Super Bowl 2012: Darkhorse MVP Candidates for Each Remaining Playoff Team

Aaron Rodgers is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, but after losing to the New York Giants in the NFC divisional round, a new player will wear the crown this season.

Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tim Tebow have all been sent packing, but there is still plenty of star power left in the playoffs. There are four former Super Bowl MVPs (Ray Lewis, Tom Brady, Deion Branch, Eli Manning) and a slew of other Pro Bowlers still in action.

However, as Dexter "15 Minutes of Fame" Jackson proved in 2003, you don't have to be a big name to take home the postseason's highest individual honor.

Here is each remaining team's dark horse candidate to win Super Bowl MVP.

New York Giants: Victor Cruz, WR

Victor Cruz exploded onto the scene this year, finishing in the top 10 in the NFL in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,536) and touchdown catches (nine).

The speedy Cruz is one of the most dangerous deep threats in a league that's full of them. In the regular season, only Calvin Johnson and Steve Smith had more receptions of 20-plus yards.

Cruz has been pretty quiet so far this postseason (seven catches, 102 yards in two games), but don't be surprised if he erupts soon.

San Francisco 49ers: Dashon Goldson, S

Goldson was huge in San Fransisco's victory over the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. He recorded 11 tackles (all of them solo) and intercepted a Drew Brees pass, which he returned for 41 yards.

Only three players intercepted more passes than Goldson in the regular season. He also recorded 67 tackles despite playing in just 14 games.

The 49ers are the only remaining team without a former Super Bowl MVP on the roster. With a little luck, Goldson could become the first.

Baltimore Ravens: Lardarius Webb, CB

With all the talk about Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and all the other great Ravens defenders, Webb often goes unnoticed.

However, he's more than capable of making a game-changing play. In the regular season he had 67 tackles, 20 pass deflections and was tied for eighth in the league with five interceptions.

He added to that total on Sunday by picking off two T.J. Yates passes.

He's not the best Baltimore defender, but if he makes a couple big plays on football's biggest stage, he can take home some individual hardware.

New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski, TE

The 22-year-old Gronkowski was a monster this season. He led the league in touchdown catches (17) while finishing fifth in receptions (90) and sixth in receiving yards (1,327).

He didn't miss a beat in the Patriots' first game of the playoffs when they destroyed the Denver Broncos. Gronkowski had 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns, all of which came in the first half.

He's a matchup nightmare for every team in the league and I expect him to continue producing at a high level.

Unfortunately for Gronk, history isn't on his side. No tight end has ever won Super Bowl MVP.