Super Bowl 2011: 10 Reasons the Green Bay Packers Should be Favored

Odds-makers have labeled the Green Bay Packers a three point favorite heading into Super Bowl XLV.  

Some may compare records and question how it is that a 10 to six team is favored over the Pittsburgh Steelers who finished the season 12 to four and were given a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

While it will be a closely fought game, the odds-makers got it right on this one and here are 10 reasons why:

10. Confidence

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers talks to his team 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 Jonathan

With only two teams remaining, Green Bay is arguably the hottest.

Getting to the BIg Game was no easy task for the Packers. Their road to Super Bowl XLV went through Philadelphia, Atlanta, and finally Chicago.  Most experts had those three teams as the most likely to represent the NFC in Dallas before the playoffs started.

With some convincing victories over very good teams, the packers are full of confidence.

They now realize that they have all the tools to take out any team in the league, and yes, that includes the Pittsburgh Steelers.

9. Taking Care of the Ball

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 19: A.J. Hawk #50 of the Green Bay Packers drops to recover a fumble as teammate Marquand Manuel #22 and Daniel Graham #82 of the New England Patriots chases down the play on November 19, 2006 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisco

Super Bowls and other big games are often decided by whoever takes care of the ball. Last year's Super Bowl could have been won by the Colts had Manning not thrown a late game interception.

If this Super Bowl is decided by turnovers, the Green Bay Packers will be in good shape.

Over the course of the regular season they had a plus 11 turnover ratio. In three playoff games they are on track with only three turnovers and six takeaways. 

8. James Starks

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Running back James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball 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)

In a season where the Packers were without a feature back, James Starks has stepped up at a critical time. 

While he is no Ryan Grant, the sixth round draft pick out of Buffalo is slowly making a name for himself.

Having been on the practice squad for much of the season, Starks will have fresh legs heading into Sunday's game. 

Look for him to continue his solid playoff performance and give Green Bay a second dimension to their offense.

7. Defense

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a defensive stop 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)

The Packer's defense has been as good as any thus far in the playoffs.

While the Steelers are known for their defensive play, the Packer's recent performances are more of a surprise.

Shutting down NFL starlet Michael Vick and Mr. Consistency, Matt Ryan is no easy task and the Packer's defense did it with ease.

Thanks to some key interceptions from Tramon Williams, and a stout run defense, the Packers find themselves in the Super Bowl. 

Look out for the potential of the Packer's defense outshining their Steeler counterparts. 

6. Maurkice Pouncey Injury

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is helped off of the field after being injured in the first quarter against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsbu

No team ever hopes for their opponents to get injured.

That being said, the injury to Maurkice Pouncey is huge for the Green Bay Packers. 

Pouncey is the only center on the Steeler's roster that has the ability to keep B.J. Raji in check.  With him out, it will be a struggle to keep Radji out of the backfield.

This setback for the Steeler's will definitely hurt their run game, and may even get their quarterback sacked a time or two.

5. Clay Matthews Vs. Ben Roethlisberger

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a sack against the Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelp

Clay Matthews will be a thorn in Big Ben's side all game long. 

Matthews has the speed and strength to track down and sack Roethlisberger who makes a living off of extending plays.

If Matthews gets into the backfield, look for his ability to wrap up Big Ben and a Super Bowl victory for the Green Bay Packers.

4. Receiving Core

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Wide receivers Greg Jennings #85, Donald Driver #80 and Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers on their sideline agains tthe Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois

The Packer's receiving core of Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jordy Nelson are sure to challenge Troy Polamalu and the rest of the Steeler's secondary.

Jennings and Driver will get the majority of looks from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He will get them the ball and it is up to them to catch it. 

If the Packers can stretch the Steeler's defense with a solid aerial attack, they should be able to put up plenty of points. 

3. Aaron 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)

All the pressure will be on Rodgers come Sunday night. If he can lead his team to victory, he will forever be out from under the shadow of Brett Favre.

Rodgers has been putting up solid numbers all post-season, averaging 251 yards per game with six touchdowns.

Troy Polamalu and the rest of the Steeler's defense will be his greatest challenge yet. 

However, Rodgers has twice in the last five games, led his team past a Chicago defense that on par with the Steelers.

While he may not put up the biggest numbers of his season, he will put points on the board and find a way to win.

2. Packers are the Newcomers

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: John Kuhn #30 and Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers pose for a picture taken by Aaron Rodgers #12 as they celebrate the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears after the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on Ja

For many of the Packers, this will be their first Super Bowl. Normally, that would be something to worry about, but when facing a team that has won it twice in the last five years, there is the question of who wants it more.

Clearly the Steelers will want it, but will Roethlisberger be as hungry for his third title as Rodgers will be to get his first? 

The Packer's sheer desire will overcome the Steeler's experience and earn them a victory in Super Bowl XLV. 

1. Because Brett Favre Said So

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - MARCH 06: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers announces his retirement at a press conference on March 6, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Brett Favre is on the record saying that he expects the Packers to win, and that he will be rooting for them come Sunday.

If Favre says he expects his old team to win, I have a feeling it's for a good reason. 

Chalk this one up as a sure thing.