Super Bowl Predictions 2012: Overlooked Players Who Will Steal the Spotlight

The Super Bowl is supposed to be all about the superstars. The marquee names sell the game to casual fans, but it is the under-the-radar players who often take their performance to the next level on this stage that has everyone talking. 

Four years ago, no one could have told you who David Tyree was. He goes out on the field in Super Bowl XLII and has the greatest catch in the history of this game—now he is a legend in New York and is shown every year before the game begins. 

This year's game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots is not going to come down to Tom Brady or Eli Manning. Rather, it is going to be all about the unsung role players who will do something spectacular. 

Here are the players to keep an eye on during Super Bowl XLVI. 

Deion Branch, WR, New England Patriots

Branch has already won a Super Bowl MVP award, so he is no stranger to stepping up in the spotlight. The biggest difference between that game against Carolina in 2003 and this one is that he is no longer the top receiver for the Patriots. 

With Rob Gronkowski battling an ankle injury, it is going to be incumbent upon someone else to step up their game to pick up the slack. 

He has always had a good rapport with Brady, and that comfort level is going to get him a lot of balls thrown his way.

Prediction: Six receptions, 87 yards and one touchdown

Patrick Chung, S New England Patriots

It would be impossible to ignore the defensive lapses that the Patriots have had this year. They are the worst group statistically to ever play in a Super Bowl. 

While the whole is not great, there are some parts that deserve to be singled out. Chung is the enforcer in the secondary. He takes charge of the defensive backfield by making hard hits, throwing opponents around and always attacking the ball.  

He is going to be spying on Eli Manning all game long, hoping to lure him into making mistakes. Other than Vince Wilfork, Chung is the most important defensive player in this game for the Patriots. 

Prediction: Two tackles, one interception

Corey Webster, CB, New York Giants

When you play against the Patriots, you have to contain their passing game if you want to have a chance to beat them. 

Webster is going to have the unenviable task of shadowing Wes Welker. The Giants secondary has been problematic this season, but they have stepped up their game in the playoffs. 

He has done a very good job in these playoffs against Roddy White, Greg Jennings and Michael Crabtree. One more great performance against Welker and the Giants will be celebrating their second Super Bowl in four years. 

Prediction: Five tackles, one sack

Follow @adamwells1985