Super Bowl Predictions 2011: Breakdown of Possible Super Bowl XLV Matchups

With the NFC and AFC Championship Games looming on Sunday the 23rd, the NFL is down to the final four.

The fact that Green Bay, Chicago and Pittsburgh have made it this far is not all that surprising; however, few people expected to see the Jets take out the Colts and the Patriots in back-to-back road contests.

The mantra that defense wins championships may have never been truer than this year, as each remaining team has a realistic Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

More on that in a bit, but the point is that regardless of who squares off in the big dance in a few weeks, it would be unrealistic to expect a high-scoring Super Bowl given the caliber of the defenses that remain.

Let's take a look at how the potential Super Bowl XLV matchups could pan out.

Scenario No. 1: Green Pay Packers Vs. New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Jerricho Cotchery #89 of the New York Jets looks for room to run against C.J. Wilson #98 of the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated th

This would be a rematch of Week 8 from the regular season, where the Packers won 9-0.

Aaron Rodgers, one of the most reliable players at his position this year, really underwhelmed in this game. Rodgers was just 15-of-34 for 170 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Meanwhile, Jets QB Mark Sanchez was even worse, going 16-of-38 for 256 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Sanchez has shown progress since his rookie campaign last year, sometimes showing the ability to exploit weak defenses. Furthermore, he has at least proven to be an effective game manager at times.

However, his accuracy remains quite poor, he has a propensity to turn the ball over and it remains a coin toss on which version of the USC product shows up in high-pressure situations.

Of course, the Jets never planned to make a Super Bowl run based on immaculate QB play. A stout defense and consistent running game has been their forte and is the main reason that the Jets are in the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row.

Getting the run going against the Packers would be no easy feat, as LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene combined for just 76 rush yards against the Pack in Week 8.

Therefore, it is quite possible that the Jets will need to effectively throw the ball in order to come out on top in this one.

Again, this is easier said than done, as cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson have been nearly unbeatable this season, while outside linebacker Clay Matthews is a front runner for Defensive Player of the Year.

Few pass rushers in the league present as tough of a challenge as Matthews does, so Sanchez needs to hope that his big offensive line gives him plenty of time in passing situations.

On the other hand, do not expect Rodgers to lay another egg if this rematch comes to fruition, as he is indisputably the hottest quarterback in the league since returning from a late-season concussion.

As well as the Jets secondary has been playing, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Donald Driver and even Jordy Nelson have all made big plays in recent weeks and pose a tremendous threat for any defense.

Bold Prediction: Packers 17, Jets 6

Scenario 2: Chicago Bears Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 20: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass over Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears on September 20, 2009 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Steelers 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

The Bears have easily been of the toughest teams to predict this year: One week the offensive line can’t block anyone and QB Jay Cutler is a turnover machine, the next Cutler doesn’t go down once and throws for 350 yards and three touchdowns.

Cutler showed his versatility against the Seahawks in the Bears' divisional playoff game, throwing for 274 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a couple scores and 43 yards along the way.

Of course, the Steelers and the Seahawks are two completely different teams this season, and it is no secret that the Bears do not match up well in this potential showdown for all the marbles.

Pittsburgh’s defense has been reminiscent of its “Steel Curtain” days more often that not this season. In the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs, the Steelers managed five sacks against a Ravens offensive line that has been pretty reliable all season.

While the Bears have boasted a pretty respectable defense of their own this year, the Steelers have a well-rounded offense that has showcased the ability to both run and throw the football at will.

Defensive end Julius Peppers, and really the entire Bears defensive front line, will probably do a good job of getting pressure on Ben Roethlisberger throughout the evening. 

However, keep in mind that the Ravens sacked Roethlisberger six times, yet he still threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

Therefore, the real pressure will be on the Bears secondary to limit guys like Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders from making big plays down the field.

Expect the Steelers to win comfortably if this hypothetical situation becomes a reality, as this team is just so well versed and is no stranger to Super Bowl appearances in recent years.

Bold Prediction: Steelers 28, Bears 10

Scenario 3: New York Jets Vs. Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver as David Harris #52 of the New York Jets rushes at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

This is another potential matchup that would be a regular season rematch. In Week 16, the Bears won an unexpected shootout 38-34.

While Cutler was not particularly accurate on this occasion, going 13-of-25, he torched the Jets on big plays, scoring three touchdowns through the air and completing three passes over 20 yards.

He also crossed the chalk once, as scrambled into the end zone in a short yardage situation.

Mark Sanchez was uncharacteristically cool, calm, and calculated in this one, going 24-of-37 for 269 yards and a touchdown.

However, he was unable to orchestrate the game-winning drive, as he tossed an interception late in the fourth quarter, solidifying the Bears win.

The difference maker in this game, though, was actually Bears running back Matt Forte. Forte was fantastic in this one, rushing for 113 yards and a score and also making four catches for 56 yards.

This was quite an anomaly for the Jets, as they had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in just over a year.

This is why it is not very logical to expect Forte to have a repeat performance. Additionally, the Jets defense is playing some of its best football here late in the season, so do not expect the Bears to rack up 38 points again.

While the Bears far exceeded expectations this season, they will come up short if they encounter Gang Green for the second time in just over a month.

Bold Prediction: Jets 17, Bears 14

Scenario 4: Green Bay Packers Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers runs past William Gay #22 and Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty I

This is probably the matchup neutral fans want to see the most, as it pits one of the league’s hottest quarterbacks and most explosive offenses against the league's most efficient defense.

The biggest question mark here is whether or not the Packers will be able to get the run going. In the Packers' two playoff games thus far, running back James Starks has totaled a respectable 189 rushing yards on 3.9 yards per carry.

However, being a rookie who missed the majority of the regular season, he is no sure thing to continue this success against the NFL’s stingiest run defense.

The performance of short yardage specialist John Kuhn will also be key in this one. Whether or not the Packers can score touchdowns rather than kick field goals in the red zone will likely be the deciding factor in this game.

Whether or not the Packers defense can force turnovers will also be a big deal in this one, as Big Ben is all but guaranteed to throw for 200 yards and score a couple touchdowns at this point.

Will this be the time where Aaron Rodgers joins the elite class of NFL quarterbacks? Or will it be Ben Roethlisberger establishing himself as a top three quarterback of this era?

Expect Rodgers and the Pack to edge out a close one here, as Rodgers truly appears to be a man on a mission in recent weeks.

Bold Prediction: Packers 28, Steelers 24