Super Bowl 2011: Revisiting Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009

For fans of both the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, 2009 was a season to mostly forget. 

The Packers, while making the playoffs as a wild card, were beaten twice by Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings and were bounced from the playoffs by the Arizona Cardinals after allowing 51 points. 

The Steelers, on the other hand, didn't even make the playoffs and finished third in the AFC North with a 9-7 record. 

Just a year later, both franchises have made improbable journeys to the Super Bowl.

However, 2009 shouldn't be completely forgotten by either the Packers or Steelers. That's because the two faced off in one of the more entertaining and exciting games of that season, and both teams can learn a lot about each other by breaking what happened in that game. 

Let's take a look back at the Steelers' 37-36 win back in Week 15 of the 2009 season to identify two things the Packers need to repeat and two things the Packers desperately need to fix in order to become World Champions in 2010. 

Need to Repeat

The Play of Aaron Rodgers

Lost in the shuffle of Ben Roethlisberger's 503-yard passing performance that day was that Aaron Rodgers shredded the Pittsburgh defense as well. 

Rodgers completed 26-of-48 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns for a 101.3 passer rating. 

A year later, Rodgers has become the NFL's playoff darling after a strikingly similar performance against the Atlanta Falcons in which he completed 36 passes for 366 yards and three passing touchdowns. 

While we know Rodgers is perfectly capable of putting up those kind of staggering numbers, to expect a repeat performance against a much better Steelers' defense this time around would be unwise. 

Rather, Rodgers needs to repeat a couple key things from that game: zero turnovers and a lot big plays.

He didn't throw an interception or fumble against the Steelers' defense, which will be the telling statistic whether the Packers win or lose against Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

Rodgers also hit on several big plays, connecting with Greg Jennings on a 83-yard touchdown in the first quarter and also hitting Donald Driver for 47 yards and both James Jones and Jordy Nelson on completions over 20 yards. 

Big plays and avoiding turnovers will be key points for the Packers' offense in Super Bowl XLV. 

Pressure on Roethlisberger

The Packers' pass defense did little to stop the Steelers' quarterback back in '09, but they at least were able to get pressure on Roethlisberger throughout the game. 

Green Bay recorded five sacks and probably should have registered a handful more if they were able to bring down Roethlisberger. 

While that's the beauty of Roethlisberger's game, the Packers need to continue that same pressure they applied in Week 15 during the Super Bowl. 

When you look at all the factors involved, that looks like a doable feat for the Packers. The Steelers' offensive line has been berated by injuries all season, and rookie center Maurkice Pouncey was the latest addition to the medical report. 

His sprained ankle will be a storyline to watch moving forward, but the Packers should still be able to get pressure on Roethlisberger regardless. 

The Packers were second in the NFL in sacks this season (Pittsburgh was No. 1), and they've caught fire in the postseason. 

Green Bay has a playoff-leading 10 sacks in three games, and you'd have to think that success can continue against a patchwork offensive line. 

And while Roethlisberger won't get near the 503 yards he delivered against the Packers in 2009, he most certainly can pick his way through Green Bay's defense if he's given time. 

With an improved Packers' secondary, pressure on Roethlisberger will make all the difference in stopping the Steelers' passing attack. 

Need to fix

Pass Defense

Obviously a no-brainer for the Packers, but it's worth a mention. Let's break down how Roethlisberger shredded Green Bay's pass defense. 

First off, he completed passes to seven different receivers, and five of those receivers finished with 70 or more yards. That's not a typo—five different receivers (Hines Ward, Santanio Holmes, Heath Miller, Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall) had over 70 yards receiving that afternoon. 

Secondly, the Packers were playing defensive packages that included both Jarrett Bush and Josh Bell, and the Steelers time after time picked on those two. 

While those kind of numbers can't happen again in the Super Bowl, the Packers should be better off personnel-wise to ensure that doesn't happen. 

The emergence of nickel back Sam Shields, who had two huge interceptions to seal the NFC Championship game, will look to play a big role. 

Tramon Williams has also emerged as one of the NFL's best cover corners, and his three interceptions in the postseason have helped the Packers get to the Super Bowl as well. 

Mix in perennial Pro Bowlers Nick Collins and Charles Woodson, and it's at least safe to say the Steelers won't be passing for 500 yards on this defense again. 

Rediscover the Killer Instinct

The Packers took the lead on the Steelers twice in the fourth quarter in '09 but were unable to put Pittsburgh away when given the chance. 

Ryan Grant's 24-yard scamper gave the Packers a 28-27 lead with 7:49 left in the fourth, but the Steelers marched down the field for a 43-yard field goal to go back up 30-27. 

After Rodgers hit James Jones on a 24-yard touchdown pass with 2:06 left to regain the lead at 36-30, the Steelers then completed their miracle drive that was capped off with Mike Wallace's 19-yard touchdown at the buzzer that gave Pittsburgh the 37-36 win. 

The same could be said about the Packers last week. After going up 14-0 early in the first half, the Packers went on cruise control for the remainder of the game, and the offense didn't score another point. 

That let the Chicago Bears get right back into the game, and it took Shield's late interception to seal the Packers' win. 

Rediscovering that killer instinct will be vital to the Packers winning Super Bowl XLV. If the Packers do obtain a lead on the Steelers, they need to be able to put away Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger has proven against the Packers and in the Super Bowl that he can drive his team for the winning score in the waning moments. 

If the Packers want to avoid becoming just a footnote in the history of Roethlisberger and the Steelers, they'll need to make sure they put the dagger in Pittsburgh if given the chance. 

Conclusion

A lot of people will discount what happened between the Packers and Steelers in 2009 because of the players who weren't playing for the Steelers and who was playing for the Packers. 

It's a valid point as the Steelers not having Troy Polamalu and the Packers having the likes of Jermichael Finley, Ryan Grant, and Nick Barnett does change the complexity of this game. 

However, there is still plenty to be learned from breaking down their 2009 matchup. 

The Packers surely have some sort of offensive blueprint after attacking the Steelers through the air, and their defensive script should include pressuring Roethlisberger like they did in '09. 

Yet the Packers will also need to shore up their passing defense and regain a killer instinct to give themselves a chance at becoming World Champions. 

Regardless of what the Packers need to repeat and fix, one thing is for sure. 

If the Packers and Steelers play another game as exciting and entertaining as their '09 matchup was, Super Bowl XLV will go down as one of the best Super Bowls ever played.