Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Health of Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski Will Be Key

The health of the New England Patriots' star tight end Rob Gronkowski is going to be a key factor in determining whether or not they will beat the New York Giants.

I firmly expect that he will play and help lead the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl win.

At this point, it's suffice to say that when Gronkowski is on the field, he is potentially the most explosive player out there.

Tom Brady may be the one getting him the ball—and I'm not taking anything away from him, mind you—but Gronk makes some unbelievable plays look silly easy.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Gronkowski is essentially a star wide receiver in the body of a star tight end.

He's got breakaway speed, incredible hands and a knack for making things happen after the catch.

At 6'6'', 265 pounds, this makes him nearly unstoppable. Well, we thought he was unstoppable until now.

If there is one thing that can stop even the greatest of players, it's injury, and the Patriots and Gronk got quite a scare in their win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game.

Brady found Gronkowski for a big gain late in the third quarter, but as Gronk was trying to break the tackle of renowned "Patriots killer" Bernard Pollard—who ended Brady's season in 2008 with that knee injury, and then was in on the tackle that tore Wes Welker's ACL in 2009—he came down awkwardly with Pollard and seemed to roll his ankle.

It looked horrible as Gronkowski limped off the field and headed to the locker room, but just seven plays later he was back on the field.

He later stated that he's all good and looking forward to the Super Bowl after the game, according to Jeff Howe of NESN.com, so for now Patriots fans can rest easy.

Howe's report did also state that Gronkowski's left ankle was swollen though, so his health and the status of that ankle is going to be one of the key storylines heading into the Super Bowl.

Brady is one of the best ever, but it's Gronkowski who truly makes this offense elite this year.

He finished the season with elite numbers, putting up 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, and goes into the Super Bowl having collected 232 yards and three touchdowns.

If Gronk is healthy, which I expect he will be, look for him to come up big on the game's biggest stage, and be a key contributor in a New England Super Bowl win.