Super Bowl 2011: Five Reasons Why the Green Bay Packers Will Top the NFL

Now that both NFL Conference Championship games have been played out in the bitter cold of Pittsburgh and Chicago, Super Bowl XLV has its two participants.

The Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The two squads boast nine Super Bowl Championships in just 11 tries. Other than the San Francisco 49ers—who are a perfect five-for-five in the big game—no one with at least four appearances in the Super Bowl has a better winning percentage than these two teams.

Both conference championships were decided by seven points or less for the first time since 2001. With this in mind, there is no clear favorite to hoist the trophy on Feb. 6.

Here are five reasons why Packers fans will be the ones celebrating in the offseason.

No. 5: Similarity of Playoff Opponents

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Running back Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears in the second half in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo b

The Packers don't expect to run the ball. Although rookie James Starks leads the NFL in rushing during the playoffs, he only has one touchdown.

The Bears ability to stop the run is similar to that of the Steelers. Maybe Pittsburgh does a little better job against the run, but both teams force the opponent to throw the ball by consistently stopping runs for little to no yardage. One problem with that.

Aaron Rodgers.

The Green Bay quarterback can shred defenses with his accuracy and ability to move around in the pocket to create throwing lanes.

The Packers have seen the hard hitting defense they will face in the Super Bowl, but the Steelers have yet to matchup with a dynamic offense in the playoffs. Neither the New York Jets or the Baltimore Ravens move the ball as well as the Packers and that will show come February.

No. 4: Quarterbacks Faced in the Playoffs

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Tro

Michael Vick, Matt Ryan, and Jay Cutler. That's who took snaps against the Packers in the playoffs.

Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez. These are the quarterbacks the Steelers had to slow down to get a spot in Super Bowl XLV.

Call me crazy, but the Steelers had it easier. Vick was perhaps the most dynamic player from the position all season. Ryan was unbeatable at home. Cutler was coming off a big game in bitter cold Chicago against Seattle.

Flacco has yet to prove himself in my mind, choosing not to utilize his big name receivers. Sanchez is still filled with potential, but has tons of room to improve.

Mike McCarthy had more practice at preparing for standout quarterbacks this offseason than Mike Tomlin.

No. 3: Keep Rolling

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: (L-R) Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 and Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears with the George Halas Trophy after the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on Janua

Green Bay entered the postseason as a No. 6 seed. In consecutive games, they have beaten the top three seeds in the NFC. Pittsburgh has beaten the two wild card teams in the AFC.

Yes, you can't blame the Steelers for putting themselves in a better position come playoff time, but you also can't deny the Packers ability to defy the odds.

The fact that a team that needed a win in Week 17 to make the playoffs is potentially a favorite in the Super Bowl is amazing. The Packers have already proved their ability to pull an upset, let's see if the Steelers can prove their seed on Super Bowl Sunday.

No. 2: Turnover Defense

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts the pass intended for Riley Cooper #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles late in the fourth quarter during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on J

Thus far this postseason, the Green Bay Packers have grabbed six interceptions. The Steelers have only had one against inferior quarterbacks.

The Packers have returned two of those picks for touchdowns, while the Steelers have one defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery because Mark Sanchez failed to see a blitz.

I know that the Packers have played one more game than the Steelers, and I'm not denying Pittsburgh's ability to play defense.

In last year's Super Bowl, it was the Saints' ability to make big plays on defense that made them champions. With Tramon Williams, Charles Woodson, and Sam Shields playing lights out in the secondary for Green Bay, I foresee at least one of them making a big play.

I can't overlook Troy Polamalu's big play ability, but the Packers' secondary seems to have glue on their hands, and if they keep it up, they'll be sticking to the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

No. 1: Quarterback Comparison

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensin

Aaron Rodgers is the second straight Green Bay quarterback to lead the Packers to the Super Bowl. His 790 passing yards and eight touchdowns (six passing, two rushing) lead all playoff quarterbacks.

Again, I know that Roethlisberger has had one less outing, but he has as many interceptions as Rodgers—with two—in one less game. I know that Roethlisberger is two-for-two in the Super Bowl and this is Rodgers' first try, but I think the Packers' leader is up for the occasion.

He has 15 plays of over 20 yards and a quarterback rating of over 100. Big Ben has four big plays and a QB rating of 75.5.

Advantage Rodgers.

When both players leave the field after the Super Bowl, they will likely have lower quarterback ratings, but it is Rodgers that will have the higher morale.

Prediction: Green Bay Packers 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 24