Super Bowl 2011: Top Five Impact Players From Each The Packers and Steelers

In Super Bowl XLV two of the toughest defenses as well as two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL will meet to see who walks away with the Lombardi trophy. There are so many great players on each team but here are five of the best impact players that could single-handedly alter the course of Super Bowl XLV.

No. 5 Troy Polamalu, Strong Safety, Pittsburgh Steelers.

What is there to say about Polamalu that hasn’t already been addressed? Polamalu brings an intensity to the game that is unmatched by most defensive backs in the NFL. He also has the ability to single-handedly alter a game with just one play.

In week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens with just over three minutes remaining and the Ravens leading 10-6, Polamalu came off the end on a safety blitz and forced a fumble that would eventually lead to a Steelers touchdown and a huge 13-10 victory over Baltimore. His ability to read the defense has allowed him to excel at a position that is one of the most unstable in all of football.

Earlier in the season in a game against the Titans, Polamalu took a page from Superman as he leapt over the offensive and defensive line in order to sack Tyler Thigpen before he had time to even raise his head. His big-play ability has garnered him the respect of players and analysts alike and the only reason he’s not higher on this list is due to an injury he sustained at the end of the season forcing him to miss some action.

Even at less than 100 percent, Polamalu will play a huge part in Super Bowl XLV and may be the impact player that makes the difference in becoming a champion.

Charles Woodson, Conerback, Green Bay Packers.

No. 4Charles Woodson, Cornerback, Green Bay Packers.

Another DB but not just any DB. Charles Woodson has been a game changer under the national spotlight since his days at the University of Michigan where he became the only primary defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. Woodson has a knack for making big plays in big games as seen during his tenure at Michigan where he led the Wolverines to a huge victory over their rivals the Ohio State Buckeyes. During the game Woodson returned a punt for TD, had an interception and set up an offensive score with 37 yard catch, the victory would allow Michigan to play in the Rose Bowl and secure a share of the National Title.

While playing for the Raiders in the AFC title game against the Patriots, Woodson seemingly locked up the game for Oakland with a forced fumble late in the game, but was eventually overturned in the famous “Tuck Rule Game”.

Woodson has 10 career defensive touchdowns and is a threat at any moment to change the momentum of any game. In 2009 Woodson was named Defensive Player of the Year and will most assuredly have a direct impact on the Packers chances of winning their fourth Super Bowl title.

James Harrison, Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers.

No. 3 Jams Harrison, Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers.

It would not be right to have a list such as this without putting the Steelers all-world linebacker, James Harrison, right near the top. Harrison is without question one of the most intimidating figures in all of football today and also has the ability to disrupt an entire offense single-handedly.

In perhaps one the single greatest plays in the history of the NFL, in the waning moments of the first half of Super Bowl XLIII, Harrison intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. The play shifted the momentum and allowed the Steelers to hold on and eventually secure a 27-23 victory over the Cardinals.

Harrison will be under close watch by Green Bay, but with his big play ability and his relentless motor, he will most likely have a direct impact on the outcome of Super Bowl XLV.

Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers.

No. 2 Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers.

Coming off of his third straight season with at least 28 touchdown passes, despite missing two games due to injury, Rodgers has been as sharp as ever over the last six weeks. A year of milestones for Rodgers has led him to the ultimate goal as Green Bay looks to take home their fourth Super Bowl Title.

What makes Rodgers so good is his ability to see the field in combination with an often-underrated scrambling ability. With 13 career rushing TD’s Rodgers has the ability to beat a defense in multiple ways and is surprisingly fast for a pass-first QB.

As seen in his near-perfect destruction of No. 1 seeded Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2010 playoffs. Rodgers completed 31-36 passes for 366 yards, three TD passes and one rushing TD as well.

Rodgers has had to live in the shadow of the legendary Brett Favre his entire career, but will have a chance to forge his own legacy with a win over the most prolific franchise in NFL history.

Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers.

No. 1 Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers.

Some QB’s can put up big numbers while winning where as others make big plays when the game matters most. Ben Roethlisberger is one of these players who can do both and what makes him even more dangerous is his ability to make big plays even when he has struggled throughout most of the game as evidenced in his performance against the Jets in the 2010 AFC title game.

With two Super Bowl titles already under his belt and an incredible 26 career come from behind game-winning drives, “Big Ben” has proven his worth and has shown that when the game matters most, he will step it up and carry the weight.

In one of his greatest plays, Roethlisberger connected with Santonio Holmes for the go-ahead TD with just 35 seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII.

“Big Ben” will have to shoulder the load against Green Bay if Pittsburgh wants to take home yet another NFL title and it just may come down to one final play.