Super Bowl 2011: Aaron Rodgers vs. Ben Roethlisberger and Top 10 Matchups

Super Bowl XLV features two of the most storied franchises in NFL history. The Green Bay Packers, winners of three Super Bowls, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the most successful team in league history with six rings, will face off February 6th for the Lombardi Trophy. 

From training camp to now, these teams have had to face injury, controversy, and 30 other teams fighting for the right to play for the title. 

This is a position by position breakdown that will show who has the edge and why they will win....

Quarterback

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Quarterbacks

Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger

These are two of the best quarterbacks in the league for a reason. Rodgers has taken the Packers on his back this season despite not having an efficient run game and suffering a concussion on two seprate occasions. He has become one the hardest signal callers to sack due to his illusive nature and ability to read the blitz. His wide receivers love this guy because even when a play breaks down, he is great at directing traffic and finding the open man wherever he may be.

Roethlisberger is cut from the same cloth. The man is nearly impossible to take down because of his physical nature and crafty playmaking abilities on the fly. Both quarterbacks are much quicker than they appear and make it difficult on a defense to game plan against them.

Its hard to give the edge to either player because of the impact that they have on their teams. It will be interesting to see who is holding the Lombardi Trophy over their head when it is all said and done, because these guys are going to give it everything they got. 

Advantage: Push

Running Backs

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against Bart Scott #57 of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gr

Green Bay: Brandon Jackson, John Kuhn, James Starks

Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore

Mendenhall's 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns are more than all of the Green Bay running backs combined. Losing Ryan Grant during the first week of the season was tough, and Brandon Jackson and the John Kuhn, could not fill the void.

This is no contest, the Steelers run game was impressive against the Jets, and will be key during the Superbowl.

Advantage: Steelers

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Green Bay: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Andrew Quarless

Pittsburgh Steelers: Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Antwaan Randle El, Heath Miller

While we all know the hard nose style of Hines Ward, and the vertical threat that Mike Wallace supplies, the Green Bay Packers' wide receiving core is one of the best in the game.

Recently, Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears said, "I would say this receiving corps is the best in the NFL..." "Their ability to get a lot of yards after the catch [makes them the best]. They run hard. They make the difficult catch. They block well down the field."

Heath Miller is also an X factor in this game, because Roethlisberger relies heavily on him when he is in trouble. 

Advantage: Packers

Offensive Line

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers looks on against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21. (Photo by Streeter Lec

Green Bay: Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang

Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Scott, Chris Kemoeatu, Markice Pouncey, Ramon Foster, Flozell Adams

Before the season started, Willie Colon, the Steelers Right Tackle was sidelined for the season. In comes Flozell Adams, a veteran that has lost a step. The Steelers gave up 43 sacks, 8th worst in the league and it could have been worse if not for Roethlisberger's ability to escape the pocket. Their swiss cheese blocking may be problematic against an aggressive Packers defense that has their own version of James Harrison in the form of Clay Matthews.  

Advantage: Packers

Defensive Line

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Casey Hampton #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs onto the field 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/G

Green Bay: Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Cullen Jenkins

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ziggy Hood, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel

With both teams running a 3-4 defense, it is easier to compare their styles. I would like to call this contest a push, but the Steelers only gave up 62.8 YPG on the ground this season. Those type of numbers are a team effort, but it all starts up from with Hampton clogging up the middle and getting a great push on the center and guards. Both teams are great at moving the pocket and making the quarterback uncomfortable, but I give Pittsburgh a slight edge.

Advantage: Steelers

Linebackers

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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

Green Bay: Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop, Erik Walden

Pittsburgh Steelers: LaMarr Wodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison

Another very close category, the linebacking core for the steelers has proven time and time again that in big spots, they can get big stops. Harrison is the heart and soul of a team that got to the quarterback 48 times this season. 

On the other side, the Packers linebackers have been ferocious in their own right. Clay Matthews has evolved as one of the most feared defenders in the game and should give Roethlisberger plenty of trouble during the game.

Advantage: Steelers

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)

Green Bay: Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Charlie Peprah, Nick Collins

Pittsburgh Steelers: Bryant McFadden, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor

You might be asking, how can the Packers have a better secondary when the Steelers have Troy Polamalu? Well, Tramon Williams is a name that soon everyone will know after the Super Bowl. The fifth year pro has earned his first Pro Bowl appearance and will be a huge factor in keeping the ball out of Mike Wallace's hands and preventing big plays.

Advantage: Packers

Special Teams

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Shaun Suisham #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after kicking a 41-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham

Green Bay: Mason Crosby (K), Tim Masthay (P), Tramon Williams (PR), Sam Shields (KR)

Pittsburgh Steelers: Shaun Suisham (K), Jeremy Kapinos (P), Antonio Bryant (PR/KR)

Neither team has any special teams players that have the big play ability of a Devin Hester or a DeSean Jackson. The game might just come down to a field goal, so both teams will rely heavily on their punters and kickers to control field position.

Advantage: Push

Coaching Staff

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers holds up the Lamar Hunt trophy after the Steelers defeated the New York Jets 24 to 19 in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Penns

Green Bay: Mike McCarthy (Head Coach), Joe Philbin (OC), Dom Capers (DC)

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin (Head Coach), Bruce Arians (OC), Dick LeBeau (DC)

Mike Tomlin has been here before and has seen what it takes to get to the top of the mountain. That being said, Mike McCarthy has been a very good coach and mentor to Rodgers, and under his wing has flourished. Under the radar are the two defensive coordinators Dick LeBeau and Dom Capers, two of the most talented defensive play callers in the league.

Advantage: Steelers

Intangibles

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is interviewed by CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz after they defeated the New York Jets 24 to 19 during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsbur

Advantage: Steelers

Having guys that have been in the Super Bowl before that can handle media day, the pressure, and the spotlight is very important. This is Roethlisberger and many of his teammate's third title game and do not be surprised if we see some early game jitters from even the coolest Packers. 

Winner

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: A replica of the Vince Lombardi trophy at Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

And the winner is the .....

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Final Score: 27-21

After analyzing all of the matchups, it seems that this is one of the most evenly matched and star driven Super Bowls that we have seen in a long time. At the end of the day, I still see Aaron Rodgers being able to pick apart the Steeler's secondary and take advantage of three and four set wide receiver packages against the Steelers nickel and dime coverage corners. 

Rodgers wins his first title, and solidifies his place as an elite NFL QB.