Super Bowl 2011: Green Bay Packers-Pittsburgh Steelers a Thriller for the Ages

February 7th, 2011—In the last decade, the world has had the privilege to witness some of the greatest finishes in Super Bowl history.  

Adam Vinatieri kicked two game-winning field goals for the New England Patriots in the final seconds, one against the St. Louis Rams and the other against the Carolina Panthers. David Tyree's unbelievable one-handed catch set up Plaxico Burress and the New York Giants' game-winning touchdown in the miracle upset against the Patriots.  Of course, the most recent nail biter was the Pittsburgh Steelers' Santonio Holmes' tip-toe, game-winning catch against the Arizona Cardinals.

Last night, yet another storybook ending was written:

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The Pittsburgh Steelers exploded out of the starting gate.  After a seven-yard Rashard Mendenhall run, Ben Roethlisberger hit Mike Wallace on an out and up for a 68-yard touchdown pass as Tramon Williams bit on a Roethlisberger pump fake.

Early in the second quarter, an Antonio Brown 18-yard punt return set up Shaun Suisham for a field goal attempt who nailed it to give Pittsburgh a 10-0 lead.

The Packers were able to move the ball, but were halted yet again.  Punter Tim Masthay responded with the punt of his life as the Packers downed the football on the Steelers 6-yard line.

A Mendenhall first down run was stuffed in the backfield for a two-yard loss.  The next play, Ben Roethlisberger was able to break a Frank Zombo tackle in the end zone and just got the pass off to avoid a Clay Matthews safety.  The Green Bay sideline erupted as they begged the referees for an intentional grounded call, but to no avail.

The Packers held their ground and forced the Steelers to punt.  A poor boot by Jeremy Kapinos set Green Bay up with the best starting field position they had all game.

After moving the ball inside the Pittsburgh 30, a Lamar Woodley sack on 3rd-and-2 forced Mike McCarthy to send on Mason Crosby, who split the uprights to bring the Packers within a touchdown heading into halftime.

Each team traded field goals to start the second half.  After another Packers punt, the Steelers were able to move the ball into Green Bay territory after clutch Hines Ward and Heath Miller grabs on third down.

At 13-6, a score for the Steelers would put the Packers down two scores, while still lacking the confidence they could punch the ball in the end zone.  Just inside the 40-yard line, Pittsburgh needed just a few more yards to get in Suisham's range.  

On second down, Ramone Foster was unable to pick up a Clay Matthews stunt who wrestled Roethlisberger to the turf.  Refusing to play it safe, Bruce Arians elected to throw for the first down.  Wallace was Roethlisberger's target once again, but this time on the vertical route, Tramon Williams played the ball perfectly and came down with the interception in the end zone.

All of a sudden, the Packers finally had some momentum.  Aaron Rodgers led the Packers offense to a long 13-play drive, which ended with a Donald Driver touchdown catch in the back of the end zone.

After the kickoff, the quarter ended with the score 13-13.  With one quarter remaining, two of the most winning franchises in NFL history were set to add to that history.  

One was led by a two-time Super Bowl champion known for his clutch ability.  The other was led by a quarterback labeled the successor to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady's throne as the most talented passer in the league.

To start the fourth, Roethlisberger lived up to his "closer" label and flawlessly executed a long touchdown drive.  He wouldn't be brought down as time after time he managed to evade the rush and find open receivers for key conversions.  A Mendenhall second effort got him over the goal line to give Pittsburgh a 20-13 lead.

It was up to the heir apparent to respond.  A Greg Jennings skinny post got the Packers into Steelers territory right away.  On 3rd-and-1, Mike McCarthy called a running play, which in hindsight was questionable with Rodgers under center.

James Starks was stood up in a once open running lane by Troy Polamalu.  Starks was ruled down at the 38-yard line which would set up Mason Crosby for a long 55-yard field goal try.  

A miss would give the Steelers excellent field position and the opportunity to make it a two-score game.  The Packers knew they didn't get to the Super Bowl by playing it safe and sent on the field goal unit.  Crosby just squeezed the ball inside the left upright to put the Packers within four.

If the Steelers could put together a long touchdown drive, there wouldn't be enough time left for the Packers to score twice.  Mendenhall put the team on his back ripping off four-yard gains every time he touched the football.  Green Bay was able to halt the Steelers long drive and force them to kick a field goal.   

Pittsburgh wound 6:34 off the game clock, leaving the Packers with 2:21 left in the game.  That's too much time to give Aaron Rogers.  After the two-minute warning, Green Bay converted a huge 3rd-and-6 to keep the drive alive as Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson on an out route.

Driver and James Jones came up with key conversions on the drive which came to the 23-yard line of the Steelers with under a minute to go.  Arguably the biggest mistake of the game for the Steelers, Bryant McFadden was left one-on-one with Greg Jennings on the outside.  On a 2nd-and-8, Rodgers hit Jennings in the corner of the end zone on post corner route that left McFadden wanting to get away.

As Jennings handed the ball to the referee, the camera showed Mike McCarthy holding up two fingers; the Packers were going for a win.  The Packers quickly lined up while the Steelers scrambled to get into the right position.

I-formation, play-action to Starks, Rodgers pump faked to Andrew Quarless on the tight end pop pass.  He then calmly hit a wide open John Kuhn in the flat, who went unnoticed after a delayed release.

After a Super Bowl where Sean Payton had the call of the century with his onside kick coming out of halftime, the Packers gutsy two-point conversion equaled the play's heroics.  Giving the ball to Ben Roethlisberger with over a minute to play, though, may negate the premature celebration.

The cameras flashed faster and brighter than ever as the final kickoff of Super Bowl XLV played out.

There wasn't a passing play where Roethlisberger found a target on a traditional route, but he continued to buy time and find an open receiver.  Despite being able to move the ball, the Packers were able to keep the Steelers in bounds multiple times, which quickly evaporated the play clock.

The game came down to a 4th-and-3 with six seconds remaining on the Packers 37 with no timeouts.  The ball was just outside Suisham's career long and there wasn't enough time to call a quick play to the outside.  A Hail Mary was the only option.

Roethlisberger took a deep drop.

B.J. Raji collapsed the pocket, forcing Roethlisberger to roll to the right.

He heaved the ball into the end zone.

The ball tipped off of the outstretched arms of Charlie Peprah.

An aware Hines Ward was able to bat the ball back up in the air for another Steeler to get a shot at it.

Charles Woodson and Antwaan Randel El both got their hands on the football, and it was whoever wanted it more.

After a second of struggle, Woodson ripped the ball away and it flew out of the back of the end zone.  The clock expired, and the Packers were world champions.

Unfortunately, many fans who attended the game missed the second half after they got sick, threw up and had to leave after hearing, "I've got a feeling," by the Black Eyed Peas, for the one millionth time.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.