Super Bowl XLV is here! The Green Bay Packers will be facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in a good, old-fashioned, blue-collar battle. The Packers are the early 2 ½ point favorites, but the Steelers have all the Super Bowl experience.
Let’s just get this out of the way; the Super Bowl needs to become an official American holiday. From the numerous amounts of party foods complemented by fermented beverages, to the hilarious commercials that we talk about for days beyond, it is truly one of the best days of the year.
Another great aspect of the Super Bowl is finding a little action. Whether, it’s a friendly $20 with the office idiot, buying the squares at a Super Bowl party, or throwing down the rent money and Betting on the Super Bowl at BetUS, everyone wants a little taste of the action.
I will tell you who I have my money on and give you the key match-ups for both sides, but first let’s look at the most interesting story involved in Super Bowl XLV.
During this past off-season Ben Roethlisberger was the biggest story in the NFL. After being accused of sexual assault for the second time, Roethlisberger was facing a suspension and rumors were flying about the Rooney family wanting to trade him.
NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, gave Roethlisberger a six-game suspension, which was later reduced to four games for good behavior – apparently, avoiding additional sexual assault charges was enough to get two games knocked off the sentence.
Five months later, Roethlisberger claims to be a changed man, and is preparing for his third Super Bowl appearance. His first two appearances were victorious in 2005 and 2008.
Big Ben is the most interesting player for many reasons. If he loses, people will say its karma. If he wins, people will consider him a changed man, and his story will be one of redemption.
Another thing that makes Big Ben interesting in this match-up with the Packers is that he doesn’t even have to play great to win, as evident in the game against the Baltimore Ravens. Big Ben is fortunate to have the No. 2 defense and a solid running game with Rashard Mendenhall. It’s also tough to account for the speedy WR Mike Wallace, and the always reliable Hines Ward.
Big Ben’s counterpart Aaron Rodgers cannot afford to have a bad Super Bowl. Rodgers is what keeps the offense moving. His selective wide receiver distribution and his ability to scramble for first downs motors the offense. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson are all capable of having huge games.
This is where match-ups like Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and Lamar Woodley will come into play during Super Bowl Sunday. If the Steelers defense can contain Rodgers to the pocket they have a better chance of limiting his success.
People seem to be forgetting the Packers defense like they are the other Hilton sister — just because she didn’t make a sex tape, doesn’t mean she’s not hot. Green Bay features their own set of playmakers, staring Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, BJ Raji, and Tramon Williams.
The Packers defense has to be able to get to Big Ben and take him down or force him to turn the ball over. In order for the Packers to be victorious in Super Bowl XLV the defense may need to put points on the board.
Both teams have unsung heroes on offense that will need to make big plays. For the Steelers that player is TE, Heath Miller, and for the Packers it’s RB, James Starks.
Miller will be key for third-down conversions and red zone targets. Starks on the other hand, will have his hands full trying to gain yards against the Steelers defense – 100-yards and a touchdown could land him the MVP.
The coaching edge has to go to Steelers lead-man, Mike Tomlin. Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy has been receiving praise for his play-calling ability, but Tomlin is the kind of guy that inspires people in wheelchairs to get up and walk.
In the last regular-season match-up between the Packers and Steelers, it was a thrilling finish — 37 – 36 Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger and Rodgers were dueling back-and-forth the entire game. Quite honestly, it was the most entertaining regular-season game I’ve ever witnessed.
The difference in that game and what I believe will be the difference in the Super Bowl was WR Santonio Holmes. Holmes was traded to the Jets during the previous season. He made big plays in the last game against the Packers and an even bigger catch in the Steelers last Super Bowl victory.
I see this Super Bowl to be a high-scoring affair; both teams have top five defenses, but both quarterbacks are in the top five in the NFL. As I mentioned, I like the Packers defense to put some points on the board for Green Bay. After the Steelers stifle the running game, McCarthy will open up the playbook for Rodgers to put on a show.
I see the final score with the Packers covering the spread, Green Bay 27 – Pittsburgh 23. I like Rodgers to be named Super Bowl MVP if the Packers are triumphant. One thing I know for certain, I will be wishing away commercials for the first time, as I’m salivating for more action from Super Bowl XLV.