Super Bowl 2012: Power Ranking Odds-on Favorites to Take Home MVP Award

Many players would tell you that winning an individual honor doesn't even compare to winning a major piece of team hardware like the Lombardi Trophy. And most of players are full of it, just hoping to avoid criticism. Everybody likes to be recognized for doing a terrific job.

Let's examine the favorites to take home the Super Bowl MVP Award as we enter conference championship weekend. Even though they'll thank their teammates, it will have a prominent place on their mantle.

1. Tom Brady

Tom Brady is the best player on the most explosive team remaining, so he's the obvious pick. Tom Terrific may have been overshadowed by Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees during the regular season, but the New England Patriots signal caller is the last of of that trio still standing.

If the Patriots claim another Super Bowl title, Brady will have had to carve up two formidable defenses to make it happen. You can give credit to his main weapons, Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker, but a championship isn't possible unless Brady is a dominant force.

Odds: 2/1

2. Eli Manning

There seems to be a trend developing in the NFL over the past couple seasons. It's a lot better to find a rhythm late, like Eli Manning and the New York Giants have done, than to be consistently great all season and enter the playoffs without facing any adversity.

Manning's performance over the next two games could move him into the upper echelon of quarterbacks after spending his entire career in the second-tier range. To lead New York to another Super Bowl triumph, he must continue to find Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz for big plays.

Odds: 5/1

3. Ray Rice

The Baltimore Ravens were able to survive even though Ray Rice was only able to contribute 80 total yards against the Houston Texans. They won't be as lucky if he doesn't take his game to the next level when they face the Patriots on Sunday.

Joe Flacco isn't good enough to carry the offense on his shoulders, just as Ed Reed suggested. That means Rice will need to make some big plays out of the backfield to push Baltimore over the top. If he makes it happen twice in a row, he'll be deserving of the MVP.

Odds: 7/1

4. Patrick Willis

What makes the San Francisco 49ers' run so surprising is the lack of marquee players on the roster. We have been lead to believe the NFL is a superstar's league, but the 49ers are proving that theory incorrect. Patrick Willis is probably the team's most impactful player.

While it takes an extraordinary effort for a defensive player to win the MVP Award, Willis is certainly capable of delivering that. If the 49ers are able to complete the dream season with a win in Indianapolis, Willis will be deserving of the MVP nod.

Odds: 12/1