Super Bowl 2011: 10 Things That Are Sure To Happen During The Game
Unless you are a fan of either the Packers or the Steelers, this year's Super Bowl is very difficult to predict.
Both teams have dynamic players, star quarterbacks, stingy defenses and excellent coaches. Come Feb. 6, something must give, but it's hard to tell what will give first and why.
Over the course of the next two weeks, you will hear countless analysts make a wide array of predictions, and many people will likely waver back and forth before finally deciding who they think will win the Super Bowl, and perhaps more importantly, who they want to win the Super Bowl.
As of this moment, I am one of those people who has yet to decide what team I think will win the game. There is still a lot of information and stats to dissect before I can feel comfortable making my selection.
In the meantime, I have compiled a list of 10 things that, even this early, I know will happen during Super Bowl XLV.
Check it out, and see if you agree with me.
10. Ben Roethlisberger Will Throw an Interception
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In 12 career postseason games, Roethlisberger has thrown 14 interceptions, including three in the past two Super Bowl's he has played in, first in 2005 and then in 2008.
Big Ben does a lot of things well. He is one of the best at extending the play, giving his receivers more time to get open down the field. When teams are finally able to get their hands on him, he is almost impossible to bring down. He can scramble for any necessary yardage, and is very effective in the open field for someone his size.
As if his size and running ability weren't enough, he also possesses one of the best arms in the league.
However, sometimes his decision making is questionable. Roethlisberger likes to pick his spots when it comes to going down the field. But when he decides he wants to throw it deep, often times he will throw it up no matter what the coverage is.
That kind of risk taking will lead to trouble against the Packers, who have a very fast and talented secondary.
9. James Starks Will Have Nowhere To Run
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Yes, James Starks will be one of the feel-good stories of the Super Bowl.
After missing his senior season at Buffalo due to injury, he was drafted in the sixth round this past April and put on the practice squad. After being promoted late in the season, Starks has really taken off this postseason. The rookie has rushed for 263 yards in the Packers three playoff victories, including a 123 yard performance against the Eagles in Wild Card weekend.
When Green Bay had nowhere else to turn to in terms of their running game, they turned to Starks, and he hasn't disappointed.
But still, Starks will have nowhere to run against the Steelers.
The Steelers had the No. 1 ranked rush defense this season, and only allowed two teams to rush for over 100 yards against them. Those two teams were the Jets and the Patriots, both of which have a better offensive line than the Packers.
Starks will come nowhere close to 100 yards rushing against the Steelers. It will be closer to 50-60 yards, and that's if the Packers don't abandon the run early in the game.
8. Hines Ward Will Score A Touchdown
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With the emergence of Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders, it is easy to forget about Hines Ward.
Don't write off the veteran just yet, though.
Like Big Ben, Ward is no stranger to the postseason. In his two Super Bowl appearances, he's recorded seven catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, and is still Roethlisberger's favorite target in the red zone.
Additionally, when these two teams faced off last season, Ward had seven catches for 126 yards.
Tramon Williams and Sam Shields are talented corners, but they are still young. Look for the veteran Ward to have a big game, including a trip to the end zone.
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7. Clay Matthews Will Have At Least 2 Sacks
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Matthews has recorded 4.5 sacks already this postseason, and that total is sure to rise once he takes the field in the Super Bowl.
The Packers use Matthews in a variety of different ways. He can blitz off the edge, or force his way up the middle. He has a rare combination of size and speed, and what makes him even more dangerous is his endless motor. The man never gives up on a play.
Combine all of that with the fact that the Steelers offensive line is banged up, and it all adds up to Matthews having a field day. The Steelers have been playing without starters Willie Colon and Max Starks for most of the season, and now rookie center Maurkice Pouncey is dealing with a sprained ankle.
Matthews will be in the Steelers backfield for much of the game. Three sacks doesn't even seem unreasonable.
6. Aaron Rodgers Will Throw For Over 300 Yards
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Rodgers had been on fire coming in to the playoffs, and continued his great play in the first two rounds of the playoffs. However, he cooled off considerably last week against the Bears in the NFC Championship game, but much of that could be attributed to the poor field conditions and ice cold temperatures.
Playing indoors, Rodgers will get back on track.
Rodgers has four quality receivers at his disposal, including favorite target Greg Jennings. He will also enter this game with an extreme amount of confidence after he threw for 383 yards against the Steelers last season.
If there is any doubt left, remember that the Packers will likely have no success on the ground, so Rodgers will be throwing early and often.
Look out.
5. Shaun Suisham Will Miss A Field Goal
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After joining the Steelers mid-season, Suisham had an excellent finish to the regular season. He connected on 14-15 field goals, making fans forget about the inconsistent Jeff Reed.
However, Suisham hasn't had the same type of luck in the postseason.
Suisham has missed four of his nine field goal attempts in his postseason career, including one against the Ravens two weeks ago. Should the game come down to a field goal, Steelers fans will have reason to be nervous.
4. Troy Polamalu Won't Be A Factor
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Crazy talk, right?
Well not so fast.
Polamalu has established himself as one of the top, if not the best, safeties in the league. He seemingly always comes up with a big play, changing the outcome of the game. There is no denying the impact Polamalu has on a football game.
But watching the Steelers the last two weeks, Polamalu just doesn't look right.
He has been battling an Achilles injury as well as an ankle injury, which seems to have slowed him down.
Polamalu hasn't recorded an interception or a sack yet this postseason, and only managed two tackles against the Jets last week. You barely knew he was on the field.
He has two weeks to rest up, but I'm not sure if that will be enough time. The Steelers will likely have to play with their best defensive player far from 100 percent.
3. Steelers Will Take An Early Lead
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While these two teams are very similar, one thing that makes them different is experience.
The Packers are new to the big stage. John Kuhn is the only player on their roster with a Super Bowl ring for crying out loud.
The Steelers, however, are loaded with experience. This is the team's third Super Bowl appearance in the last six years.
Because of this, I think the Steelers will be able to strike first, no matter who receives the ball first.
The Packers will likely be fighting nerves and everything else that comes with playing on the sport's biggest stage, and it will be interesting to see how they handle it. It will probably take a few drives for them to settle in.
Pittsburgh got off to a fast start last week against the Jets, and I would expect more of the same in this game.
2. James Jones Will Drop A Big Pass
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This one is rather simple: James Jones has had trouble catching the ball this season.
That isn't exactly the best attribute for a wide receiver to have, either.
Jones almost cost his team against the Eagles earlier this postseason, when he dropped what would have been an easy touchdown. The Packers can't afford to have that happen again.
Unfortunately for them, given Jones' recent performances, it will likely happen again.
1. The Game Will Be Close At The Start Of The 4th Quarter
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As I mentioned before, I think the Steelers will come out strong at the start, given their big game experience.
Once the Packers settle down, though, I think they will whether the storm and respond with some big plays of their own.
That means the game will be close going into the fourth quarter, setting up a classic finish.
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