Super Bowl XLV: 10 Reasons the Steelers Will Beat the Packers in Dallas

Tomorrow is the big day, Super Bowl XLV is just hours away now. Result: one team will be handed the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy. Who will it be?

This means that all the talk and predictions about who will excel on defense, offense, and special teams will also be over. What's left now is waiting for Sunday.

Here's just one more prediction before the game gets underway (based on hints from the headline): the Steelers are going to win the big one in Dallas.

Experience

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 22: Linebacker James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to the sidelines for a signal during NFL action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs de

The Steelers have 25 players on their roster with Super Bowl experience—most of whom played on the team during their victories in 2005 and 2008.

The Packers? Two. Ryan Pickett and Charles Woodson are the only players for the Pack who've been in the Super Bowl. Both players who didn't participate in one with the Packers.

Experience alone won't win a team a game. In this case, the Steelers have players who know what's at stake and how it feels like to be on display for the Super Bowl. They have the advantage.

Expect the Steelers (especially on defense) to be very loud and intimidating as they try to get into the head of the young and great Aaron Rodgers.

Their Group Of Fanatic Fans

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PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 04: Pittsburgh Penguin fans support the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game with terrible towels against the Buffalo Sabres at the Consol Energy Center on February 4, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/

Green Bay and Pittsburgh both had to travel over a thousand miles to reach Dallas, and their fans followed right behind them.

Both teams have a trademark fanbase as well. Green Bay is known for having "cheesehead" fans, while the Steelers fans wave their Terrible Towels around in a circular motion all night long. 

Since there is no home-field advantage for this one, both teams' fanbases will be in attendance, obviously.

When one watches the game, however, expect the whole stadium to be rocking, but they'll be witnessing more yellow towels than head ornaments. 

Troy Polamalu

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches the game against the New England Patriots from the bench during the game on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Imag

Polamalu has a nose for the football, at least during the regular season. He nabbed seven picks this season in only 14 games, but has yet to pick one off in the postseason.

He has yet to grab one in both Super Bowls he's played in. Expect the third one to be a charm.

If the Steelers properly make Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket, Troy will be waiting for the erratic throw to come his way and into his hands.

Rashard Mendenhall

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

Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk can easily stop Mendenhall's rush attack Sunday night. In a comparison of linebackers, the Packers have a slight edge because of the youth of the two players. Then again, the Steelers have the experience. 

But when Mendenhall lines up in the I, Matthews and Hawk will be keeping an eye out, preparing to shut him down.

That's why Bruce Arians should draw up plays where Roethlisberger passes the ball to Mendenhall. Screens, short throws in the flats even if they send him deep—they should look to have Mendenhall lure the linebackers into coverage and try to outrun them. 

With tight coverage corners like Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields, Roethlisberger might find that he has no options other than Mendenhall and Heath Miller.

I sense a segue...

Heath Miller

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Heath Miller #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers addresses the media during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green B

As stated before, the Packers have a mean arsenal of cornerbacks who will likely be able to shut down receivers like Mike Wallace and Hines Ward.

If the Steelers are facing a blitz or heavy pressure, Miller can be there over the top or out in the flat.

Although he didn't have one of his greatest seasons this year, expect Big Ben to be looking his way often when the Packers bring the heat.

Front Seven

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Defenders Larry Foote #50, Lawrence Timmons #94 and James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackle tailback Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (P

If Aaron Smith were able to play in this game, it would be huge for the Steelers.

The defensive front seven should be making Rodgers' night very difficult, and not just by blitzing him. They'll be lingering in the middle of the field, just waiting for a receiver to come into to the zone so they can pick off the ball.

When it comes to blitzing, they should opt for the zone blitz more than a regular full house rush. Confuse Rodgers. When it comes to facing the blitz, Rodgers has the capability to beat the rush and make the pass or run to get the first down. 

Containment of Rodgers will be key in this game.

Secondary

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up prior to the snap during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Steeler's defense should be able to make Aaron Rodgers play on his tiptoes and if that can happen then the secondary should be seeing some risky throws coming their way.

This won't be an easy day for the group, either. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are two elite receivers that will require attention at all times. Driver especially on third downs and with his great blocking abilities.

Ike Taylor will most likely be given the task of covering the receiver who is hot at the moment, and so his game will need to be near perfect. A pass defense that's statistically the better defense should be able to prove that they are, come Sunday. 

Ben Roethlisberger

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a play against the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Jets 24 to 19

Similar to Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger will be facing a rush attack by a very talented Packers defense all night. 

Both quarterbacks have their similarities and dissimilarities. Rodgers is obviously the better passer and has proven so in the playoffs. Big Ben has the track record: two Super Bowl victories.

He will be more poised in this game and feel comfortable in the pocket all night. Even when he's out of the pocket and scrambling around, he will be able to avoid the sack and in some instances, get the first down.

Passing-wise, it will be tough for him. It can't be repeated enough: the Packers have an excellent secondary. If he looks those corners away and goes for a different receiver all night, he can put together a victory for Pittsburgh. 

Mike Tomlin

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers poses for photos during a press conference at the Super Bowl XLV media center on February 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sup

With a win on Sunday, he will become the 13th NFL coach to win two Super Bowls. With a 5-1 postseason record, he can easily do it.

Tomlin has become a great successor to Bill Cowher. Many thought he wouldn't be able to repeat what Cowher did in Pittsburgh. He's about to do better.

Honestly, I don't think the Steelers have looked better since Tomlin came into town. You can see that he has what it takes to get his team's mind in the right place and to victory. His presence and support has been enough to lead the Steelers to greatness once before and now, twice in four years.

With the help of Bruce Arians and Dick LeBeau, Tomlin will be making the right calls that lead Pittsburgh to another Super Bowl win.

James Harrison

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by G

He's being secluded from the front seven group (just as Polamalu was from the secondary) because he's the best defensive player on the team.

He's proven that he can come up clutch in previous Super Bowls. Remember his 100-yard pick six against Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII? 

Harrison will be doing it all tomorrow night: blitzing, hitting, tackling, sacking and he might just get an interception again. If anyone from the defense is going to be crowned with the MVP award, it's going to be James Harrison.