Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Tim Tebow and AFC Studs Who Could Win MVP Honors

The AFC playoff race is tight this season, so it will take a strong performance from each team's MVP-caliber player to take their team to the next level above the other.

While some will do it in typical star player fashion, other guys like Tim Tebow will be trying to accomplish it their way.

No matter how it's done, it's going to take a huge performance from one guy to have their team hoisting the Lombardi trophy in the end.

It remains to be seen which NFC team will be there to meet one of these AFC teams come Feb. 5, but you can bet these guys will be the ones who will be the most important in getting them there.

New England Patriots' Tom Brady

He has done it three times before, and there is no doubt that he will be the guy to do it again.

Tom Brady has been a consistent threat during the NFL postseason, and things are not going to be any different this time around.

While the team has yet to make an appearance, everyone already knows that they live and die with Brady.

The Patriots have virtually no defense, so it will take a huge offensive effort to get them to Indianapolis to claim their fourth title under coach Bill Belichick.

Can Brady do it yet again?  Most certainly.

This season, he has thrown for 5,235 yards with 39 touchdowns.  If it wasn't for a certain player in New Orleans, Brady would once again likely be all the talk.

And while he wasn't, one can't dismiss what he is capable of.

This team is going to need three big games from their franchise player, and if they get just that, Brady will get an MVP award that he deserves for all he's accomplished.

Baltimore Ravens' Ray Lewis

While offensive players like quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice have done a lot of great things for this Ravens team this past season, there is no denying what their veteran middle linebacker can get done for this defense during the playoffs.

Lewis had one of the worst seasons of his career, recording only 95 tackles.  Still, he was able to lead the team in that category, even though he often looked slow.

This is the playoffs, though, and you can't just dismiss what this man can do.  Lewis can stop the run, stop the pass and he can control the field.

There's a reason why he was named Super Bowl MVP back in 2001, and he can likely do that again.

There's no doubt Lewis' age is catching up to him, but the adrenaline will kick in for the 13-time Pro Bowl selection.  Three games will not slow him down.

Denver Broncos' Tim Tebow

If the Broncos somehow complete this miracle run with a Super Bowl victory, there's no doubt in anyone's mind that Tebow would be the MVP of this year's playoffs.

In order for Tebow to get there, he will potentially need to outplay quarterbacks like Brady, Flacco, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, or strong defenses that both the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers possess.

No matter which way you spin it, this team will have the toughest road to claiming a title.  If they can do it, it will be because of what Tebow has done for this team.

Hate on him for his mechanics, or lack of pro-style skill, but one thing you cannot deny is what Tebow's done for this team.

His attitude and motivation have risen this team into a playoff contender, and he has already slayed one dragon in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

If Tebow and the Broncos can keep this miracle run going, than there's no denying that he would rightfully deserve MVP honors.