Super Bowl 2012: Unsung Players Ready to Make a Huge Impact

The 2012 Super Bowl is going to propel the following players into household names—that is a testament to the power of the Super Bowl. 

The attention of this game can make an otherwise faceless player into a legend with one performance. We need look no further than the last time these two teams met in the Super Bowl. WR David Tyree carries an amount of fame that far outweighs the tiny stats he compiled in his brief career. 

Here are three players who are going to follow a similar path to stardom:

Jake Ballard, TE, (New York Giants)

Ballard has been a solid and consistent weapon all year for the Giants. He was charged with the task of replacing Kevin Boss, and he did not disappoint; in 14 games, Ballard had 38 catches for 604 yards and four touchdowns. 

Ballard was dealing with an injured knee during the 49ers game, but with two weeks to rest for this game against New England, he should be ready to go. 

That is a huge plus for the Giants, as Ballard is going to be a key cog in their passing attack. In their first meeting this season, Ballard had 67 receiving yards and one touchdown. He will improve on those numbers in this game. 

The Giants have a talented group of receivers, and the Patriots' defensive game plan is going to center around stopping them—which is also a defense that is not good at stopping TEs to begin with. Football Outsiders ranks the Pats 29th in stopping opposing TEs. 

This will provide an excellent chance for Ballard to sneak open and hit for big plays. 

Prediction: 5 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD

Mark Anderson, LB (New England Patriots)

Anderson had a solid year rushing the passer. He ended the regular season with 10 sacks and added another one in the playoff win over the Ravens. 

He is going to save his best game for the season finale, because as well as the Giants have been playing, they have not been doing a sterling job of protecting the passer. 

They have allowed eight sacks and 24 QB hits this postseason. and Anderson will increase those numbers as he rushes off the edge with ill intent. 

Prediction: 2.5 sacks

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB (New York Giants)

Bradshaw is a borderline candidate for this unsung list. However, after an injury-plagued season in which he gained only 659 yards at 3.9 yards a carry, he most definitely enters this game as an unsung player. 

Bradshaw has had a solid postseason with 200 yards at 4.6 yards a carry—and he is ready to take that production up a notch in the Super Bowl.

The Patriots' defense is going to be geared up to stop the Giants' passing attack. This is going to free up some space for Bradshaw to do his dirtiest deeds on the biggest stage. He will break off a couple of long runs in this one, one of which won't end until he is coasting in the end zone. 

Prediction: 127 rushing yards, 1 TD