Super Bowl 2011: 10 Reasons Why the Green Bay Packers Will Beat the Steelers

America got the Super Bowl matchup it wanted.

Heading into the conference championships, the best Super Bowl matchup was the Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that’s exactly what happened.

The early line has the Packers as a 2.5-point favorite, the closest opening line since 2000.

The 2011 Super Bowl will no doubt be a close game, but Vegas has it correct. The early edge has to be given to the Green Bay Packers.

Here are 10 reasons why the Packers will win the Super Bowl.

10. James Starks

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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)

With Ryan Grant out, James Starks has solidified the Packers backfield just in time for the playoffs.

As opposing defenses have tried to slow down Aaron Rodgers, Starks has put up good numbers throughout the playoffs, giving the Packers another weapon on offense.

The Steelers, like the Bears, Falcons and Eagles before them, will be mainly focused on the Green Bay passing attack. This will allow for Starks to sneak up on yet another opponent and give the Packers a much needed ground game.

9. Receiving Corp

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Wide receivers Greg Jennings #85, Donald Driver #80 and Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers on their sideline agains tthe Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois

The Green Bay receiving corp is one of the deepest in the league.

Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson give Aaron Rodgers a plethora of targets to find downfield.

Jennings must have a big Super Bowl for the Packers, and if one of the other three can step up as they've done all season, the Steelers secondary will be picked apart.

8. B.J. Raji

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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

Raji has been huge for the Packers.  Literally.

He has been a force on the defensive line and a great run stopper.  And against the Bears, he showed off his athleticism by returning an interception for a touchdown.

Raji needs to continue to plug the middle and make it difficult for Rashard Mendenhall to find holes to run through.

7. Packers Win Streak

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Andrew Quarless #81 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates Brandon Jackson #32 after a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on Ja

Green Bay is as hot as any team has been going into the Super Bowl.

With road victories against Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago, the Packers have shown that they can handle anything thrown their way and still excel.

The Steelers will be hard pressed to slow down the momentum Green Bay has gained during their playoff run.

6. Crowd/Fan Support

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers leaps into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

America wants Green Bay to win the Super Bowl.

They will receive a lot of fan support during the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, and look for the crowd in Dallas to be pro-Packers.

5. Linebackers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a sack against Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia,

The Packers linebackers are some of the best in the league.

Led by likely Defensive Player of the Year Clay Matthews, their support to stop the run is as good as any group's.

Look for Matthews and A.J. Hawk to not only stop the run, but also give Ben Roethlisberger fits while defending the pass.

4. Dom Capers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Defensive coordinator Dom Capers of the Green Bay Packers talks with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau prior to the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/G

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau may be the more nationally recognized coach, but Dom Capers has formed the Green Bay defense into what it is today.

Capers consistently comes up with great defensive schemes and uses the blitz effectively.

Look for Capers to confuse Roethlisberger and try to get in his head.

3. Secondary

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers smiles while taking on the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Packers secondary has been clutch during the playoffs.

Against the Eagles, Tramon Williams intercepted Michael Vick in the end zone to seal the Packers victory.

Two weeks later against the Bears, Sam Shields picked off a pass with 47 seconds remaining to punch the Packers' ticket to the Super Bowl.

Green Bay also has a guy named Charles Woodson, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

These three players will be key for the Packers trying to make the Steelers one-dimensional.

2. Aaron Rodgers

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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 Jamie Squir

It's no secret that Aaron Rodgers is the Packers' best player and that he needs to be the MVP for the Packers to win.

And that's exactly what's going to happen.

Rodgers has been exceptional during the playoffs, including a near-perfect performance against Atlanta where he went 31-for-36 for 366 yards and three touchdowns.

Rodgers will be able to handle the pressure of the Super Bowl and from the Steelers defense and give an MVP-caliber performance.

1. Destiny

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NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (California) poses with his jersey after being drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers during the 70th NFL Draft on April 23, 2005 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. (Photo by

The Packers are a team of destiny this season.

After faltering during the early parts of the season, Green Bay has hit their stride and are almost unbeatable.

And in Brett Favre's real final season, how fitting would it be for Aaron Rodgers to lead Green Bay to their fourth Super Bowl victory?