Super Bowl MVP 2012: Power Ranking the Most Likely Candidates for the Award

Since I am predicting the New England Patriots will defeat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, my rankings will obviously have a strong Patriots' feel.  

With that established, here are the players most likely to come up with the games' MVP honors. They are ranked countdown style:

4. Deion Branch, WR

Branch won the award in 2004 as the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles and repeated as champions. It's the only time in the Tom Brady era that the Pats won the Super Bowl and Brady wasn't the MVP.

These days Branch plays a smaller role. Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker are Brady's go-to guys, and Branch is third in the pecking order.

That's exactly why he's on the list.

Branch's 51 receptions for 702 yards this season was more than respectable, so he is still capable of having a big game.

Brady does a great job spreading the ball around if his primary targets are taken away. The Giants will key on Gronkowski because he has been so stellar this season. Welker will get his requisite amount of attention and it just may open the door for Branch to have another great Super Bowl performance.

3. Rob Gronkowski

Sure, Gronk had a huge year, setting a record with his 17 TDs, but the injury and the obvious scrutiny the Giants will place on him keeps him third on my list.

When he's healthy, Gronkowski can still beat coverages designed to slow him down, but being just a few days removed from a walking boot changes things.

But he can still be a big factor in this game, and that is why I still have Gronk third. He could be playing possum, which would certainly not be out of the ordinary for the New England Patriots. Still, since he is reported to be less than fully healed from the high ankle sprain, that has to factor in.

If he were 100 percent, I'd have him slated first or second.

2. Wes Welker

Welker is somewhat of a forgotten man amidst Gronk-mania. Let us not forget that Welker had 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine TDs this season; that is 98 yards per game. That makes him almost a lock for a 100-yard receiving game.

Those types of games are pretty significant in the Super Bowl. Three of the last four receivers to have 100-yard receiving games for the Super Bowl winner also won the MVP.

Welker has a great shot at winning the award if the Patriots win, as I expect they will.

1. Tom Brady

This is Brady's time. It's his chance to gain revenge, and it's on his mind, whether he admits it or not. The offense revolves around his unique abilities more this year than it ever has.

He will spread the ball around, he will find open men, and the Giants defense will not allow one receiver to dominate the game.

Expect to see a game that has Brady hitting seven different receivers with none having more than 80 yards receiving.

Brady had his worst game of the season last week against the Ravens, and he almost never has two bad games in a row. His passer rating was a season-low 57.5 in the AFC title game.

Throughout the season, Brady has followed his four sub-100 QB rating performances with great games. He has thrown 10 TDs and only one pick following un-Brady like performances, and in those games his QB rating is 108.5.

Brady will rebound and lead his team to a Super Bowl win, taking home the game's MVP award in the process.