Super Bowl 2012: Ranking the Top 5 Offensive Talents Remaining in Playoffs

Every one of the four teams left in the playoffs has one offensive player who will take his team to the Super Bowl if not contained. 

The point spreads, experience and home-field advantage will mean nothing if these studs aren't kept in check.

5. Vernon Davis

Davis is the classic hybrid tight end. He is too big for any defensive back to line up against, and too fast for any linebacker. 

The proof of that is his seven catches, 180 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. 

If the Giants can't figure out a way to contain Davis, the 49ers will be making a trip to Indianapolis.

4. Ray Rice

There is nothing to not like about Rice. He rushed for 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season, but it doesn't stop there. As a pass catcher, Rice had 704 yards and three touchdowns. That is more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage, which is dominant. 

On top of that, Rice has already shown that he can burn the Patriots in the playoffs. Baltimore's chances of moving the ball consistently rest on Rice being given room to run.

3. Rob Gronkowski

Gronk is a freak. He is too big for any one defender in the league to defend. He caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season. Those numbers are astronomical for a tight end. 

If Baltimore's defense doesn't figure out a way to contain Gronkowski, the Patriots will cruise to the Super Bowl. Not many players are 6'6", 265 pounds with speed. Baltimore must keep Gronkowski from getting out in his routes. If he runs free, the Brady-Gronk duo will dominate.

2. Eli Manning

Manning is clutch. The best proof you need of that is the fact that he set the record for most fourth-quarter touchdown passes this year. 

When the Giants were down 12 points in Dallas, he threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns, saving New York's season. He is elite and the primary reason the Giants are in the playoffs, let alone the NFC Championship Game. 

The 49ers do not want to see Manning line up against them in a two-minute drill.

1. Tom Brady

With Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees out, there isn't a quarterback left that is anywhere near Brady's level. He led his team to a 13-3 regular season; Manning was 9-7. The individual numbers favor Brady as well. Take a look.

	Comp. Percentage	Yards	Touchdowns	Interceptions
Tom Brady	65.6	5,235	39	12
Eli Manning	61	4,933	29	16

When the game is on the line, no player in the league is more frightening for opponents. When his best talent was Randy Moss, Brady threw a better deep ball than anyone. Now that it is Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker, he is better at throwing over the middle than anyone. 

Going against a defense like Baltimore's, there isn't one quarterback in the NFL I would want before Brady.

Follow @mdixon1985