Super Bowl 2012: 6 Players You Must Watch During Big Game

After we get through the thrills and excitement of Sunday's Pro Bowl (admit it, you'll be glued to the tube, hanging on every play), only one more game remains to be played this season.

Super Bowl XLVI and the showdown between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.

All eyes will certainly be on the likes of quarterbacks Tom Brady and Eli Manning, but there are any number of other players who could be every bit as important in determining who hoists the Lombardi trophy, including the group of players listed here.

Rob Gronkowski: TE, New England Patriots

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski had a season for the ages in 2011, hauling in a ridiculous 90 passes for 1,327 yards and an NFL-record (for a tight end) 17 touchdowns.

However, Gronkowski suffered an ankle sprain in the AFC Championship game, and while the severity of that sprain has been the subject of much debate, it will undoubtedly be one of the big storylines leading up to Super Bowl XLVI.

All indications are that Gronkowski will play in the game, but if he's significantly limited that would be a crushing blow to the New England offense and could be a pivotal swing in the pendulum of momentum between the two clubs.

Antrel Rolle: FS, New York Giants

Even if Gronkowski is limited in the game, fellow New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez isn't exactly a schmuck. With a 910-yard, seven-score 2011 campaign under his belt, he may actually be a bigger downfield threat than Gronkowski due to his athleticism.

The primary job of providing coverage help over the middle will likely fall to free safety Antrel Rolle of the New York Giants, and it will be absolutely crucial that the converted corner do his best to limit New England's dynamic duo if the Giants are going to win the game.

Matt Light: LT, New England Patriots

Offensive tackle Matt Light is charged with the most important task of any the New England Patriots' offensive linemen: protecting the blind side of star quarterback Tom Brady.

Light will need to be at the absolute top of his game in the Super Bowl, as the New York Giants possess three talented defensive ends in Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora, and all three are more than capable of getting after the quarterback, as evidenced by the fact that the Giants ranked third in the National Football League in sacks in 2011.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: RB, New England Patriots

Another way that the New England Patriots can keep the fearsome New York Giants pass rush at bay is to establish a ground game that will keep Jason Pierre-Paul and friends from pinning their ears back and getting after Tom Brady.

The Patriots struggled somewhat in that regard during the regular season however, ranking 20th in the NFL at just over 110 yards per game.

That means that the Pats are going to need all their ball-carriers to step it up, especially running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who has carried the ball 28 times for 98 yards and a touchdown in new England's two playoff wins.

As New England's best between-the-tackles back, it's going to take a better effort than that against the Giants, who ranked 19th in the National Football League against the run in 2011.

David Baas: C, New York Giants

The New England Patriots aren't the only team in the Super Bowl facing a challenge in containing a defensive line, as New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork has been an absolute monster in the playoffs, racking up nine tackles and 2.5 sacks so far in the playoffs.

Much of the task in stopping the 6'2", 325-pound beefeater will fall to New York Giants center David Baas. The former University of Michigan standout will probably have his hands full trying to keep Wilfork from trying to devour quarterback Eli Manning.

Not sure if I mean literally or figuratively there, but the Giants might want to get Baas some help inside.

Like a forklift maybe.

Lawrence Tynes: K, New York Giants

Just in case you missed the AFC and NFC Championship games, having a reliable kicker can be the difference between a trip to Indianapolis and going home to Baltimore.

Kind of an ironic statement, but anyway...

New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes may well have nailed the game-winning field goal in the NFC title game, but in the regular season the eighth-year veteran connected on only 79.2 percent of his field-goal attempts, which tied for 22nd at his position in the National Football League.

Making (or missing) a field goal in the Super Bowl can define a kicker's entire career, as Adam Vinatieri and Scott Norwood can readily attest. So, in a game that could well be decided by a field goal, Tynes had better be prepared for what could be the kick of a lifetime.