Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Wes Welker Will Claim MVP in Patriots Win

Allow me to present you with the man that will take the Patriots to victory in Super Bowl XLVI, avenging their defeat from four years ago. 

Wes Welker will be the man that the Giants can't match up with. He will not only lead his team to a win, but will win the game's MVP award, becoming the first receiver to do so since Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL. 

In the process, the record of 11 catches held by Dan Ross (Super Bowl XVI), Jerry Rice (Super Bowl XXIII), Deion Branch (Super Bowl XXXIX), and Welker (Super Bowl XLII) is in serious danger. Actually, if Rob Gronkowski is playing banged up, that record will be obliterated. 

Take a look at what Welker has done in three games against the Giants since joining the Patriots.

	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns
2007, Week 17	11	122	0
Super Bowl XLII	11	103	0
2011, Week 9	9	136	0

The Giants' secondary does not have an answer for Welker. He is too quick and dangerous with the ball in his hands. You could look at the zero touchdowns, but when you have big receiving targets like Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski, or Aaron Hernandez on the team, the 5'9 Welker is going to get overlooked. Still, he did manage eight touchdowns in 2011.

But that isn't a problem. Welker's value will be getting the Patriots in position to score. More importantly, his quick routes will help Tom Brady get rid of the ball early. In turn, the impact of the Giants' pass rush will minimized. Brady won't have to wait for a long route to get rid of the ball. 

That is where Welker will torch the Giants. The best thing about their defense is the pass rush, but they had the same amount of sacks as the Ravens did during the regular season. New England moved the ball well against Baltimore, who has a much better overall defense than New York. 

		2012 Regular season
	Pass Yards Per Game	Rush Yards Per Game	Points Per Game
Giants	255.1 - 29th in NFL	121.3 - 19th in NFL	25.0 - 25th in NFL
Ravens	196.3 - 4th in NFL	92.6 - 2nd in NFL	16.6 - 3rd in NFL

The teams have the same pass rush, but the Ravens are significantly better in every other category. This matchup will not be nearly as tough for Welker as the one he just dealt with. 

Lastly, if all else fails, Welker has value with his return capabilities. That is how he got into NFL in the first place. Do not be surprised to see him back there returning punts and kicks. 

The Giants' defense will not have an answer for Welker's attack. They do not have the secondary to compete with New England. It will be high scoring, but the Patriots will take Super Bowl XLVI, and Welker will be the game's MVP. 

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