Super Bowl 2011 Preview: Do Packers Or Steelers Have the Edge at Running Back?

On Feb. 6, 2011 Super Bowl XLV will take place in Dallas, TX. at Cowboy's Stadium between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

There are many factors to the equation for winning the Super Bowl. One important part of that equation is the ability and depth of a team's running game. 

Between the Packers and the Steelers, who has the edge at running back? Let's find out. 

Packers: Brandon Jackson

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs down field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Brandon Jackson rushed for 703 yards in the 2010 regular season. Jackson also had 342 receiving yards. He's had four total touchdowns this season and only one fumble. 

Over the past two seasons he has played 25 games as a third-down back. Jackson is one of the most reliable pass protectors in the backfield. He's an important asset to the passing game. Jackson is either protecting Aaron Rodgers from a blitz or moving to become a check-down receiver. 

Jackson is a hard worker. He always makes the most of his opportunities.

Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo b

Rashard Mendenhall has had 1,273 yards rushing during the 2010 regular season and an additional 167 yards in the post season. Mendenhall's receiving yards for the regular season are also 167 with an additional 47 for the post season. He's scored 16 touchdowns so far; 13 in the regular season and three in postseason play. 

Mendenhall is a force to be reckoned with. 

Packers: John Kuhn

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21. (Photo by Chris Gray

John Kuhn has provided the Packers with six touchdowns so far in the 2010 season. He has rushed for 281 yards and had 97 yards receiving so far this season. Kuhn is the only player on the team to have back-to-back seasons with a rushing and receiving touchdown.

Kuhn has become a fan favorite. He always knows his responsibilities. When he enters the game everyone knows that Kuhn is getting the ball, but he still manages to produce results. He doesn't let his team down. 

Steelers: Mewelde Moore

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs by Charles Godfrey #30 of the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Mewelde Moore has had 108 rushing yards combined for the 2010 season and postseason. Along with that yardage, Moore has 214 total receiving yards as well. He hasn't contributed any touchdowns to the Steelers this season, but he never fumbled the ball either. 

Moore is one of the most reliable all-around players for the Steelers. 

Packers: James Starks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Running back James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after his four-yard second quarter touchdown run against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (P

James Starks was recruited as a quarterback in college, but was then converted to a cornerback and then a running back. He was the first player from his school to be drafted to the NFL. 

Starks was injured for the first 11 games of the season. Before training camp he had a hamstring injury that prevented him from playing. He had 101 yards in the regular season and 15 receiving yards. 

But now he's in the game. Starks holds the Packers rookie record for rushing yards. He had 23 carries for 123 yards in the wild card playoff game against the Eagles.

His presence is a new, but important one for the Packers. 

Steelers: Isaac Redman

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Running back Isaac Redman #33 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Geoff Burke/

Isaac Redman, rookie running back for the Steelers, has 278 total rushing yards and 72 receiving yards. Redman has scored two receiving touchdowns, as well. 

Redman was signed to the Steelers practice squad in 2009, and has since moved up. He's proved himself to be a beneficial player to the team. 

Packers: Dimitri Nance

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 12: Dimitri Nance #23, Andrew Quarless #81, Quinn Johnson #45 and Pat Lee #22 of the Green Bay Packers sit on the bench after their 7-3 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 12, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon H

Dimitri Nance is also a rookie for the Packers this season. During the regular season he had 30 receiving yards and 95 yards rushing. He hasn't provided any touchdowns for the team. 

As number 23 of the Packers, Nance is still new to the team. He will hopefully develop into a more prominent player. 

And the Winner Is: the Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Pittsburgh Steelers fans celebrate during their 24 to 19 win over the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Both the Packers and the Steelers have talented running backs. 

The Packers seem to have more all-around players than the Steelers, but the Steelers do have Mendenhall. Mendenhall is a powerhouse. Overall, the Packers running backs are very talented.

The team that has the edge at running back is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mendenhall is an excellent running back and the depth behind him in the charts is more than sufficient.