Super Bowl 2011: 10 Similarities Between the Steelers and Packers
This year's Super Bowl might be one for the ages.
Again, the world will watch two of the top five quarterbacks square off for the Lombardi trophy, but an elite quarterback is not the only similarity between both teams.
Both the Packers and Steelers showcase phenomenal defenses loaded with future Hall-of-Famers and young stars.
Super Bowl XLV verifies the theory that the NFL is a quarterback's league, and that defense wins championships.
Let's take a look at the equalizers on both teams.
1. Elite Quarterbacks (Roethlisberger/Rodgers)
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Big Ben has won two Super Bowls and is climbing the ranks on the all-time quarterbacks list.
Aaron Rodgers has played just four career playoff games (three wins all this postseason), but has proved he's a stud in this league.
Both Rodgers and Roethlisberger can create using their feet, and are excellent at making the big play when the offensive line breaks down.
Each man has an excellent receiving corps to attack with, considering that neither Aaron or Ben is afraid to go deep.
I expect the game to come down to the final minutes, while one of these stars will complete a game-winning drive.
2. Verical Wide-Receiving Threats (Jennings/Wallace)
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The two candidates here are Mike Wallace and Greg Jennings.
Wallace's 2010 breakout season allowed him to cement his status as the fastest wide receiver in the NFL.
As for Jennings, he does an excellent job running sideline routes, and he's always making double-moves on his coverage men.
Mike Wallace has unbelievable break away speed in the middle of the field, so I expect him to be double-covered on several occasions.
Both Wallace and Jennings caught at least 10 TD's in 2010. The safeties on both defenses will be playing deep.
3. Mammoth Defensive Tackles (Hampton/Raji)
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Casey Hampton is an All-Pro veteran for the Steelers, while B.J. Raji is a rising star who had a monster game last week against the Bears.
Hampton is the main ingredient to the Steelers' stingy run defense, while Raji is a little bit more athletic and finds his way to the quarterback at a much higher rate. (Raji- 6.5 sacks, Hampton- 1.0)
Raji has the advantage Sunday because second-year stud center Maurkice Pouncey is injured.
Hampton and Raji will attract several blockers next Sunday.
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4. An Impact Linebacker (Matthews/Harrison)
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James Harrison and Clay Matthews could very well be the two most intimidating players in the NFL.
Harrison was fined over $100 thousand this year for his vicious hits, while Matthews finished fourh in the league in sacks, and is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
Both men will cause major problems for their opposing quarterbacks because of their blitzing roles. Neither Harrison or Matthews are dropped back into coverage very often, and you can expect relentless effort from both men on Sunday.
Both Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthey should be using their running backs as blockers on Super Bowl Sunday.
5. Hall-Of-Fame Defensive Backs (Polamalu/Woodson)
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In my opinion, aside from the battle at the quarterback position, Woodson and Polamalu are the most significant players on the field for both teams.
Charles Woodson had 92 tackles in 2010, and keep in mind, he's a corner back.
On the other hand, Polamalu is able to make spectacular catches for interceptions, and his nose for the ball is better than any player in the NFL.
The Steelers are 14-4 when Polamalu plays, but only 5-7 when he doesn't.
A fascinating ability both players posses, is their ability to disguise the blitz. Both Dick LeBeau and Dom Capers love to send Polamalu and Woodson after the quarterback, and with great success rates too.
6. Excellent Head Coaches (Tomlin/McCarthy)
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As the NFL stands right now, I'm willing to pronounce Mike Tomlin as the best coach in the league.
He overcame great obstacles this season, and even after Big Ben was suspended four games, the Steelers are in the Super Bowl.
Tomlin seems to have a firm grasp on his team, and the Rooney's love him.
As for McCarthy, he's developed into an offensive mastermind.
He's done a great job with Aaron Rodgers, and has his team believing they can be champions after their miraculous late run to make the playoffs.
Both coaches are quiet, but very powerful minds in their respective organizations.
7. Loyalty On Offense (Driver/Ward)
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Both Donald Driver and Hines Ward have spent their entire careers with their respective teams.
While Driver is yet to play in a Super Bowl with his beloved Packers, Ward has played a major part on two Steelers title teams.
Both Driver and Ward are workhorses who battle at the line of scrimmage to move the chains, and can be counted on when a big conversion must be made.
While both men have battled injuries this season, they block with great intensity when necessary. Ward is regarded as the best blocker at wide receiver of all-time.
Look for these classy veterans to leave their hearts on the field this Sunday, as possible retirement looms for each of them.
Defensive Masterminds (LeBeau/Capers)
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LeBeau is much more reputable as the legend compared to Dom Capers, but both men have done an incredible job with their defenses this season.
The Steelers are always filled with veteran linebackers and tough guys who love to hit, and LeBeau is a blitzing genius.
As for the Packers, Dom Capers loves blitzing his corner backs while playing zones, and has done a great job coaching-up the youngsters such as Sam Shields and Tramon Williams.
Both defensive coordinators have all the weapons to make either quarterback's day a nightmare, and one can expect to see different blitz packages all night.
LeBeau is on the verge of retirement at the age of 73, so going out with another Super Bowl would mean a lot to him.
9. Die-Hard Fan Bases
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Both teams are arguably the most legendary teams in their respective conferences.
Since the game is in Dallas, the stadium should be about even in terms of the amount of fans for each team.
The Cheese Heads of Lambeau Field have been waiting to go back to the Super Bowl since Brett Favre took the Packers in the 1997 season.
As for the ruthless fans of Pittsburgh, they've been waiving the Terrible Towel quite frequently in recent years, especially since Roethlisberger took over.
Both fan bases are incredibly loyal, but should be evenly-divided in the stadium come next Sunday.
It's "Go Pack, Go!" against "Sixburgh."
10. Tradition
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Coincidentally, the Packers will be chasing the Lombardi Trophy come February 6, 2011.
Vince Lombardi is an icon of the NFL, and made his legacy while coaching those legendary Green Bay Packers.
The Steelers on the other hand have won more Lombardi Trophies than any other team in the history of the league, with six.
Pittsburgh developed their style of hard-nosed football in the 1970's with some great players and coaches.
The Rooney Family, owners of the Steelers for generations, are considered to be some of the best owners in sports.
They are philanthropists, and love to support the Pittsburgh community while providing the city with a competitive team almost every season.
There's a sense of nostalgia in the sports world when discussing the Packers and Steelers, and Super Bowl XLV will make the NFL all the more popular.
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