Super Bowl 2011: 5 Predictions for Packers vs. Steelers in Super Bowl XLV

The unofficial holiday that is Super Bowl Sunday is making its annual appearance on Feb. 6 in Dallas in what promises to be a thrilling game.

The Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers are extremely similar teams, and neither one has a definite edge over the other. They also boast rosters that have solid players at nearly every position: two of the NFL's best quarterbacks, top-notch defenses, play-making wide-receivers, above-average special teams and solid running attacks, along with good coaching and discipline.

It is hard to find a flaw in either team, which is what fans want in the Super Bowl contestants.

So, as we anticipate the biggest game of the year, here are five predictions for what we'll see on Sunday...

Troy Polamalu Will Have a Big Game

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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

This might seem like an odd prediction given that Polamalu is not completely healthy and because he was fairly quiet in the AFC Championship, but he was named Defensive Player of the Year for a reason.

Throughout his career, Polamalu has been one of the best defenders—let alone safeties—in the NFL, and he might be the biggest reason why the Steelers have two rings in the last five years and are in prime position for a third.

Polamalu hasn't had the most eye-popping Super Bowl stats or made game-changing plays, but his hustle, hitting ability and overall presence were just as important as plays like James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII.

Without Polamalu, there's a very good chance the Steelers don't win their past two titles.

"Troy brings this defense from a 'C' defense to an 'A' defense. He's someone that you have to account for in the secondary," Harrison told the Associated Press.

Quarterbacks have to know where the wild-haired one is at all times, which allows his other teammates to make plays.

Polamalu might not put up Super Bowl MVP-type numbers, but his presence will undoubtedly be felt. Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers' O will not be TP fans by the end of Sunday's game.

The Packers' D Will Have Its Way with the Steelers' O-Line

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: The defense of the Green Bay Packers celebrate a play against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

It would be very surprising if the Steelers' offensive line even manages to contain the Packers' defensive line and blitzing linebackers/secondary. Even before the AFC Championship Game Pittsburgh's O-line was banged up, and now it's likely rookie center Maurkice Pouncey will be out for the Super Bowl.

It has gotten to the point where if another lineman gets injured, the Steelers might have to use a tight end or fullback to play on the line. At the very best, a practice squad lineman will get called into the game if a starter gets hurt.

Green Bay's defense couldn't ask for a better scenario. BJ Raji and Cullen Jenkins are tough matchups for any offensive lineman, especially backups like Pittsburgh has. Combine Raji's and Jenkins' presences with linebackers Clay Matthews and AJ Hawk, along with possible secondary blitzes, and the Steelers' O-linemen will be in for a long day.

The Packers do have to worry about the scrambling ability of Ben Roethlisberger, but going up against an O-line so depleted will give them a significant edge.

A-Rodge Will Have Bigger Stats, but Big Ben Will Make Bigger Plays

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers speaks during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay

Those who wanted to see good quarterback play over anything else in the Super Bowl were very happy with the results of the conference championship games two weekends ago (Mark Sanchez and Jay Cutler going against the Bears' and Jets' defenses, respectively, would have been painful to watch).

Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger are considered two of the NFL's top quarterbacks, and it's hard to say who's more valuable to his team. Rodgers is looking for his first Super Bowl title, while Big Ben is hoping to join the elite group of Bradshaw, Montana, Aikman and Brady as QBs who have won three or more championships.

As good as Rodgers and Roethlisberger are, I doubt that either one of them will (literally or figuratively) light Cowboy Stadium on fire this Sunday. Rodgers is very mentally tough, but it will be nearly impossible for him not to feel any Super Bowl pressure, especially since this is his first SB.

On Sunday he'll probably settle down pretty quickly, but expect him to make a couple poor decisions, especially if the Steelers bring a heavy pass rush. I expect his stats to look something like this: between 250-300 passing yards with two touchdowns and two turnovers.

It is unlikely Roethlisburger will feel the same amount of mental pressure that Rodgers will have because this is his third Super Bowl; however, as I predicted in the previous slide, he'll still feel pressure...from the Packers' defense.

Big Ben is known for escaping would-be sacks and making plays on the run, but he'll be forced out of the pocket much more than he's used to in this game. Expect him to throw for about 200-250 yards with one TD and a couple turnovers, but also expect him to make some big plays while being pressured, on third down, or with not much time left.

In his previous two Super Bowls his stats weren't great, but he made plays when they mattered. Don't expect this game to be any different.

The Running Backs Will Play Larger Roles Than Expected

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball 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

One of the weakest but also most underrated positions on each team is at running back. Everyone knows Rodgers and Roethlisberger, but not many casual fans have heard of Rashard Mendenhall or James Starks.

Mendenhall has put up some solid numbers over the past two regular seasons (1,000-plus yards both seasons and 20 combined TDs), and yet he has still gone under the radar. On a team that is known for its defense and a quarterback who is excellent on the field and controversial off it, it's easy to see why Mendenhall gets forgotten.

It is also likely that people forget he rushed for 121 yards and a TD in the AFC Championship while playing with a battered O-line against a tough Jets defense. I'm not saying he will put up those types of numbers on Sunday, but he could be a difference-maker for the Steelers offense and make it a balanced attack.

The rookie Starks' regular-season numbers aren't remotely close to Mendenhall's, but his postseason numbers are actually better. Mendenhall does have more touchdowns, but Starks' rushing yards per attempt are higher, and he has almost 100 more total rushing yards—though he has played in one more game than Mendenhall.

In all three playoff games, Starks has rushed for more than 65 yards, including 123 yards in the Packers' first-round win over the Eagles. He is going up against one of the best defenses in the NFL this Sunday, but, like Mendenhall, his QB is the defense's primary concern—in other words, he should have plenty of running room. Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn might also have an impact, but expect Starks to carry most of the load and do it effectively.

Super Bowl XLV Champs: The Pittsburgh Steelers

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Steelers won 27-23 against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadiu

The cliché that "experience" is key in big games is extremely overused and is not all that true (ex: Giants 17, Patriots 14 in Super Bowl XLII), so experience is not one of the reasons why I'm picking the Steelers.

The "real" reasons? Their defense is a little better than the Packers'; they have a clutch QB who never seems to make costly mistakes and has a knack for playing his best football when his team needs him to; although James Starks is underrated, Rashard Mendenhall is better; and on top of that, the Steelers have a superior coaching staff.

To be honest, I could see this game going either way. Both teams are good, and neither one has a clear edge on one side of the ball or at one position. It should be low-scoring, hard-hitting and close until the end. Recently, it seems that the Steelers always play in games where they aren't given a great chance to win or where a loss wouldn't be surprising, but they always seem to come away with a victory.

The Packers are the Super Bowl favorites, but the Steelers will somehow, someway find a way to win.