AFC Championship Game 2012: 3 Patriots Sleepers to Watch on Sunday

Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez aren't the only New England Patriots that will play a vital role in the team's attempt to advance to their fifth Super Bowl in 10 years. 

Come on, you know how well New England plays as a team in January. 

These three underrated guys will be key on Sunday, you can count on that.

Rob Ninkovich, LB 

He's definitely not underrated to the fans in and around Boston. This overachieving linebacker has become quite the pass-rushing force. 

The six-year player out of Purdue is typically sent to the passer at the perfect time by Bill Belichick and his combination of speed and agility make him tough to block. 

Joe Flacco is easily flustered and is one of the few quarterbacks in the NFL that's just as immobile as Brady in the pocket. 

If Ninkovich's blitzes get home and create sacks or force Flacco into hurried decisions, the Patriots will be in business. 

Danny Woodhead, RB 

This would be characterized as a bold prediction, seeing that Woodhead had a mere 77 carries during the regular season. 

There's just something about this game, something that makes me think Woodhead will be featured as Belichick's newest wrinkle for the Ravens. 

Is there anyone more annoying to tackle than this 5-foot-8, 195-pound lightning bug? 

Well, maybe Ray Rice, but you get the idea. 

Outside of Brady getting rid of the ball quickly, continual draw plays to Woodhead are the best way to negate the assailing pass rush coming off the edge. 

Haloti Ngata is a disruptive defensive tackle, but Woodhead can squeak through the smallest holes. 

Expect an expanded role for No. 39 on Sunday. 

Kyle Love, DT 

Vince Wilfork is the face of the defensive line, but second-year tackle Kyle Love is certainly no slouch. He's complemented the mammoth nose tackle well all season and mustered three hard-fought sacks during the year. 

Limiting Rice's production is paramount for the Patriots and although he's a smaller runner, he's willing to run up the middle. 

With Wilfork likely eating up two blockers, Love must do a good job of shedding his blocks and corralling the pesky runner before he reaches the second-level, where his jump cut is deadly. 

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