Super Bowl 2011: 10 Reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers Will Defeat Green Bay

Finally, the matchup for Super Bowl XLV has been determined.  Two of the NFL's most storied franchises will meet Feb 6th, with The Steelers advancing to their third Super Bowl in the last six years, and the Packers making to their first Super Bowl since the Favre era.

Both teams are very similar—built on defense with great young QB's to boot.  

It was a crazy postseason, but here are ten reasons why I think Steeler nation will add another ring to their growing collection.

Reason No. 1: The Injury Status of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers dives into the corner of the endzone for a one-yard touchdown run against Danieal Manning #38 of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Soldi

Coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday quarterback Aaron Rodgers shoulder is hurting after a hit he took on his first quarter touchdown run.  Coach McCarthy said he is not overly concerned about the injury, but I have my doubts. 

After driving down the field on their first possession for a touchdown, the Packers offense could only muster one more touchdown the rest of the game, with Rodgers throwing two picks.  This injury could be a big concern for Packers fans come Super Bowl Sunday.  

Reason No. 2: The Experience of the Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is introduced prior to their 2011 AFC Championship game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Imag

The Steelers have been here before, while the Packers only have one player on their roster with a ring. Fullback John Kuhn won five years ago while a member of the Steelers (he was on their practice squad). 

I don’t think the Packers will get jitters or come out flat in this game, but Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers have done this before.

If the game is close in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger has the experience to take his team down the field for the winning score.

Reason No. 3: The Speed of Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball in front of Dhani Jones #57 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Get

He will be the fastest player on the field come Sunday and I see one long touchdown in this game from Wallace. 

At the very least, he will force the Packers safeties to play back, opening room for running back Rashard Mendenhall. 

Reason No. 4: The Linebacking Core of the Pittsburgh Steelers

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches from the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh probably has the best linebackers in the league.  Running a 3-4 defense, the Steelers are great at creating confusing looks for opposing QB's by blitzing their linebackers.  The Steelers linebackers are also adept in coverage as well.  

This is not good news for QB Aaron Rodgers, who threw two pick last week, both to Bears linebackers.

And the last time Pittsburgh was in the Super Bowl, linebacker James Harrison made history with the longest interception return in Super Bowl history. 

Reason No. 5: Green Bay's List of Players on the IR

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Atari Bigby #20 of the Green Bay Packers runs out on the field to take on the Chicago Bears during the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Green Bay has been playing without some key men all season.  Running back Ryan Grant went down Week One, and later in the season, Green Bay lost tight end Jermichael Finley and middle linebacker Nick Barnett. 

All three are Pro-Bowl caliber players, and although the Packers have reached the SuperBowl without them, Pittsburgh is the healthier team.

I see the Steelers focusing on the Packers WR's, because Packers TE's Andrew Quarless and Donald Lee have not stepped up in Finley's absence.   

Reason No. 6: The Pittsburgh Steelers Run Defense

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Running back James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh had the best run defense during the regular season, and it has continued into the postseason—last week against the Jets, the Steelers held them to one (yes one!) rushing yard in the first half.  

Pittsburgh has stopped many talented runners this season, so I don't expect many lanes for James Starks, the rookie out of Buffalo.  It's so important come playoff time to be able to run the ball, and the last thing Green Bay can afford to do is become an one-dimensional offense.  

Taking away the ground game will also limit the amount of play action passes Green Bay can call, putting a giant dent in their game plan. 

Reason No. 7: QB Ben Roethlisberger's Ability To Escape The Pass Rush

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes for a first down against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Ge

Big Ben earned his nickname for a reason—at 6'5" and 240 pounds, he is one of the hardest QB's to tackle.  He is known for scrambling and making big plays down the field.  

Whether it's avoiding a blitzing linebacker or corner, Ben always seems to find a way to pick up that key first down or find a WR deep downfield.  I see him breaking a few tackles, and Pittsburgh calling some designed roll outs to take advantage of their QB's superior size and strength.  

Reason No. 8: Pittsburgh Will Embrace the Underdog Role

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a play against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Im

The entire season, no one really payed attention to Pittsburgh.  Although they were the AFC's No. 2 seed, they were always overlooked by the Patriots.  Even in their own state, they were not the most talked about team—that would be the Eagles, led by QB and MVP candidate Michael Vick. 

However, none of this has seemed to bother the Steelers.  With Roethlisberger suspended the first four games, no one really gave this team a chance to win the division, but that's exactly what they did.  

Underdogs again in the Super Bowl, I see this further motivating the Steelers in their quest for a record seventh Super Bowl ring.

Reason No. 9: The Declining Production of Packers WR Donald Driver

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 02: Receiver Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers in action during player warm-ups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 2, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squ

Donald Driver has been a great NFL player, but not this season.  He missed some time with an injury and just has not been productive since returning to the lineup. 

Driver had just one catch for nine yards last Sunday at Chicago, and has not scored a touchdown since Week 13 against the 49ers (and let's face it, everyone scored against the Niners this year).  Driver needs to have a big game or I see the Steelers doubling WR Greg Jennings, who is Rodgers favorite target.

Reason No. 10: Remember the Last Time the Steelers and Packers Met?

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

It was a great game. Roethlisberger threw for over 500 yards and needing every one of them, as a last second touchdown to Mike Wallace gave the Steelers a 37-36 victory. 

Now that was a different season and these are two different teams.  

But clearly, Roethlisberger gives the Packers D problems, and now Pittsburgh has a healthy Troy Polamalu (he was hurt for that last meeting). 

I don't expect a shootout in Super Bowl XLI, and the Packers are a great team.

I would not be surprised if they won.  

But my prediction-—Steelers 24, Packers 20