Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Non-QBs Most Likely to Win MVP

Of the last 10 NFL Super Bowl MVPs, six have played quarterback. That number balloons up to 80 percent when you look at just the past five years.

Considering that the New England Patriots and New York Giants have two of the best passing offenses in the league, there's a good chance this year's MVP will be Tom Brady or Eli Manning.

But what if neither Gisele's wife nor Peyton's brother wins the prestigious award? Who will step up?

Hakeem "I Have a Higher Vertical Than Any of the New York" Nicks

Of the last three Super Bowls that didn't have a QB for MVP, the award went to a wide receiver. In this game, there will be a lot of wide receivers to choose from.

From the Giants' side, it's going to be either Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz. In their last six games, both players have led the team in receiving three times. It's anyone's guess who will break out on any given night.

However, according to Football Outsiders (the website run by that nerdy numbers guy on that ESPN show about, well, numbers), New England is 32nd in the NFL against No. 1 receivers, while they are just 20th and 25th against No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, respectively.

That's why guys like Anquan Boldin, Demaryius Thomas and Brandon Marshall have gone off against the Pats in recent weeks. And that's why Nicks is going to do it in the Super Bowl.

Go Wes, Young Man

On the Patriots side, there's even more pass-catching options. Tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski have been nearly unstoppable this year.

However, Gronk isn't going to be 100 percent healthy, and Hernandez has been inconsistent at times this year. Also, the Giants have been solid against tight ends, giving up just 56.5 yards per game.

That leaves little Wes Welker, who had a ridiculous 122 catches on the season, but has been slowed down (kind of) to the tune of six catches and 54 yards per game in the playoffs.

But, the Giants have struggled against slot receivers this year, and Welker should be a common short-yardage target for Brady, as he finds himself under lots of quick pressure. 

You Down With JPP? Yeah You Know Me

If a defensive player is going to win MVP, he's going to come from the New York Giants. Someone on the Pats could presumably step up, but their lack of playmakers makes it too risky to pick any of them.

Furthermore, if a defensive player from the Giants wins the award, it's going to be someone who slows down Mr. Tom Brady. And no one in this New York secondary is capable of doing that.

It's going to have to be someone from the defensive line who harasses Brady, and forces him into quick throws. Jason Pierre-Paul, who racked up 16.5 sacks during the season, is going to provide that pressure. 

Osi Umenyiora has been better in the playoffs, but I'll stick with the 6'5", 278-pound monster who can do things like this: