big Ben here.  But I will maintain that Troy Polamalu is the most valuable defensive player of his generation.  The Steeler defense is just simply not the same when he's out of the lineup.

With Roethlisberger hobbling around, the Steelers are going to have to rely on their defense to win them games, especially if they have to go to New England a week from now and any NFC team they'd face in the Super Bowl. 

While Big Ben may have won them their last Super Bowl, this time around, it'll take a monster game from Polamalu to get it done.

Surprise Choice: Issac Redman

With Big Ben on a bum ankle and Rashard Mendenhall out for the year, a surprise pick here would be Issac Redman, a very serviceable backup running back that had over four yards per carry during the season. 

In Super Bowl XL, Willie Parker had a coming out party by helping the Steelers beat the Seattle Sehawks.  Redman could have a similar impact should the Steelers make a return trip to the big game this year. 

Atlanta Falcons

Obvious Choice: Matt Ryan

For the Falcons to get over the hump, it will likely be up to Matt Ryan to lead his team to glory.  Since Ryan came into the league, he helped many Falcon fans forget about the Michael Vick era, but still, he's never gotten a playoff victory.

This may be Ryan's best chance playing against a Giants team with a bad defense and likely a Packers team that's probably better suited to play in the Georgia Dome than their own home in Green Bay in late January. 

If they can get to the NFC title game, it's anyone's guess where Ryan can lead them.  He has good passing ability and very strong weapons. 

Surprise Choice: Tony Gonzalez

If the best tight end in football history can finally get himself into the Super Bowl, I can see him taking this game over and putting the Falcons on his shoulders. 

He has been a very dedicated athlete and one of the best the NFL will ever see.  There would be no better story to hold his children, the Vince Lombardi Trophy and an MVP trophy in his arms. 

Denver Broncos

Obvious Choice: Willis McGahee

Sorry, but if the Broncos are going to go on a Super Bowl run, it's not going to be because of Tim Tebow's excellence.  It's pretty clear that teams are clearly figuring out the Tim Tebow experiment, so it's going to fall on people like McGahee to make the offense go.

He did rush for almost 1,200 yards this year on almost five yards per carry in a clear career resurgence.  If the defense can keep opponents off the board, the Broncos will rely on McGahee to carry this team.

Surprise Choice: Champ Bailey

The Broncos veteran didn't put up awe-inspiring numbers this year, but he's the kind of guy who could come through in the clutch.  If Denver gets into the Super Bowl, it's quite likely they'll go up against a prolific passing attack. 

If he could pick off a pass or two, the Broncos could yet have hope to win a title. 

New York Giants

Obvious Choice: Eli Manning

While the Giants have seen their running game go into shambles and their defense often fold like a lawn chair, the Giants quarterback has enjoyed his finest season and sufficiently replaced his brother amongst one of the NFL's best quarterbacks.

The Giants are a chic pick to make a Super Bowl run because despite their glaring weaknesses, people see the G-Men as a team that could take down the Packers.  If New York wins another title, Manning will likely win another MVP award.

Surprise Choice: Jason Pierre-Paul

When the Giants dethroned the New England Patriots four years ago, it was due in large part to the defense putting constant pressure on Tom Brady.  They may have to follow that blueprint again this year.

When JPP was drafted, many fans questioned why they needed him, considering the defensive line was already pretty stacked.  He responded to his critics by having 16.5 sacks this year and kept opposing offenses off balance.

If the Giants have to play against the likes of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl again this year, Pierre-Paul may be one of the reasons the Giants get their second Super Bowl win four years. 

Houston Texans

Obvious Choice: Arian Foster

With even their third-string quarterback hurting, the Texans offense will likely fall to the hands and legs of Arian Foster, the 2010 rushing champion.  The way Houston is constituted resembles a team of the 1980s and 90s.

They have a very strong defense and the best 1-2 punch at running back in the NFL.  The question is can this "old school" offense survive in this new era where passing offenses, which resemble John Madden football on your PS3, dominate?

If they Texans win it all, expect Foster to lead the way.

Surprise Choice: T.J. Yates

Could Yates channel his inner Tom Brady in this postseason and go on a memorable run like we saw in 2001 when the sixth-round draft pick took his team all the way?

With a defense that relies on strong team play rather than a single star standing out, if another Texan is going to win, a good bet would be on Yates. 

If Houston is to win, they'll have to beat a combination of the Bengals, Ravens, likely the Steelers or Patriots and possibly the Packers or Saints.  To achieve this success, they might need to see Yates go from a backup to a guy who can throw for over 300 yards and lead his team to glory. 

New Orleans Saints

Obvious Choice: Drew Brees

My pick to win the regular-season MVP honors, Drew Brees is one of the more obvious picks on this list.  Brees makes this offensive engine go, and it's scary to think what would happen to this unit if Brees got hurt.

He has broken Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record with an amazing assortment of receivers that are a great combination of tall, short, shifty, speedy and sure handed. 

The Saints have looked nearly unbeatable since their shocking loss to the St. Louis Rams and many people believe they can beat the Packers despite the fact that they looked like they were literally freezing five years ago in their NFC Championship Game loss to the Chicago Bears. 

If the Saints can win their second title in three years, Brees is a heavy favorite to win his second MVP.

Surprise Choice: Darren Sproles

When I see Sproles, I think of the story,"The Little Engine That Could," that I read as a child.  Despite being on a field against guys who are over a foot and more than 150 pounds heavier than him, Sproles manages to thrive and is one of the bigger offensive threats in the league. 

Most people his size would try to merely survive! 

With his ability to return the ball and the fact he can both run and catch the ball, the Super Bowl could be the place where Sproles shines.  A game in which he has a return TD and a 70-yard offensive score is not out of the question.

If he could have that kind of game, he could steal the MVP honor. 

Baltimore Ravens

Obvious Choice: Ray Rice

The former Rutgers standout has looked simply awesome at the end of the season as he ran the Ravens to victory and a No. 2 seed last week by beating the rival Bengals.  Though Baltimore has a balanced passing attack, Rice is one of the best game-changing running backs in the playoffs.

Rice can take a game over and that's a good thing, considering the Ravens will have to play at least one and probably two games against teams with star quarterbacks.  The Ravens will need a good defense, but also a strong running attack to keep the opposition off the field.

If the Ravens win it all, look for Rice to go for over 150 yards in the Super Bowl.

Surprise Choice: Terrell Suggs

No. 55 may win the NFL defensive player of the year award thanks to his strong play.  Suggs was often an animal on the field, going for 14 sacks, two interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

If the Ravens win, it will take Ray Rice and the defense playing incredibly strong football to take down opponents that have pass-happy offenses.  Suggs is a guy that seems to love the big stage, and there would be none bigger than the Super Bowl. 

San Francisco 49ers

Obvious Choice: Patrick Willis

The 49ers may be the only team in the playoffs that doesn't have a real obvious choice. 

It's ironic that when the 49ers finally had a good year, Patrick Willis has had his quietest season. That's not to say he hasn't been good.  Despite nagging injuries he still had 97 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, four forced fumbles and two recoveries. 

Willis has the talent to take over a game, and with the 49ers being led by their defense, they'll need their defensive stars to lead the day.   

Surprise Choice: Justin Smith

How good has Smith been this year?  Some NFL analysts believe that Smith was so good he could win the NFL's defensive player of the year.

Justin Smith may not have the stats, but he's been the leader of the defense this year.  If they are to win the Super Bowl, they're going to need big games from their best players, and Smith has the talent to step up, make big plays and bring the 49ers their first title since 1995. 

New England Patriots

Obvious Choice: Tom Brady

In many other seasons, Brady would be a lock to win yet another MVP award.  In 2011, he will likely finish third. 

The three-time Super Bowl winner could exact some revenge of sorts if he can win his fourth.  With one of the worst defenses in the league, it will be up to Brady to lead his team to the title.  The good news is the road leads through Foxboro.

The bad news?  That Patriots have lost two straight playoff games there.  If the Pats get to the Super Bowl though, they'll most likely take on either the Packers or Saints, which means you very well could see about 900 passing yards between the two teams.

If that happens and the Pats win, you can certainly assume Brady will win the award.

Surprise Choice: Rob Gronkowski

This year has been termed the Year of the Tight End, so wouldn't it appropriate that Gronkowski, who set the NFL tight end record for receiving yards in a season would win the MVP?

As mentioned above, if the Pats are going to win the Super Bowl, they will do so by throwing the ball...a lot.  Gronkowski has proven to be one of the most uncoverable targets in football.  Seeing him grab 10 catches for at least two touchdowns is not out of the question.

If that were to happen, it's not out of the realm of possibility that another one of Tom Brady's receivers "stole" an MVP award from him. 

Green Bay Packers

Obvious Choice: Aaron Rodgers

I know, I know...what a shock.  But it's a very logical choice considering he's the likely regular-season MVP after he guided his team to a 14-1 record. 

With a defense that gives up both yards and points, Rodgers will have to be at the top of his game as he'll have to navigate through three tough games.

As we've seen this year, the Packers aren't totally unbeatable and every opponent they'll likely face could upend them if Rodgers is not at the top of his game, particularly in the AFC, where they may well have to take on a top defense. 

If the Packers win their second straight championship, Rodgers will have to likely lead them yet again to the promise land.

Surprise Choice: Charles Woodson

The likely future Hall of Famer has enjoyed a great career and there may be no better way to cap it off by winning a Super Bowl MVP.  He had another stellar season with 74 tackles, two sacks, seven interceptions, a forced fumble with a recovery and a defensive touchdown.

Like a fine wine, Woodson just keeps getting better with age.  Though the Packers surrender a ton of yards, they're not the worst in terms of giving up points.  That's due in large part to players like Woodson. 

If he can continue this play in the Super Bowl like making big tackles and intercepting a couple of passes, he could end up being the MVP of the big game.