Giants vs. Patriots: Underrated Players to Be Aware of Before Super Bowl Starts

The 2012 Super Bowl just may be decided by an unknown player stepping up, making a name for himself and pulling out a huge play in crunch time to save the day.

There are a bunch of candidates on both rosters that have the ability to make this kind of impact.

Let’s take a look.

Julian Edelman

Edelman is a converted wide receiver who played quarterback in college. He’s been matched up against some of the best receivers in the NFL, including Anquan Boldin of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

This guy has ball skills and can even put a hit on the QB given the chance, just look what he did to Vince Young.

With the Patriots secondary having so many question marks going into this game, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for Edelman to make a game-saving interception or sack.

Jake Ballard

The big Giants’ tight end torched the Patriots backup linebackers in the regular season matchup. He caught a huge pass to go ahead in the final seconds and they never relinquished that lead.

If the Patriots decide to double-team Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, as they should, Ballard is going to find himself in one-on-one coverage more often than not.

He will be a force and tough to stop, especially because he stands at a ridiculous 6’6”, 270 pounds.

Sterling Moore

Moore became the MVP of the AFC Championship Game after he stripped Baltimore’s Lee Evans of a potential game-winning touchdown pass.

He’s an undrafted rookie who wasn’t even on the roster at the start of the season but is now preparing to play in the Super Bowl.

Coach Bill Belichick will make sure he understands the importance of this task and prepares like a seasoned veteran, hoping he makes yet another huge play to save the game for the Pats.