Super Bowl 2011: 10 Key Matchups to Look For

Super Bowl XLV is shaping up to be a great one, with Pittsburgh already being the underdog despite being the higher-seeded team.

For starters, both defenses are the top two in points allowed; 14.5 per game for the Steelers, and 15 per game for the Packers.

So as a guy who loves an old-school, smash-mouth, defensive-type football game, I'm impatiently waiting for "The Duke" to be kicked-off.

And for as much history as there is between both of these organizations, that in and of itself should make for a stimulating experience.

Can I say, "First Super Bowl to go into overtime?!?!"

A bold prediction that can happen; Especially if these 10 matchups live up to their hype. Enjoy. 

10. Dick LeBeau Vs Dom Capers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team warm up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Ge

Arguably the best defensive mind in the history of pro football, Dick LeBeau has coached in five previous Super Bowls and won two of them.

He has been coaching on the defensive side of the ball for over 30 years and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

His counterpart, Dom Capers, has not had as much success, but that doesn't mean we should overlook him.

Capers took the expansion Carolina Panthers to the NFC Championship Game in only their second season (1996) and actually served as the Steelers defensive coordinator while Dick LeBeau was his secondary coach.

A bit of a personal matchup between these two, but the advantage goes to Pittsburgh for having Dick LeBeau.

9. B.J. Raji Vs Maurkice Pouncey

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: B.J. Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after scoring on a 18-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Ch

A one-on-one matchup that isn't being recognized because of the skill positions (but that's to be expected).

To begin, both players started all 16 regular season games at their respective positions, as well as the playoffs.

Raji may have the slight edge because of Pouncey's injury this past weekend. However, Pouncey was selected to the Pro Bowl this year.

Now, if the Packer 'D' is to be consistent, Raji needs to force a double-team with the center and guard in order to free up Clay Mathews for a one-on-one matchup with the tackle.

And for the Pittsburgh 'O,' Pouncey must be able to handle Raji on an island whether Coach Mike Tomlin calls a pass or run play.

8. James Harrison Vs Chad Clifton

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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

Everyone knows about James Harrison.

But hardly anyone outside of Green Bay is aware of Chad Clifton.

Harrison, a first-team Pro-Bowler this year and arguably the Steelers best defensive player, has three sacks and 14 tackles in two playoff games.

Clifton, the Packers sole offensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl (second-team), has his 11 veteran years to prepare for this game.

A bit more speed in this matchup as opposed to No. 10, but Harrison could potentially limit the mobility of QB Aaron Rodgers as well.

Both need to win when faced one-on-one because Green Bay is going to have to run the ball, and Pittsburgh will need to pressure Rodgers to slow down the Green Bay passing attack.

7. Rashard Mendenhall Vs James Starks

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against Brodney Pool #22 of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Currently, two of thee top three postseason rushing leaders.

The difference here is the unexpected performance that Green Bay got out of Starks, whereas Mendenhall has rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons.

For the 2010 playoffs, Mendenhall leads all rushers with three TDs, while Starks leads all rushers with 263 yards.

As for both players, neither is getting nearly as much recognition as he deserves for efforts due to being overlooked by the more "big name" players.

However, that is only added motivation.

Therefore, this Super Bowl, expect both to play with even more fire than usual.

6. Packers WRs Vs Steelers Secondary

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 21: Donald Driver #80 and Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers gets ready to move at the snap during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 21, 2006 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated

After two playoff games, the Steelers pass defense has only allowed an average of 179 yards per game.

But after being tested 63 times, they have allowed three TDs, and only managed one pick from safety Ryan Clark.

As for the Pack air-attack, the three leading WRs (Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jordy Nelson) have totaled 39 catches for 526 yards, but only one TD.

James Jones leads Green Bay with two TD receptions, but has only six catches with seven targets.

However, Super Bowl XLV will be a tougher test than those of Super Bowl XL (Seattle) or Super Bowl XLIII (Arizona) for Pittsburgh.

Not only because of Green Bay's fifth-ranked passing offense, but because the Steelers pass 'D' this year was not as consistent as previous Super Bowl seasons.

5. Charles Woodson Vs Mike Wallace

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 13: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers breaks up a pass intended for Devin Aromashodu #19 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 13, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Arguably the NFL's best CB vs the NFL's fastest man.

Wallace only has four catches for 26 yards this postseason, but expect Pittsburgh to keep sending him deep.

He has had big-play potential all season, exemplified by his average of 21 yards per catch.

And get this; He only caught 60 passes, but still amassed over 1,200 yards.

As for Woodson, he was third on the team in tackles (92), and second on the Packers in pass break-ups (13).

Not to mention, this year he was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl and made second-team All-Pro as well.

Expect Woodson to jam Wallace from the line of scrimmage, because it will slow him down and give Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins time to help over the top.

4. Mike Tomlin Vs Mike McCarthy

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 15: Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on November 15, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bengals defeated the Steelers 18-12. (Photo by Rick

Much like their RBs that I mentioned earlier, these coaches have just as much to prove.

Regardless of whether you're a Steelers fan or not, most criticism toward Mike Tomlin has been that fact that he has succeeded with Bill Cowher's team.

As for McCarthy, NFL fans and critics first looked at him and GM Ted Thompson as the villain after Brett Favre's departure.

Well, I think its safe to say that both have found their own way to succeed while blocking out the skeptics.

Most fair-weather fans don't know that Tomlin was an assistant under Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay during their Super Bowl XXXVII win over the Oakland Raiders.

Then turn to Mike McCarthy, who took over as the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator in 2000.

That season, the Saints won their first ever playoff game and second division championship.

Two great coaches in one great game. History in the making, my friends. 

3. Aaron Rodgers Vs Ben Roethlisberger

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers walks on the field in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pen

You had to see this coming.

With the exception of Eagles QB Mike Vick, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roehlisberger are arguably two of thee most versatile QBs in the NFL right now.

Rodgers finished third in the NFL in passer rating (101.2) but leads the category for the postseason (109.2).

As for Roethlisberger, fifth in the regular season (97), but a dismal tenth for the postseason (75.5).

The difference here is you know you're going to get consistency with Rodgers, but Roethlisberger gets the job done when it matters most.

Two examples:

1. The 3rd-and-19 converted vs Baltimore in the fourth quarter.

2. The 3rd-and-6 converted vs New York to seal the 'W' last week.

I'm going to predict a better game for Rodgers, but don't be surprised if Roethlisberger plays well also. 

2. Clay Mathews Vs Troy Polamalu

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a defensive stop against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

I know earlier I said you could argue James Harrison as the Steelers best defensive player.

However, I personally feel that Troy Polamalu has the edge because of his versatility and presence.

As for Clay Mathews, he's definitely Green Bay's best defensive player, and deservedly so, after being named 2010 first-team All-Pro.

Polamalu finished the season with seven picks and 63 tackles. Not to mention he didn't play a full season and was still a first-team All-Pro selection.

Mathews finished fourth in the NFL with 13.5 sacks and 54 tackles.

We know Troy will come to play since he has "been there and done that" twice before.

Clay comes from a football bloodline and has dominated the playoffs thus far.

The two best defensive players on the NFL's biggest stage. Bring the pain!

1. Steelers' D Vs Packers' D

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: LaMarr Woodley #56 and Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after sacking Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylva

I know the previous slide was individual defense, but this slide pertains to both units as a whole.

Like I said in the introductory slide, both teams rank No. 1 and No. 2 in points allowed per game for the regular season.

Heading into Super Bowl XLV, Green Bay has allowed an average of 17 points per game in their three playoff games, while Pittsburgh has allowed an average of 21.5 points per game in their two playoff games.

As for the regular season, Green Bay finished fifth in total yards allowed per game (309.1), while Pittsburgh finished second, allowing 276.8 per game.

Then to enhance them even more: Between both defenses this year, a total of five All-Pro players and seven Pro Bowlers.

And I know it's a cliche, BUT, "Defense wins championships."