Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Vince Wilfork's MVP Performance Will Carry Patriots

When you think of Super Bowl XLVI, names like Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Rob Gronkowski, Victor Cruz, Aaron Hernandez, Hakeem Nicks and Wes Welker are going to jump off the page.

But there are a number of defensive stars who will impact this game, none more so than Vince Wilfork. 

Watching the AFC Championship Game, the biggest reason—literally and figuratively—that the Patriots were able to defeat Baltimore is because of Wilfork's play. He was in Joe Flacco's face all game long and the players around him were able to make things happen because of his dominance. 

Wilfork has been the best part of the much-maligned New England defense for the last two years. A monster in the middle thanks to his size, he is also quick off the snap and manages to sneak into the backfield. 

This year's Super Bowl features as much offensive talent as any game in recent memory. But the difference between the Patriots and Giants will come on defense. Someone is going to have to step up and make some plays in order for his team to walk away with a championship. 

The Giants are not lacking for talent on the defensive line. Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck might be the best defensive end trio in the NFL. 

The difference between those three and Wilfork is that they are one-dimensional players.

They don't defend the run well, while Wilfork is so big and strong that even if he doesn't get a sack he will change the game, because the Giants aren't going to be able to run the ball. 

Defense gets overlooked far too often in the Super Bowl. The last non-offensive player to be named MVP of the game was Tampa Bay's Dexter Jackson in 2003. 

All that will change this year, because Wilfork is playing the best football of his career. He is going to be in Manning's face all game long, he will give the offense great field position and will be the most disruptive force on either team. 

So while there will be plenty of talk about Brady, Manning and what these two offenses are going to do, it will be Wilfork who stands on the podium at the end of Super Bowl XLVI with the Lombardi and MVP Trophies. 

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