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Power Ranking Top 10 MVP Candidates of Super Bowl XLIX

Power Ranking the Top 10 MVP Candidates of Super Bowl XLIX

Power Ranking Top 10 MVP Candidates of Super Bowl XLIX
Noah K. Murray - USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl XLIX has been set with the top seeds of the AFC and NFC surviving the playoffs to square off in Arizona. It’s the stage on which stars are born by winning the Super Bowl MVP honor. As the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks prepare to square off, here are 10 of the top MVP candidates heading into Super Bowl Sunday.

10. Jermaine Kearse

jermaine kearse
Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

10. Jermaine Kearse

jermaine kearse
Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off his heroics in overtime of the NFC Championship, Jermaine Kearse could keep the momentum going into the Super Bowl. If he can break off some big plays over the top, look for Kearse to secure the MVP of Super Bowl XLIX.

9. Devin McCourty

devin mccourty
Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

9. Devin McCourty

devin mccourty
Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

Playing center field for the Patriots offense could put Devin McCourty in position for a big Super Bowl performance. The Packers’ safeties found plenty of plays against Seattle in the NFC Championship and could put McCourty in position for a huge night.

8. Byron Maxwell

byron maxwell
Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

8. Byron Maxwell

byron maxwell
Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

Playing opposite of Richard Sherman means that Byron Maxwell often gets targeted quite a bit as the “easier” option to test in the Legion of Boom. Maxwell, however, is no slouch and can create some big-time plays for the Seattle defense if he rises to the challenge.

7. Rob Ninkovich

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David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports

7. Rob Ninkovich

rob ninkovich
David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports

As the Pats’ leading pass rusher, Rob Ninkovich gets used in a variety of ways to provide pressure. If he gets home a couple of times, perhaps causes a fumble or two, New England’s leading sack artist could easily be MVP.

6. Michael Bennett

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Steven Bisig - USA TODAY Sports

6. Michael Bennett

michael bennett
Steven Bisig - USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle pass rush is a formidable force thanks in large part to Michael Bennett. If he plays in the face of Tom Brady all night long, recording a few sacks and a strip or two, Bennett is as strong a candidate as any to be named MVP.

5. Julian Edelman

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Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

5. Julian Edelman

julian edelman
Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

Not only is Julian Edelman one of New England’s leading receivers, he’s also an ace special teams player. That gives him more opportunities to impact the Super Bowl and more chances to give an MVP-like performance.

4. Marshawn Lynch

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Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

4. Marshawn Lynch

marshawn lynch
Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

Marshawn Lynch is the heart of the Seattle offense and can be downright unstoppable when he gets on roll. If he unleashes Beast Mode on Super Bowl Sunday, there will be no better option for MVP than Lynch.

3. Rob Gronkowski

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David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports

3. Rob Gronkowski

rob gronkowski
David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports

Rob Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare and Tom Brady’s favorite target in the passing game. If Seattle can’t come up with a way to contain Gronk on Super Bowl Sunday, he could smash his way to MVP of Super Bowl XLIX.

2. Russell Wilson

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Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

2. Russell Wilson

russell wilson
Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports

With his ability to run and to throw, Russell Wilson has a number of ways to make an impact on the game. He will need to play much better than he did in the NFC Championship but he’s more than capable of landing Super Bowl MVP honors.

1. Tom Brady

tom brady
Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

1. Tom Brady

tom brady
Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

Few have the Super Bowl credentials of Tom Brady and he is looking to cement his legacy with another championship title to his name. If he plays a vintage Brady-like game, it will be hard to deny him Super Bowl MVP.

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