Giants vs. Patriots: 6 Defensive Players Who Must Come Up Huge

There's an old cliche that says that defenses win championships—well if that's the case, then there are some players who will have to step up in order for the New York Giants or the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl.

With that being said, I have come up with six players, three from each team, who will need to have a big day in order for his respective team to win Super Bowl XLVI. 

Kenny Phillips

Kenny Phillips is going to have to have a big day for the New York Giants if they want to win Super Bowl XLVI.

The biggest key to stopping the New England Patriots is being able to contain tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

As Phillips is a strong safety, he'll likely be covering one of those tight ends depending on the certain play and he's going to have to make sure that neither of them is able to shred New York's secondary. 

Brandon Spikes

The New York Giants may have had one of the worst ground attacks in the NFL for 2011 but that doesn't mean Ahmad Bradshaw or Brandon Jacobs can demolish the New England Patriots run defense.

One of New England's biggest run-stuffers is linebacker Brandon Spikes. 

Spikes recorded 47 tackles in just eight games this season for the Patriots and he's going to have be to all over the field and needs to be in on every play for New England. 

Chase Blackburn

How can I say this nicely? 

Chase Blackburn isn't the greatest linebacker, he's just average.

With that being said, Blackburn is going to have to hold his ground against guys like Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez—as he's one of New York's linebackers and he's going to have to cover one of New England's tight ends. 

Vince Wilfork

Vince Wilfork had an absolutely monster game for the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens as he was in the back-field nearly every play and was able to record six tackles and one sack.

Wilfork is the key to New England's defense and he's going to need to take his game to a whole new level in order to shut down New York's high-powered offense. 

Jason Pierre-Paul

What is there to say about Jason Pierre-Paul besides that he's a freak of nature and a sack machine? He's just that good.

Pierre-Paul needs to have the game of his life against the New England Patriots as he's going to have to do whatever it takes to get pressure on Tom Brady and be a disruptive force. 

Jerod Mayo

In just 14 games this season Jerod Mayo accumulated an impressive 95 tackles.

Mayo is one of the best linebackers in the NFL today and he needs to prove to the world that he is the best come Super Bowl Sunday.

Mayo needs to be in on every play and needs to be a very disruptive force against the New York Giants. He's simply going to have to accumulate a ton of tackles for the Patriots.