Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Players Destined to Shine on Massive Stage

This Super Bowl is going to be dominated by the quarterbacks: Eli Manning and Tom Brady. They are going to provide an exciting, action-packed and back-and-forth contest. 

Ultimately, it is Manning who will lead his Giants to victory, but this is not about who is going to win the game. This article is dedicated to the players that are going to fill up their stat sheets and delight the crowds. 

Eli Manning 

The Giants QB has been on an absolute tear. He has eight touchdowns and just one interception in his three playoff games this season. 

He is in a zone, and he has an excellent complement of receivers to help him push those numbers over the top. 

Those receivers are going to prove to be way too much for the Patriots' patchwork secondary to handle. New England finished the season ranked 31st in passing yards, and while they have shown signs of improvement, they are still not a solid enough unit to stop Eli. 

New England allowed Ravens QB Joe Flacco to throw for over three bills and two touchdowns against them. Manning is going to better those numbers. 

Prediction: 29-of-37, 342 yards, 3 touchdowns

Tom Brady

Tom Brady put together another stellar season, and he is going to cap that with a great performance in the Super Bowl. 

Brady finished the season throwing 39 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. He also chucked for over 5,200 yards. 

While he struggled against the Ravens, he will put that behind him. Brady threw two picks and no interceptions against Baltimore. He also missed some throws in that game that he never misses. 

Brady had missed some practice time leading up to the game with a sore left shoulder. While he didn't attribute his performance to his shoulder, it seemed clear that it was bothering him. 

With two weeks off between now and the Super Bowl, that shoulder will have ample time to heal and Brady will be free to attack the Giants' secondary. 

While New York has been playing vastly improved pass defense, they will not be able to handle Brady in this epic game. 

Prediction: 26-of-36, 331 yards, 2 touchdowns

Victor Cruz

Cruz burst onto the scene this year. He finished the regular season with 82 catches, 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. He has not slowed in the playoffs. Cruz has 17 catches for 244 yards in three games, and he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is ready for the big stage. 

In the NFC Championship Game, he had 10 catches for 142 yards. 

This dynamic receiver is going to make sure his coming-out party keeps on salsa dancing through the Super Bowl. 

The Patriots have struggled to guard wide receivers all season. Football Outsiders ranks them 32nd against opposing No. 1s and No. 20 against No. 2s. 

Against the Ravens they allowed receivers Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith to combine for 183 yards and one touchdown. 

Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will combine for similar production with Cruz ending up with the best numbers. 

Prediction: 8 catches, 114 yards, 1 touchdown