Super Bowl 2011: Breaking Down The Top 10 Receiving Targets Packers Vs. Steelers

One big play can change anything in a football game, let alone a Super Bowl.

Catching the ball and having a formidable passing attack in the National Football League is key when it comes to any football team.  The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are no different, as both teams have their fair share of good, well-rounded receivers to throw to.  Which team has a better receiving core though?

Both the Packers and the Steelers present a group of players both young and old, some rookies and some veterans, ranging from 22-35 years old.  Some of them are household names, others you will be hearing for the first time come this upcoming Super Bowl.

Here now are the 10 best receiving targets that will look to make an impact in Dallas on Feb. 5, when the American Football conference Champion Steelers will take on the National Football Conference Champion Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

10. Andrew Quarless (Green Bay Packers)

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Andrew Quarless #81 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball after making a catch against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Get

2010-11 stats:

21 rec.

238 yds.

11.3 yds/rec.

1 TD

With tight end Jermichael Finley quickly ending his season due to an injury in Week 5, tight end Andrew Quarless made the most of his first opportunity in the NFL in 2010.  The former fifth round pick by the Packers in 2010 held his own during his rookie season, even recording his first career touchdown Week 7 against Minnesota.

Putting rookie status aside, Quarless at just 22 years old could be a viable sleeper to watch for in Super Bowl XLV, as the former fifth round pick in 2010 has the qualities to become a go-to-guy late in the game if called upon.

9. John Kuhn (Green Bay Packers)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers avoids the tackle of Dimitri Patterson #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

2010-11 (receiving) stats:

15 rec.

97 yds.

6.5 yds/rec.

2 TD's

We all know what John Kuhn can do rushing the ball, but the fullback has also gained stardom with the Packers as another legitimate receiving target on the field.  In three postseason games this season, Kuhn has six receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.

The former Pittsburgh Steeler has quickly become a fan favorite in his four years in Green Bay, as he set career highs in rushing yards and touchdowns this past season.  Look for Kuhn to become the staple offensive weapon at the goal line in Super Bowl XLV, where his versatility both on the ground and in the air will help Green Bay try to win their first championship since 1998.

8. Emmanuel Sanders (Pittsburgh Steelers)

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 02: Emmanuel Sanders #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

2010-11 stats:

28 rec.

376 yds.

13.4 yds/rec.

2 TD's

The former third round pick by the Steelers in 2010, Emmanuel Sanders has been a big spark in the Pittsburgh offense this postseason.  Sanders is first on the Steelers in average yards per reception with14.8, and second to tight end Heath Miller with five playoff receptions.

Sanders has been a nice surprise for Pittsburgh and their fans this season.  It wouldn't surprise me to see him get a fair share of targets in Super Bowl XLV, as the Green Bay secondary will more than likely zone in on Steelers leading receiver Mike Wallace.  In doing this, Sanders may in fact become a sleeper at the wide receiver position for Pittsburgh, and may even make a big name for himself when it matters most.

7. Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers)

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he scored a 6-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in

2010-11 stats:

45 rec.

582 yds.

12.9 yds/rec.

2 TD's

The "Wes Welker" of the Packer offense, Jordy Nelson has been everything Green Bay could ask for down the stretch. In his three playoff games this season,  Nelson is tied with fellow wide receiver Donald Driver for the second most receptions during the postseason with 12.  His 146 yards receiving and one touchdown during the playoffs has also been one of the more productive stat lines from Packer receivers in a short amount of time.

Nelson, a former second round pick by Green Bay in 2008, will look to make some more noise not only on the field, but on the stat sheet as well in Super Bowl XLV.

6. Donald Driver (Green Bay Packers)

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Safety Patrick Chung #25 of the New England Patriots tackles wide receiver Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The

2010-11 stats:

51 rec.

565 yds.

11.1 yds/rec.

4 TD's

I know it's hard to believe, but Super Bowl XLV will be a first for longtime Green Bay receiver Donald Driver.  In 12 seasons with the Packers, Driver has had no problem catching the football—becoming the Packers all-time leading receiver in catches back in 2009.

Driver has also been a standout receiver during the postseason as well, hooking up with Aaron Rodgers for 12 receptions and 141 yards receiving. There's no doubt Driver and Packer fans alike hope their lifetime receiver will get his first Super Bowl ring on Feb. 5.

5. Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers)

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Wide Receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31-24 in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregor

2010-11 stats:

59 rec.

755 yds.

12.8 yds/rec.

5 TD's

Is it just me or does Hines Ward always seem like he's smiling?  That's because he has every reason to smile, given that this will be his third trip to the Super Bowl with the Steelers in six years.  The former Super Bowl XL MVP has had a Hall of Fame worthy career with Pittsburgh, becoming their all-time leader in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns over his13 year career.

Why should this Super Bowl appearance be any different for Ward?  He should have no problem contributing to the Steelers offensive attack against Green Bay.

4. Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers)

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Heath Miller #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass ruled incomplete against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham

2010-11 stats:

42 rec.

512 yds.

12.2 yds/rec.

2 TD's

For the Steelers this postseason, it's been about one thing—Miller Time—Heath Miller Time that is. The Pittsburgh tight end has led the team in both receptions (7) and yards (77) during their playoff run this season. It shouldn't be any different in Super Bowl XLV, as the Steelers will look for Miller throughout the game.

Whether Pittsburgh is in the game or not, the lifelong Steeler tight end will make make his mark in Dallas against the Packers defense.  If Ben Roethlisberger can't find Mike Wallace early, Miller will certainly be called upon to lead Pittsburgh on offense.

3. James Jones (Green Bay Packers)

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates as he walks off the field after the Pakers won 48-21 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, G

2010-11 stats:

50 rec.

679 yds.

13.6 yds/rec.

5 TD's

James Jones will arguably be the most underrated player on the field come Super Bowl XLV.  He was second on the Packers to only Greg Jennings with 679 receiving yards during the regular season.  Jones this postseason has led Green Bay with two touchdowns, with his most notable game coming against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional playoff game.

With an injury to teammate Donald Driver during Week 9 of the regular season, Jones not only stepped up as the No. 2 receiving target for the Packers, but he has yet to be stopped, becoming one of the most productive receivers in Green Bay during the second half of the season.

2. Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers)

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he scored a 7-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/

2010-11 stats:

76 rec.

1,265 yds.

16.6 yds./rec.

12 TD's

Greg Jennings.  What else is there to say about Aaron Rodgers' go-to-guy?  Well, while he did lead Green Bay in every offensive category during the regular season, Jennings has failed to record a touchdown during the postseason.  Yes, he led the Packers in playoff receptions with 17, and in receiving yards with 239, but one must wonder about his unusual absence from the end zone.

Maybe Jennings is simply waiting for the limelight of Super Bowl XLV to score and record his first touchdown catch since Week 15—at least many Packer fans hope so.

1. Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh Steelers)

2010-11 stats:

60 rec.

1,257 yds.

21 yds./rec.

10 TD's

In just his second year in the league, Mike Wallace broke out in a big way with the Black and Yellow this past season.  He not only led Pittsburgh in every offensive category during the regular season, but his 21 yards per reception was good enough for the second best average in the entire NFL.  Wallace, the former third round pick by the Steelers in the 2009, has built a good relationship on early success with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a very short amount of time.

This postseason though has been very different for Wallace, recording just four receptions for 26 yards receiving.  If Pittsburgh has any shot at a third Super Bowl Championship in the last six years, Wallace will need to become a huge part of the Steelers offense.  It's hard for me to believe the Roethlesberger-to- Wallace combo will go quietly in Super Bowl XLV.

At just 24 years old, Wallace could realistically be one of the better wide receivers in the entire NFL in the next few seasons, as things look very bright for him in Pittsburgh.