Super Bowl 2011: 10 Underrated Players To Keep Your Eye On

Everyone knows they have to watch what Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger do, that's a no-brainer.

But there are 53 men on each roster, and every one of those guys who are active will play some part in how the game unfolds on Super Bowl Sunday.

Look at what the Steelers did against the Jets last week in the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger threw the ball to Antonio Brown, a rookie few outside of Pittsburgh or his college alma mater of Central Michigan had heard of, and that helped seal the victory over the Jets.

There's always an Antonio Brown lurking on the sidelines. The question is who will make their presence felt in the big game.

10. John Kuhn

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers scores a 7-yard touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Grayt

John Kuhn is listed as third on the Packers depth chart in the backfield, but Kuhn can come through when you least expect it. He is as important to the Packers offense as James Starks and Brandon Jackson.

9. Antonio Brown

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Antonio Brown came through in the clutch last week versus the Jets. With the biggest game of his career coming up, Brown will have the ball thrown his way and be given a chance to prove himself again.

8. Sam Shields

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Sam Shields #37 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts the game's final pass and runs for 32-yards to seal the 21-14 victory for the Packers against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 201

Sam Shields had a great day against the Bears, recording two interceptions. This rookie for the Packers will be back in action against the Steelers, waiting for another opportunity to make his mark in the Super Bowl.

7. Ziggy Hood

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates William Gay's second quarter touchdown scored after Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets fumbled during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in

Ziggy Hood is a great player, but he often gets overlooked due to the performance of players like Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.

Hood will be just as important on Super Bowl Sunday as anyone else on the Steelers defensive line.

6. Erik Walden

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MIAMI - 2009: Erik Walden of the Miami Dolphins poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Miami, Florida. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Erik Walden came to the Packers from Miami this year and got three sacks once he was on board.

Walden could come up with a big play while the Steelers line tries to double team B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews.

5. William Gay

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: William Gay #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs for a second quarter touchdown on a fumble recovery against Mark Sanchez #6 (not pictured) of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 2

William Gay is Bryant McFadden's backup, and he sometimes gets lost in the highlight reels, but Gay is there to give the Steelers another option, and he does have two sacks to his credit.

Gay can help eliminate a target for Aaron Rodgers, and if the call is made, he can sack Rodgers as well.

4. Andrew Quarless

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Andrew Quarless #81 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/

Andrew Quarless has been a good addition to the Packers team, averaging 11.3 yards per catch. He's a great checkdown option for Rodgers, and he can come through in the clutch.

3. Doug Legursky

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PITTSBURGH - 2009: Doug Legursky of the Pittsburgh Steelers poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Assuming Maurkice Pouncey can't play, Doug Legursky becomes one of the most important people on the team.

Legursky will be the center if Pouncey is out, and the responsibility of the position will fall on him.

2. Mason Crosby

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Kicker Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after Eric Weems #14 of the Atlanta Falcons scored a 10-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the seocnd quarter during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Do

Mason Crosby could mean the difference between winning and losing the Super Bowl for the Packers.

The Steelers defense is stingy, and if the game does come down to a three-point difference like the oddsmakers currently are predicting, Crosby will have all the pressure on him.

1. Will Allen

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Safety Will Allen #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during warm ups before playing against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Troy Polamalu has been battling an Achilles injury. Should that injury flare up, or if it's aggravated, Will Allen will be pressed into duty.

Allen's never truly been tested, but if the Steelers like the guy, he's worth keeping an eye on. The Steelers rarely miss on their player evaluations.