2011 Super Bowl: 10 Key Matchups Between The Packers and Steelers

While football is generally considered a team sport, individual performers can change the course of a game at any moment, especially on the big stage.

Super Bowl XLV is just a week away, and several key matchups have taken shape between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers. Since both teams are very talented, many of these individual matchups will determine who comes out on top in this game.

In the following slideshow, I have presented key matchups and offered my opinion on who has the advantage.

1. Aaron Rodgers v. Troy Polamalu

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up on defense 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 b

Aaron Rodgers, QB

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 225

College: California

Experience: Six years

Stats: 28 TD, 11 INT, 3,922 YDS, 101.2 RTG

Troy Polamalu, S

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 207

College: USC

Experience: Eight years

Stats: 63 TCKL, 1.0 SCK, 1 FF, 7 INT

1. Advantage: Rodgers

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

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)

Both of these players are two of the most talented athletes in the game of football today. Polamalu can make plays not too many safeties can make.

However, not only is Rodgers emerging as a top five NFL quarterback, he is also playing the best football of his life right now.

I'm giving the edge to Rodgers in this matchup. Polamalu still may not be 100 percent, but there is no way he would miss this game. If Rodgers can establish some momentum early, it might be a long day for Polamalu.

2. Ben Roethlisberger v. Nick Collins

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a play against the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Jets 24 to 19

Ben Roethlisberger, QB

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 241

College: Miami (Ohio)

Experience: Seven years

Stats: 17 TD, 5 INT, 3,200 YDS, 97.0 RTG

Nick Collins, S

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 207

College: Bethune-Cookman

Experience: Six years

Stats: 70 TCKL, 4 INT

2. Advantage: Roethlisberger

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against Jason Taylor #99 of the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won

Not many things can stop Big Ben, and I don't expect Nick Collins to be one of them.

Don't get me wrong, Collins is a very good NFL player.  But Roethlisberger has been to the big dance before and knows what it takes to win. Collins will need a lot of luck in trying to bring him down.

The edge here goes to Big Ben, who will attempt to win his third career Super Bowl in just his seventh NFL season.

3. Greg Jennings v. Bryant McFadden

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Bryant McFadden #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up before the snap against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Greg Jennings, WR

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 198

College: Western Michigan

Experience: Five years

Stats: 76 REC, 1,265 YDS, 16.6 AVG, 12 TD

Bryant McFadden, CB

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 190

College: Florida State

Experience: Six years

Stats: 81 TCKL, 2.0 SCK, 2 FF, 2 INT

3. Advantage: Jennings

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates as he walks off the field after the Packers own 48-21 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta

Greg Jennings may not be the biggest or fastest receiver, but he seems to make the big play in the big spot, and that's what it's all about. Throughout the playoffs, Rodgers has found him countless times for big gains.

The Packers have exploited the seams down the middle of the field and will look to do so against Pittsburgh.

McFadden is a solid NFL corner, but I'll give the edge to the hot hands of Greg Jennings.

4. Mike Wallace v. Charles Woodson

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mike Wallace #17 celebrates after Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scored a second quarter touchdown against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsbu

Mike Wallace, WR

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 199

College: Mississippi

Experience: Two years

Stats: 60 REC, 1,257 YDS, 21.0 AVG, 10 TD

Charles Woodson, CB

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 202

College: Michigan

Experience: 13 years

Stats: 92 TCKL, 2.0 SCK, 5 FF, 2 INT

4. Advantage: Woodson

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Despite being a 13-year veteran, Charles Woodson flat-out gets the job down whenever he steps onto a football field. Paired with rising star Tramon Williams, the Green Bay corners should present a challenge for Big Ben.

Wallace can make the big play, but he was shut down against the Jets' defense. Darrelle Revis covered him and basically made him obsolete.

Woodson is on the same level as Revis, if not better, so I give the advantage to Woodson.

5. James Starks v. James Harrison

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Running back James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after his four-yard second quarter touchdown run against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (P

James Starks, RB

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 218

College: Buffalo

Experience: R

Stats: 29 CAR, 101 YDS, 3,5 AVG

James Harrison, LB

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 242

College: Kent State

Experience: Seven years

Stats: 100 TCKL, 10.5 SCK, 6 FF, 2 INT

5. Advantage: Harrison

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by G

Don't let James Starks' regular season numbers fool you. He has had some nice games in the playoffs, and I expect him to get a significant workload in the Super Bowl.

But James Harrison is a beast. He can stop the run, put pressure on the quarterback and just create havoc at any point. Luckily for the Steelers, he did not choose to retire after the NFL's new helmet-to-helmet policy was adopted.

I'm sure Harrison would be willing to pay a fine if his team won the Super Bowl, so look for him to be running around like a man possessed out there. The edge obviously goes to Harrison.

6. Rashard Mendenhall v. Clay Matthews

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Linebacker Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers holds up two fingers against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Rashard Mendenhall, RB

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 225

College: Illinois

Experience: Three years

Stats: 324 CAR, 1,273 YDS, 3.9 AVG, 13 TD

Clay Matthews, LB

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 255

College: Southern California

Experience: Two years

Stats: 60 TCKL, 13.5 SCK, 2 FF, 1 INT

6. Advantage: Mendenhall

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against Bart Scott #57 of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers

Like Rodgers, Rashard Mendenhall could quite possibly be playing the best football of his life right now.

Against one of the top-rated rushing defenses in the New York Jets, Mendenhall rushed for more than 120 yards.  Not even Lawrence Taylor could stop Mendenhall right now.

Clay Matthews is a fine athlete, and paired with A.J. Hawk, they form an impressive tandem for Green Bay.

Mendenhall refuses to be tackled though and has earned the edge.

7. Green Bay's Offensive Line v. Pittsburgh's Defensive Line

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers looks on 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. (Photo by Streeter Leck

Green Bay OL

Chad Clifton, T: 6'5" 320 lbs

Daryn Colledge, G: 6'4" 308 lbs

Scott Wells, C: 6'2" 300 lbs

Josh Sitton, G: 6'3" 318 lbs

T.J. Lang, T: 6'4" 318 lbs

Pittsburgh DL

Ziggy Hood, DE: 6'3" 300 lbs, 20 TCKL, 3.0 SCK

Casey Hampton, NT: 6'1" 325 lbs, 20 TCKL, 1.0 SCK

Brett Kiesel, DE: 6'5" 285 lbs, 33 TCKL, 3.0 SCK

7. Advantage: Green Bay's Offensive Line

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Josh Sitton #71 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the field while taking on the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

No wonder Rodgers gets such great protection. No one wants to come near this guy.

Seriously though, the front five of Green Bay work very well as a unit, anchored by Pro-Bowl tackle Chad Clifton.

If they keep up the pace they've been playing at, Rodgers should have plenty of time in the pocket to find his receivers down field.

Hood, Hampton and Kiesel are a talented group, but I'll give the edge to the Packers.

8. Pittsburgh's Offensive Line v. Green Bay's Defensive Line

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

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

Pittsburgh OL

Jonathan Scott, T: 6'3" 318 lbs

Chris Kemoeatu, G: 6'3" 344 lbs

Doug Legursky, C: 6'1" 315 lbs

Ramon Foster, G: 6'6" 325 lbs

Flozell Adams, T: 6'7" 338 lbs

Green Bay DL

Ryan Pickett, DE: 6'2" 340 lbs, 32 TCKL, 1.0 SCK

B.J. Raji, NT: 6'2" 337 lbs, 39 TCKL, 6.5 SCK

Cullen Jenkins, DE: 6'2' 305 lbs, 18 TCKL, 7.0 SCK

8. Advantage: Green Bay's Defensive Line

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: B.J. Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers reacts with teammates 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

One of the greatest things to see in the NFL is when a fat guy scores.

Such was the case when B.J. Raji ran back an interception for a touchdown in the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears. 

Cullen Jenkins may be one of the most underrated defensive ends in the game. He may not have stats, but he constantly puts pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Pittsburgh's offensive line is made up of guys who aren't afraid to get dirty and who also aren't afraid to play dirty. Kemoeatu and Adams are known for their late hits, and that may come back to haunt them if the penalty flag is thrown.

The advantage here goes to Green Bay.

9. Mason Crosby v. Shaun Suisham

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Shaun Suisham #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after kicking a 41-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham

Mason Crosby, K

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 207

College: Colorado

Experience: Four years

Stats: 22 FGM, 28 FGA, 78.6 PCT, 56 LNG

Shaun Suisham, K

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 200

College: Bowling Green State

Experience: Six years

Stats: 14 FGM, 15 FGA, 93.3 PCT, 48 LNG

9. Advantage: Crosby

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers kicks a field goal against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Countless times, the Super Bowl is decided by one final kick, and that could very well be the case this year also.

Despite the 93.3 percent in the regular season, Shaun Suisham is not the most accurate kicker. Mason Crosby missed six times during the regular season as well.

In a spot with the game on the line, I would want Crosby. However, with kickers, it is very psychological. I'll give the Packers the edge, but this one really is a tossup on whoever has the hotter foot.

10. Mike Tomlin v. Mike McCarthy

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers looks on in the second half 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)

Mike Tomlin

Experience: Four

Super Bowl Victories: One

Mike McCarthy

Experience: Four

Super Bowl Victories: 0

10. Advantage: Tomlin

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Mike Tomlin 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

These coaches are different yet similar. Mike Tomlin is a defensive mastermind while Mike McCarthy knows his offense.

They both rely on big-time quarterbacks and a defense filled with playmakers .

The one thing that separates Tomlin from McCarthy is the Super Bowl ring. Tomlin has been there before, and I will therefore give him the advantage.

That's no knock on McCarthy, who I think should win Coach of the Year, but sometimes experience prevails in the big game.