Giants vs. Patriots: Sleepers Who Will Make Key Plays in Super Bowl XLVI

Tom Brady and Eli Manning are the headliners of Super Bowl XLVI. There are no two players on the field that will be more important than them and they both know it.

While they both have their supporting casts, coaches included, the front-runners for MVP are easily Tom Brady and Eli Manning.

However, MVP's aren't the only reason why teams win Super Bowls. They are dubbed the most valuable, but they are not the only ones on the field making plays.

Whether it be a special teams player (just ask the Ravens and 49ers), an offensive player or a defensive player; there will be other players that need to make big plays in order to secure a win in Super Bowl XLVI.

The likes of Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will certainly be involved. Vince Wilfork, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as well. The question is, who's going to show up like Devin Thomas and Sterling Moore did on Championship Sunday? 

Danny Woodhead

The Patriots' diminutive running back poses a huge threat to the Giants out of the backfield. Big Blue does not do well covering backs. Should the Patriots start to use him, it could pull other Giants out of position.

He saw the ball 10 times for 60 yards in the first meeting this season and could be used more this week in an attempt to neutralize the Giants pass rush.

How they choose to cover him will be very important. 

Jake Ballard

The hero in the regular season meeting between these two could again be Eli's go-to target late in the game.

Belichick will be damned before he lets Cruz and/or Nicks dominate his defensive backs outside the hashmarks and Eli may be forced to go over the middle.

Ballard has a way of showing up at just the right time. 

Deon Grant

The veteran safety is going to be all over field. He's not fast and can be exploited in one-on-one matchups, but he can also wreak havoc because you never know if he's dropping in coverage or hanging around the line of scrimmage.

With Brady so dependent upon Gronkowski and Hernandez, and Antrel Rolle likely following one of them around all day, it will be on Grant to make plays when he has the opportunity.

The Giants have found a way to hide his weaknesses in their three-safety package and they'll need to be even better in this game. 

Kyle Love

The Patriots D-lineman could be a huge factor in this game if he can generate inside pressure.

The Giants will have to show respect to Vince Wilfork and Love could very well be the beneficiary of less attention. If he can push the pocket and keep Eli from stepping into his throws (although the QB does have a knack for making ridiculous throws off his back foot) it could force some bad balls into the secondary.