Super Bowl 2011: Pittsburgh Steelers' 5 Big Questions for Super Bowl Week

Super Bowl week is finally here. Both teams have arrived in Dallas for Super Bowl XLV, and everyone in Wisconsin and western Pennsylvania seems to be eagerly anticipating a competitive, tough game.

There are so many questions both teams must answer this week before the game is played on Sunday night in front of what is predicted to be a record in-stadium and television audience.

Here are the five biggest questions the Pittsburgh Steelers must answer as they begin their journey up the "Stairway to Seven."

1. Will Experience Matter?

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates holds up the Vince Lombardi trophy as he celebrates with his daughter Jalyn Chantelle after their 27-23 win against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February

This year's contest between Green Bay and Pittsburgh has been characterized as a battle between experience (Pittsburgh) and lack of experience (Green Bay). Pittsburgh still has 18 players from its 2005 Super Bowl roster and 36 players from its 2008 championship roster.

In comparison, Green Bay has only a handful of players who've been there before.

The Packers' lack of experience could work in their favor or could work against them. If Pittsburgh is lulled into a false sense of security given that so many players have been here before, they could get surprised.

Don't bet on that. The Pittsburgh Steelers' experience level is exactly why they have a good chance to win this game. The Steelers have maintained the attitude of business as usual so far, taking everything in stride. Green Bay has faced a lot of infighting due to concerns over, of all things, the team photo. If that squabbling is going to take over their attention, they will have a hard time being ready for a rested, prepared Pittsburgh squad.

2. Whose Injuries Matter Most?

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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

At this time of year, no team or player is completely healthy.

Once the playoffs arrive, the definition of injury becomes "can play in the game without dying, won't sit out without tranquilizers, is needed for team to have a chance."

The Steelers will be without two of their original starters and possibly three. Left tackle Max Starks has been gone for a while. Maurkice Pouncey disappeared after a Jets player inadvertently rolled up on his ankle in the AFC Championship Game. Aaron Smith is having an MRI on Wednesday to determine whether or not he can play.

The Packers have been running like an episode of M*A*S*H this year with starters missing a combined 91 games due to injury.

The question is who is more able to cope. The answer is that both teams seem able to cope very well. The loss of Pouncey is a blow to the Steelers, but Doug Legursky, like everyone else on the team, has stepped into his spot and performed well. The snap problems from the championship game will likely be remedied by two weeks of practice time, so there's little cause for concern.

This is a battle that will play out on the field and is something that bears watching as injury reports emerge and become final during the week.

3. Coaching Corner

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their game at Raymond James Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Dick LeBeau is universally recognized as the father of the zone blitz scheme. Dom Capers, the defensive coordinator for Green Bay, is a student of that scheme. He is a former Pittsburgh assistant, as is Darren Perry (defensive backs coach). Perry and Kevin Greene (linebackers coach) also played under LeBeau.

The coaching connections should prove very interesting. Both defenses are set against allowing points. They also finished first and second in scoring defense, meaning that they capitalize on turnovers.

Both coaching staffs are approaching this game in similar ways. Mike McCarthy is saying that they are preparing as if this is a regular season game (which is both doubtful and troubling when you consider the implications). Mike Tomlin is saying that things will be very much "business as usual." Tomlin is famous for his even keel, as is McCarthy.

This is one of the most evenly matched Super Bowls in years. The coaching staffs are a huge part of that. Both have been in place for a long time. Tomlin has the ring and is hungry for another. He is excellent at preparing his roster for big games, and that experience may come out now.

4. Which Quarterback Is Better Suited for the Opposing Defense?

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24 to 19. (Photo b

Ben Roethlisberger or Aaron Rodgers?

Both have a similar skill set. They're both big, highly mobile quarterbacks. Rodgers is more prone to staying in the pocket and making a play, while Roethlisberger is excellent at getting away and making plays on the move.

Both can gain yards with their feet too.

Ben has two rings. This is Rodgers' first go-around. When it comes to game plans, Roethlisberger is a nightmare to predict. He actually does better when he's blitzed and forced to ad lib.

In a battle of very evenly matched and similar teams, the individual matchups are going to dictate the game. None is more fascinating than the quarterbacks versus the opposing defenses.

In that battle, I'd take Pittsburgh simply because Roethlisberger can make plays regardless of the situation. Rodgers is excellent, but he's not there yet. He doesn't have the penchant for comebacks, for big plays in big situations or for being able to make something big out of nothing.

This is Aaron Rodgers' chance to show he is that big game quarterback. It's Ben Roethlisberger's chance to show he's Canton material. If he wins another Super Bowl before his 30th birthday, he's going to be not only elite, but headed for a bust in the Hall of Fame as well.

5. Who Has the Edge?

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: A view of Cowboys Stadium with snow on the roof before Super Bowl XLV media day on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas area was hit with winter weather late yesterday evening causing road and school closures in

So who has the edge in a battle between evenly matched teams?

Vegas says it's the Packers. The line has flexed a little, but the Packers are consistent favorites.

The press is all over the place, so it's probably fair to say they are evenly split.

The fans? Obviously they're fully backing their hometown team.

Pittsburgh has the experience. Green Bay has the youthful exuberance.

Green Bay has a better offensive line. Pittsburgh has a better quarterback.

There's no clear advantage yet. That will be decided on the field and from what snippets of information teams let out during the week.

What's my pick? Pittsburgh 28-16.

It's going to be VERY interesting. That much is certain.