Super Bowl 2012: Vince Wilfork and Aging Stars That'll Make Their Mark

With the 2012 Super Bowl just a few hours away, it’s time to look at the aging players that will make the most of what could be their last chance at glory.

My prediction that the New England Patriots will squeeze out a tight 24-23 victory over the New York Giants on Super Bowl Sunday means that all for the veteran players that come up huge will be Pats.

Despite the fact that Giants fans will complain, all of the following players will have huge games and help Tom Brady and Bill Belichick hoist their fourth Super Bowl.

Vince Wilfork, NT

Everyone knows that the Patriots offense needs to come up huge, but there may be no player on either team that will step up bigger than nose tackle Vince Wilfork. At 6’2” and 325 pounds, expect plenty of Wilfork coming right through the middle.

With Wilfork riding the momentum of a regular season that saw him achieve career-highs in almost every defensive statistical category, the Patriots need him to create the pressure on Eli Manning the linebackers and defensive ends have failed to do.

Wilfork will be 31 before next year’s playoffs, so there are concerns about how much longer he will be able to play in the NFL. The tackle knows this too and will dominate on Sunday with several tackles and a key sack in the fourth quarter.

Wes Welker, WR

Everyone knows Wes Welker is one of the best receivers in the NFL, but many fail to realize that the tiny star will be 31 in May. He’s not getting any younger here, folks.

Despite his age, Welker seems to have lost no speed. If he has, he has made up for it with shiftiness and an ability to work a defender at the line of scrimmage and explode past them.

In New England’s loss to New York, Welker had nine catches for 136 yards with no touchdowns. Look for the same numbers through the air, but you can expect Brady to lean on his little buddy for at least two scores.

Matt Light, OL

The biggest part of the success the Giants have against the Patriots is their ability to rush the passer. They know that when Brady feels pressure, his numbers drop way down.

That’s where Matt Light comes in. The veteran left tackle will be responsible for holding off the right defensive end position of New York. While that doesn’t seem that bad, that entails going every snap against Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora.

While many have asked how much Light has left in the tank or if this will be the last game he protects Brady, there is no doubt in my mind that he has enough left to give Brady time to make the plays he needs to make.

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