Ranking the 3 Least Likely, but Viable, Super Bowl MVPs

There is a great chance Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady win the Super Bowl MVP this year. But they are far from a lock to take the trophy back to their respective cities. 

Let's take a look at the guys who aren't extremely likely to win the award, but will certainly play integral roles if their teams make a magical Super Bowl run. 

A.J. Green

If the Bengals make the playoffs, it'll be as the No. 6 seed, and they will have to make a Green Bay-esque journey to the Super Bowl. 

During the 2011 regular season, Andy Dalton was the talk of the team, showing maturity and poise beyond his years as Cincinnati exceeded many expectations. Some even thought he deserved Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration. 

However, without the impressively reliable Green, the Bengals wouldn't be in a position to make the postseason.

If the Bengals advance to the Super Bowl, the rookie wideout from Georgia will undoubtedly be a major factor.

He's tremendous at coming down with the jump ball and that facet of his game has become the most dynamic security blanket for Dalton this season.  

Justin Smith

If you don't know Justin Smith, time to get familiar. 

Now. 

The guy is an absolute beast with a motor that doesn't quit who has become a fixture in his opponent's backfields this season. 

The 49ers don't necessarily have an explosive offense and will almost certainly attempt to win playoff games by giving a heavy workload to Frank Gore and stymieing opposing offenses. 

If they make a triumphant run to a Super Bowl title, you better believe Smith will play an integral role. 

He springs the rest of his defensive teammates by eating up double-teams and frequently beats offensive linemen at the point of attack.

A few sacks and a handful of tackles for loss in the Super Bowl are not out of the question for Smith, a guy who could win the Defensive Player of the Year.  

Rashard Mendenhall

The Pittsburgh Steelers have slowly morphed into a vertical passing team that definitely has put the running game at a lower priority. 

They've done so with good reason. 

Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and even Emmanuel Sanders are legitimate burners who can stretch the field with their track-star speed, which also makes them fantastic underneath drag route wideouts because of their yards-after-the-catch ability. 

However, with opposing secondaries focusing on stopping the big play against the Steelers, Rashard Mendenhall, who's had somewhat of a surprising 2011 campaign, could be in for a big postseason, and Super Bowl if the Steelers again advance to the big game. 

His 225-pound frame makes him an ideal postseason back.