Who Will Be The MVP Of Super Bowl XLII?

Patriots' Tom Brady

Think about the last year of Tom Brady's life.

He was given Randy Moss to throw the football to, he had a baby, he broke rival Peyton Manning's single-season touchdown pass record and he hasn't lost a game. Oh yeah, and let's not forget that he's dating Gisele.

Needless to say, things are going pretty good for the Golden Boy in the last year, and a Super Bowl MVP is the only logical conclusion for such a storybook season. Brady won the regular-season MVP, and provided there's no shocking Giants upset, there's no reason to believe that Brady won't win be awarded the MVP trophy for Sunday's game.

Patriots' Laurence Maroney

Tom Brady and Randy Moss are the clear favorites to win Super Bowl XLII MVP - as long as the Patriots win - but the player that will come out on top and make a real impact on Sunday's game has little to do with New England's passing game.

Running back Laurence Maroney will have a breakout game against the Giants' defense putting most of their focus on the dynamic duo of the Patriots' version of Batman and Robin. There is no way Tom Brady will win the Super Bowl MVP, because Maroney will run wild on the Giants.

Dan: With the question of who might be Super Bowl XLII MVP come Sunday night, there is only one logical answer - it has to be the Golden Boy, Tom Brady. Love him or hate him, Brady was dominant in the regular season and his decision-making on Sunday will be the deciding factor in a Patriots win.

Jim: Winning the Super Bowl MVP would certainly cement his legacy in the game of football this season, but with all the pressure that the New York Giants can potentially put on the quarterback - and with Brady's right ankle not at full strength - it will be the legacy of second-year running back Laurence Maroney that will emerge. Maroney will have a breakout game with most of the Giants' defense on stopping the duo of Brady and Moss.

Dan: Maroney is a nice player and a very solid running back for the Patriots. However, he was often ignored in the Pats' offense during the season. Why? Because they have Mr. Perfect in Brady, that's why. The supermodel-dating quarterback threw for 4,806 yards 50 touchdowns. New England has been relying on the man who can do no wrong all season, they won't stop now.

Jim: That was the regular season. The playoffs are a whole other animal. Against both the Jaguars and Chargers, Maroney had two stellar games with 122 rushing yards and a touchdown in both contests. Brady struggled against the San Diego defense with three interceptions and only 209 yards. Those numbers won't get you the MVP of a high school game. Maroney with be there to pick up the pieces with the Giants put all their eggs in one basket to stop the Patriots potent passing game.

Dan: You're forgetting that Brady was hurt for the end of that San Diego game, which is why he was wearing that cute little boot the following day. And besides, the Chargers secondary is much better than what the Giants will throw at Brady. Antonio Cromartie led the league in picks, but he isn't on the Giants. Sam Madison and Aaron Ross have been banged up in the postseason, and Corey Webster is a liability back there to put it nicely.

Jim: When you look back at the Giants game against the Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, it was that same New York secondary that stopped Terrell Owens, a receiver with as much if not more talent than Randy Moss, and Tony Romo, who was arguably one of the best in the league this year. And who stepped up and carried the load when the Giants stopped the Cowboys' passing game? Marion Barber, who ran for 129 yards and a touchdown. Barber has a similar running style to Maroney, and they both went to school together at Minnesota.

Dan: That's definitely a good point, but the fact is Brady torched the Giants defense a month ago in their Week 17 match-up for 356 yards, so I doubt the Giants will shut him down. If that does magically happen, then Maroney isn't guaranteed success, as he averaged just 2.4 yards per carry against the Giants in Week 17.

Jim: Yes, Brady had a good game against the Giants, but that game gave this defense a look at the passing game and information that they can then use in the Super Bowl. The Giants will show Brady some new looks and it will be a much more confident pass defense that steps on the field in Arizona. Plus, Maroney had two touchdowns in Week 17. If he scores two touchdowns against New York on Sunday, the MVP will be his. Give Brady a night off from the spotlight for a change.