Super Bowl 2011: The 7 Most Intriguing Matchups to Watch on Sunday

Now that it is officially Super Bowl week, we can start to get really excited for the game on Sunday. The matchup will be great as the combatants are two of the most storied franchises in NHL history. Both defenses are tough and the offenses are explosive.

Now that we are close, it is time to start analyzing the matchups that will be the most intriguing to watch.

This list is of the best matchups to watch at the Super Bowl.

Enjoy!

7. Sam Shields and Tramon Williams vs. Mike Wallace

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Sam Shields #37 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts the game's final pass and runs for 32-yards to seal the 21-14 victory for the Packers against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 201

Mike Wallace is one of the fastest receivers in the league and his speed could be a problem for the Packers.  His current postseason hasn’t been great, but that's because the Steelers haven’t had to pass much.

Tramon Williams and Sam Shields will be platooning against Mike Wallace and they will need to play solid.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have succeeded this postseason on their strong defense and run game, and if they are forced to beat the Packers through the air, I don’t know if they can.

Big Ben is the definition of clutch, but the Packers secondary is damn good. Something has to give.

6. Greg Jennings vs. Bryant McFadden

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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 will be a huge factor in the outcome of Sunday’s game and it’s up to Bryant McFadden to try to stop him.

Jennings has played great this postseason, leading the league in receptions (17) and yards (239).

McFadden has helped stifle Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense as well as Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense.

Both players are playing well and it will be great to see who comes to play on the biggest stage in the NFL.

5. Charles Woodson vs. Hines Ward

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers climbs into the stands to celebrate with fans after their 24 to 19 win over the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Penns

Charles Woodson vs. Hines Ward may be my favorite matchup of the whole game. 

Both of these players are seasoned veterans and willing to do whatever it takes to win. 

If a fight breaks out, you can bet these two will be in the middle.  Not because of hate, but both players are aggressive and passionate and that is a volatile mix.

Ward has been shut down this postseason, but that is as much a testament to the Steelers run game as it is the opposition's pass coverage.

Woodson has been good this postseason, but has been overshadowed by his secondary teammates Shields and Williams.

4. Clay Matthews vs. Big Ben

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Linebacker Clay Matthews #52 and Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers sack quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Ill

Clay Matthews is one of the most ferocious defenders in the league and he will be attacking one of the toughest quarterbacks in the NFL today in Ben Roethlisberger.

Big Ben is so strong and agile that he will get out of tackles that 90 percent of the other quarterbacks in the league would fall to.

Matthews isn’t an ordinary tackler.  If he can break the line and get a good shot on Big Ben, he could force him out of the game.

Odds are he won’t get a clean hit, but if Matthews can get a piece of Big Ben, it will be interesting to see whether or not Ben goes down.

3. Aaron Rodgers vs. James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 31: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2010 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 31, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Doug

The Green Bay secondary against Aaron Rodgers is a good matchup, but the better matchup will be the Steelers outside linebackers against Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers has been the best quarterback this year in the playoffs but the line has been sketchy at times.

James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley are hungry to make their mark and they thrive on big-game situations like this.

If Harrison can turn a corner to get loose at Aaron Rodgers, he will punish Rodgers with no regard for fines.

2. B.J. Raji vs. Doug Legursky

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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

B.J. Raji may be known for his dancing abilities, but he is much more than that.

The Green Bay Packers' 3-4 defense starts with the nose tackle.  B.J. Raji is the anchor of their defense and one of the most powerful nose tackles in the game.

Raji will be lined up on Steelers center Doug Legursky.

Legursky is a versatile offensive lineman who has played every position on the Steelers line.  He will be starting at center because of the injury to starting center Maurkice Pouncey.

The game could be won and lost in the trenches, and the matchup of Raji and Legursky could be the best of them all.

1. Mike Tomlin vs. Mike McCarthy

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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

Experience against novice.

Mike Tomlin against Mike McCarthy.

This is the most intriguing matchup of the game and the strength of both coaches lies in their staffs.

Dick LeBeau worked with Dom Capers while Capers was the defensive coordinator with the Steelers.  Now Capers tries to defeat his friend and cohort in a classic smash-mouth battle.

The real battle will be between the head coaches and the defensive coordinators.  Both coaches run their offenses, so this game will be a big-time coaching matchup.