Super Bowl 2011: 5 Key Matchups That Will Help Determine Super Bowl XLV Champion

With the 2011 Super Bowl a little over a week away, we take a look at five key matchups that will without a doubt have an important impact on who wins the big game.

Set to face off February 6 in Dallas, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers both have certain attributes on each side of the ball that will outweigh each other and ultimately decide the victor.

Although it is quite impossible to predict who will win Super Bowl XLV, we can still break down certain aspects of each team’s game to see who has the edge.

Mike Wallace vs. Packers D

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball on a trick play during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Imag

If you’ve been following the postseason, Mike Wallace hasn’t made much of an impact for the Steelers, but expect all this to change on February 6 in Dallas.

Despite no touchdowns this postseason, Wallace’s big play potential will finally be showcased on Sunday and the Packers' D needs to take him seriously.

Packers cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Sam Shields can both match Wallace’s athleticism and will give Wallace a tough time on the outside, but I think Wallace has the edge when comparing his pure instincts and technique as a receiver.

Yes, the Packers’ secondary is phenomenal. Yes, the Packers' defense as a whole will have a great game. But don’t expect this to stop one of the game's best up-and-coming wideouts in Wallace, and Ben Roethlisberger will see this.

EDGE: Mike Wallace

Aaron Rodgers vs. Troy Polamalu

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up before the snap during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

A huge matchup that will be talked about until the day before the Super Bowl is Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu versus Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.

Both have stepped their games up this postseason. Most notably Rodgers who has passed for 790 yards and six touchdowns during the postseason, but Polamalu is obviously a force to be reckoned with.

Polamalu has the unique skill set at safety to direct the actions of an opposing quarterback by using his presence to dominate. Polamalu also has experience on his side, appearing in the postseason with the Steelers five times.

Although Polamalu has recorded an astounding zero picks this postseason, expect him to get healthy over the next week and dominate in the Super Bowl like he has done so many times before. 

EDGE: Troy Polamalu

B.J. Raji vs. Steelers Backup Center

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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

With Pittsburgh’s starting center Maurkice Pouncey most likely out for the Super Bowl, B.J. Raji will have more than enough incentive to dominate any player who steps in at the center position.

Raji, who scored on a pick six against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game, will be an amusing player to watch as he uses his 300+ pound body to dominate at the nose guard position, clearing past the backup center and into the Packers’ backfield.

Raji is used to tackling speedy backs this postseason after fits with LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte and Michael Turner, so expect him to once again bring his A game and get the job done.

EDGE: B.J. Raji

Clay Mathews vs. Steelers O-Line

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GREEN BAY, WI - MAY 1: Linebacker Clay Mathews #52 walks on the field as he participates in practice drills during Green Bay Packers Minicamp at Don Hutson Center on May 1, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Dom Capers' defense will no doubt take its toll on Big Ben and the rest of the Steelers' O-Line, and anticipate Clay Mathews to be a driving force in making this happen.

Mathews, who has a few sacks on Big Ben in his career, will come up big in his first appearance in the Super Bowl and will match his 3.5 sacks during the entire postseason.

He’s got the backup to succeed, and you better believe he will.

Teaming up with A.J. Hawk, Raji, Desmond Bishop and more, Mathews will fly right by the Steelers' O-Line into the backfield, commanding the game in his favor.

EDGE: Clay Mathews

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Packers Secondary

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to their 2011 AFC Championship game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/G

Pittsburgh and Roethlisberger will want to begin Super Bowl XLV exactly the same way they began the first half of the AFC Championship game: Ram the ball down the throat of the Packers.

Leave it to Big Ben to do this as he looks for his third Super Bowl win in his seven-year career, and the Packers' D better watch out.

With weapons such as Rashard Mendenhall, Wallace and Hines Ward at Roethlisberger’s disposal, the Steelers will have all aspects of their game showcased early on and Big Ben will have a career-game.

EDGE: Ben Roethlisberger