Super Bowl Predictions 2012: 5 Dark-Horse Candidates to Bring Home MVP Honors

Even before the game starts, we all know who the front-runners are for the Super Bowl MVP. This year is no different, and judging by the amount of time taken this week to discuss, scrutinize, evaluate and comprehend performances, it will either be Tom Brady of the New England Patriots or Eli Manning of the New York Giants.

You would assume the debate ends there. Well, it shouldn't.

There are 52 other players on each roster who are capable of doing something that makes us all stand up and take notice. We all need a little "wow factor" in this game other than two quarterbacks who, in all likelihood, will steal the show.

Someone, anyone, please step forward.

Could we see another Larry Brown (Dallas Cowboys) or Dexter Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) performance? Is there a linebacker in the house who could play like Ray Lewis (not likely) or maybe even Devin Thomas making another special teams play that helps the Giants win like Desmond Howard did for the Green Bay Packers back in 1997?

Anything is possible, especially on this stage. And we all know with millions watching, everyone will "hopefully" play their best game.

Here are some candidates who could surprise us all and win the MVP award of the Super Bowl.

Danny Woodhead, New England Patriots

Wouldn't this be the best story to come out of the Super Bowl? Everyone loves Danny Woodhead, the "Rudy" of the NFL.

The player from Chadron State (where?) has been a cult hero on the Patriots since being signed in 2010. His small stature (5'7", 195 pounds) proves the little guys can make it in the NFL.

But Woodhead is more than just a "cult hero" in the Patriots' scheme. He runs, blocks, catches and works on special teams. He does everything and does it with determination.

He could be a deciding factor late in the game when New England needs someone underneath in the middle of the field to get an important first down.

And if the little man finds the end zone in the Super Bowl, think of how many times the commentators will discuss him over and over again.

Devin Thomas, New York Giants

I know we discussed him in the opening slide, but what if Thomas works his magic again?

Only once has a kick returner/special teams player won MVP honors (Desmond Howard), but that does not mean Thomas couldn't be the second.

Sometimes, a game like this (as was the NFC Championship Game) is won on a miscue or a huge stop by special teams, where momentum is key to keeping the chains moving.

There won't be rain this time to deal with, but Thomas could not only stick his nose in a pile and recover a fumble or two, but he could return a kick for a score, or better yet, he could become a part of the Giants passing offense if the New York trio of Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks are bottled up by the Patriots secondary.

Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

He was drafted to play wide receiver in the Patriots offense, but has become more of a "do everything" type of player, sharing time at receiver and in the secondary when the Patriots were left without enough players in the defensive backfield.

In the AFC Championship Game, Edelman proved he was just as important to the team for the little things he did while the other more notable players were being contained by the Ravens defense.

During the contest, Edelman played on offense at wide receiver, catching one pass that converted a third-down attempt. He then played on defense at cornerback and forced a fumble on the Ravens' last drive of the game.

Sometimes, the most important things in a playoff game are done by the lesser known players. If Edelman does those types of things on Sunday, he will gain a lot of notoriety.

Jake Ballard, New York Giants

The Giants, over the years, have been famous for using the tight end in their offense. They miss a Mark Bavaro-type bruiser who does a little bit of everything and makes a defender remember him when they collide.

Could Eli Manning look off his primary receivers and find Ballard across the middle or in the end zone?

Things could become interesting if Ballard, an undrafted free agent from Ohio State in 2010, uses his 6'6" and 275 pounds to make some linebacker wish he was covering a running back in the end zone instead of this mountain of a tight end.

We have seen this before. We could see it again.

Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots

I have said this week that if it came down to a kick to win the Super Bowl, I was happier with Lawrence Tynes making it.

That said, Stephen Gostkowski has been solid for the Patriots this season and every year since he joined the team in 2006.

His numbers are impressive. His accuracy undeniable.

Gostkowski finished the season with 143 points, which was just five points short of his career high in 2007. This season, he made 28-of-33 field goals and all 59 of his extra-point attempts. He was also one of two kickers to score five or more points in every game in 2011.

Those numbers could strike fear in the Giants special teams unit.