Why the Baltimore Ravens Will Defeat the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLIV

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Sunday February 7 is a long way away, but suggesting the Ravens and Packers will meet at Dolphin Stadium on this day isn't that much of a stretch.

There are about four or five power teams in the AFC, but the NFC is a little harder to figure out. The NFC may not be as strong at the top of the conference, but they are much more deep. The AFC has the struggling teams like the Chiefs, Raiders, Broncos, Jaguars and Browns. The NFC has the Rams, Lions, and Buccs.

To pick from the rest of the NFC is like picking a needle in a stack of needles. There are many teams that are all about equal, unlike the Pats, Colts, Steelers, and Ravens in the AFC.

To look at this potential Super Bowl match up, let's explore the skill position match ups.

In the battle of the quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers wins this rather easily. While Flacco was a hit last year, he rarely threw for big yards, just short slants and screen passes, often dumping it off to the running back. Rodgers has proven that he is more than capable of leading the Packers to where they want to go.

In the battle of the running backs, the Ravens get the slight edge. With Willis McGahee (if healthy) and emerging back Ray Rice, the Ravens have always been able to establish a pretty good ground attack. The Packers have Ryan Grant, who has shown great flashes, but there really isn't much help behind him.

In the wide receiver category, it could be considered a draw. Both teams have proven big play receivers, but the Packers have the younger core group. Greg Jennings is a very underrated player, but one of the best in the game today. Speaking of underrated, that is the middle name of Derrick Mason. Mason's entire career has been virtually overlooked as he has been consistently great for the Ravens every year.

In the Defensive matchups, look for the Ravens to blow the Packers out of the water here, right? Not exactly. The Packers have a pretty good defense, and a secondary that can contend with anyone else in the league. While the secondary may be older, the linebackers have established themselves as one of the best young linebackers in the NFL.

The Ravens defense is still the Ravens defense, and they will get the edge in this category as well. There is no greater ball hawk in the NFL than Ed Reed, and he showed that late in the season last year. Ray Lewis may not be the Ray Lewis we all remember, but he is still a thunderous bolt of talent. The corners for Baltimore have grown up, and the speed should keep them from giving up big plays.

In the special teams category, the Ravens have a big edge. While Mason Crosby is one of the best kickers in the game, the return game and kick-blocking ability of the Ravens wins out.

If Ray Rice can emerge as a solid dual threat to a healthy Willis McGahee, the Ravens should be able to win this game. The big key will be the play of Joe Flacco. If he can become more than just a managing quarterback, the Ravens will lock up the Super Bowl.

Of course this extremely gut-feeling prediction is sure to go wrong, and with all the injuries and surprises the NFL has to offer, neither of these teams will probably make the playoffs. Although if the Super Bowl does come down to these two teams, I can go back to this article and gloat more than T.O. after catching a touchdown.

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