Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Which Defensive Players Will Perform the Best?

In a Super Bowl that's being overwhelmed with an extreme amount of offensive talent, there's some really stout defensive players in this game also.

Both New England and New York may be offensive-oriented teams, but then again, so is the entire NFL. That said, here's a tribute to the defensive players who will step up big in Super Bowl XLVI.

Justin Tuck, Most Sacks/QB Hits

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck will get the most sacks in the game because he's going to be facing Patriots rookie tackle Nate Solder.

With Jason Pierre-Paul and Matt Light locked in a big one-on-one matchup opposite of Tuck and Solder, New York has a distinct advantage in this situation.

That being said, Tuck must anticipate a chip-block from a releasing tight end or running back against the rookie, so some inside moves may be created early to setup an outside move and get Solder off balance.

And anytime the Pats go four- or five-wide with no one lining up to chip-block Tuck, expect an outside rush to beat Solder off the snap. The more Tuck can dominate the rookie Solder, the more New England's offense will struggle with rhythm and timing.

Prediction: 2.5 sacks, five QB hits

Michael Boley, Most Tackles

Finishing second on the Giants with 93 tackles in the regular season, Michael Boley has been a force behind New York's excellent front seven all season long.

His ability to sniff out screen, draws and running backs into the flats is arguably his best attribute, and you cannot leave Boley unblocked.

The problem is getting to him, because Boley has great instincts and a nose for finding the ballm as evidences by his team-leading three fumbles recoveries. He'll likely be responsible for jamming any slot receiver or tight end at the line while spying any running back.

With the front four focused on getting to Brady, Boley must take control of everything else—receivers coming across the middle, delayed routes and maintaining coverage on a broken play to keep the coverage strong.

He's not going to do a lot of blitzing, so limiting the Pats' ground game and free releases on receivers and tight ends will be necessary.

Prediction: 14 tackles—eight solo, six assisted

Devin McCourty, Most Passes Defended

The Patriots' best cover corner, Devin McCourty was a 2010 All-Pro selection as a rookie with 82 tackles, seven picks, two forced fumbles and 17 passes defended.

He didn't earn a Pro Bowl selection in 2011, but McCourty still defended 12 passes, got two picks and made 87 tackles.

He'll likely be in single coverage against Hakeen Nicks and/or Victor Cruz for most of the game, with some safety help over the top. There, McCourty will need to use the sideline more than ever to his advantage while getting inside press coverage leverage.

McCourty has the awareness to make plays downfield, and his lockdown production will be needed to slow Eli Manning and Co. Expect him to get challenged quite often, though, because it's much easier to throw against single coverage than it is to anyone who's doubled-up.

Prediction: Six defended, one pick, five breakups

Vince Wilfork, Most Run Stuffs

Although the game's outcome will mainly be predicated on each offense's passing game, the ground game will be equally important to be effective.

Each team can run the ball at will rather well. The sole difference lies in the middle and Vince Wilfork. Wilfork's ability to control either A-gap in New England's 3-4 scheme will pay benefits against a stout Giants offensive line.

For one, New York needs to be more effective through the air in order to have success on the ground, whereas the Pats proved against Baltimore that they can run the ball much better when needed. The Giants finished with the NFL's worst rush offense in 2011, so exploiting that will be crucial to win this game.

Wilfork will need to virtually be impenetrable and unblockable when put in one-on-one situations. New York isn't much of a slam-the-trenches type of team anyway, but their two-back system is one of the better tandems in the league.

So, expect Wilfork to use his prowess and manhandle the middle while either forcing runs outside or causing pileups. He is the key to Bill Belichick's 1-5-5/3-4 front.

Prediction: Five-run stuffs

John Rozum on Twitter.