Super Bowl 2011: Can the Steelers Secondary Slow Down the Pack's Passing Attack?

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a good offense in the Super Bowl next week. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing attack was one of the better ones in the league during the 2010 regular season.

Since Rodgers came back from his second concussion, the offense has seemed to be even better.

But the Steelers secondary isn't a pushover. It's had its issues, but so has the Packers offense.

So let's breakdown the two units and see which one has the best chance to come out on top on Super Bowl Sunday.

Yes It Can Reason No. 5: The Bears Gave The Steelers The Template

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers is unable to make a catch as Tim Jennings #26 of the Chicago Bears is called for passing interference in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinoi

The Bears defense showed the Steelers how to shut down the Packers. Between the Week 17 game and the second half of last week's game, the Steelers know that you have to keep pressure on Aaron Rodgers.

Giving him a few hard hits doesn't hurt, either. Well, it hurts Rodgers, but that's a different story.

In breaking down the tape, all the Steelers have to do is watch how the Bears secondary covered the receivers and forced Rodgers to make quick decisions. Since the Steelers are good at covering receivers anyway, this shouldn't be that big of an issue.

No It Can't Reason No. 5: The Packers Know How To Adjust

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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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Packers adjusted to what the Bears did in Week 17 by coming out in the first half of the NFC Championship game and putting points on the board.

Those coaches aren't dumb. They'll look at how the Bears adjusted, and expect the Steelers to do the same thing. The necessary adjustments will be made and the passing game should be able to function with the usual amount of blips and bleeps.

Yes It Can Reason No.. 4: Ike Taylor

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo by Nick Laham/G

Ike Taylor is a major threat to the Packers passing game. He has two interceptions on the year, but many teams avoid throwing in his direction, as evidenced by his 66 tackles on the season.

Taylor shuts down his side of the field, and Rodgers will be looking for Taylor on every play as part of his read.

No It Can't Reason No. 4: Bryant McFadden

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets is tackled by Lawrence Timmons #94 and Bryant McFadden #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bryant McFadden is a decent cornerback, but he can get beat in man-to-man coverage. Rodgers is good enough to put the ball where only his receiver can get it, and McFadden will be the one watching the play happen.

McFadden is the weak link in the Steelers secondary.

Yes It Can Reason No. 3: Ryan Clark

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates their 24 to 19 win over the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Imag

Ryan Clark has 90 tackles and two interceptions on the year. He know where the ball is going to be and he gets to the point of contact and makes the play.

Clark is a major reason why the Steelers secondary is one of the better ones in the league.

No It Can't Reason No. 3: Donald Driver

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he made a reception 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

Donald Driver defines the phrase "veteran wide receiver." Driver will make plays on purpose that younger players make by accident.

Driver fought injuries this season, but now he's healthy. If anyone can find holes in the Steelers secondary, it's Donald Driver.

Yes It Can Reason No. 2: Dick LeBeau

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team warm up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Ge

Dick LeBeau has "been there, done that" for at least 20 years now, if not longer. There's almost nothing you can throw out on the field that LeBeau hasn't seen before, or at least prepared a contingency plan for.

There's a reason Mike Tomlin didn't change defensive coordinators when he came to the Steelers a few years ago; he knew it would be the dumbest thing he could possibly do.

If anyone can find the perfect way to shut down Aaron Rodgers besides Bill Belichick, it's Dick LeBeau.

No It Can't Reason No. 2: Mike McCarthy

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers points from the sideline in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy L

Mike McCarthy came up through the offensive ranks and knows how to put an offense together.

McCarthy got Matt Flynn developed from overwhelmed backup to competent starter in one week.

McCarthy has two weeks to prepare his offense against the team he grew up worshipping. This isn't something he'll take lightly. The Packers offense will be prepared to go on the field on Super Bowl Sunday, and they won't make it an easy day for the Steelers secondary.

Yes It Can Reason No. 1: Troy Polamalu

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hits Jerricho Cotchery #89 of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo

If Troy Polamalu is on the field, the Packers offense can be slowed down. Polamalu has natural instincts that can't be coached or taught, and those have made him an elite player at his position.

If Polamalu is on the field, Rodgers has to be aware of where Polamalu is at all times, or Polamalu just might take a few of Rodgers' passes back for touchdowns.

No It Can't Reason No.1: Aaron Rodgers

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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)

Aaron Rodgers quickly has become one of the better quarterbacks in the league. He didn't have a good second half against the Bears last week, but you can bet he and the coaches already have sat down to break down the game film and analyzed what wasn't working and fixed that for the Super Bowl.

Rodgers can make plays happen. He has great fundamentals and is a smart guy. The Steelers can't afford to take Rodgers lightly, or he'll tear them apart.

Conclusion: The Packers Aerial Attack Gets Through

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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

It's not going to be easy, but the Steelers are hurting, Polamalu isn't 100 percent, and the Packers got a scare versus the Bears that probably can be seen as a revelation at this point.

Whatever flaws the Bears exposed last week can be fixed before the Super Bowl. Plus, the Packers now have a running game to help keep the Steelers defense honest.

This won't be a 45-30 game, but the Packers will be able to score on the Steelers defense.