Super Bowl 2012: 4 Under-the-Radar Players Who Will Play Huge Roles

From Tom Brady to Eli Manning to Jason Pierre-Paul to Rob Gronkowski, there are a ton of superstars in Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.

That doesn't mean a few under-the-radar players won't be important to each team in this Super Bowl XLII rematch, though.

Let's look at two more overshadowed guys from each squad who will be vital on February 5th. 

New York Giants

Mathias Kiwanuka 

Kiwanuka is certainly not an unknown, but with the Giants' defensive line in front of him, he's definitely an underrated member of the defense. 

At his outside linebacker position, the six-year veteran has vast responsibilities that range from rushing the quarterback on delayed blitzes, reaching running backs on pitches and outside stretch plays and covering opposing teams' tight ends. 

Occasionally, you'll find him with his hand on the ground as a primary pass-rusher.

With the two full weeks Bill Belichick has to game-plan for the Giants' defensive front four, expect a variety of new looks on Super Bowl Sunday.

That being said, the Patriots head coach will still have a ton of plays designed for tight ends Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez over the middle.

Kiwanuka must provide solid contributions to the pass-rush against the Patriots' stonewall offensive line. What's more, he must limit Gronkowski and Hernandez and be sure to wrap up once they get the football in their hands.  

Kenny Phillips 

I don't believe New York will have trouble moving the football and scoring against New England's defense. Therefore, both under-the-radar players who will play huge roles for the Giants are on the defensive side of the football. 

Phillips was scorched by Vernon Davis last week to the tune of three catches for 112 yards and two long touchdowns. 

On February 5th, he faces an even more formidable task. 

Gronkowski should be near 100 percent by the Super Bowl and is one of the toughest tight ends to match up against in the league. 

Phillips won't be tested over the top, but he'll see an array of intermediate seam routes in front of him. 

With Gronkowski and Hernandez's run-after-the-catch ability, he will also have to corral the terrific tight end tandem when Brady finds them. 

The Giants safety cannot have another game in which he allows multiple big plays to happen down the field.

New England Patriots

Danny Woodhead

What's the easiest, most simplistic way to negate a team's pass rush? The draw play, of course. Don't forget about screen passes, either.  

Woodhead has undoubtedly made a name for himself, but after a mere 77 carries during the 2011 regular season, he'd fall into the under-the-radar category. 

Bill Belichick will likely implement more running plays to keep the defensive line from continually pinning back their ears and going full-bore at Tom Brady on every snap. 

With the Giants' defensive line's aggressive style of play, Woodhead could see a ton of huge holes on delayed runs and quick, short passes.

Tom Coughlin will develop a game plan around stopping Gronk and Hernandez, which is ideal for the tiny Woodhead to make a lasting impression on Super Bowl XLVI.

Deion Branch 

Another secondary offensive weapon for the Patriots, Deion Branch will be a factor in their Super Bowl rematch with the Giants. 

Just like Woodhead, with all the attention on the tight ends and Wes Welker, how could he not play a major role? 

He isn't nearly as consistent as the rest of the Pats' pass-catchers and cannot separate from cornerbacks as easily as he used to, but he's their only deep threat and has come up with some huge plays when you'd least expect it for New England all season. 

With the Giants safeties homing in on the tight ends in front of them, Branch may find himself man-to-man on the outside on more than one occasion. 

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