Super Bowl XLV Prediction & Breakdown: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
This highly anticipated Super Bowl matchup is all any NFL fan could want.
Two of the most popular franchises, both rich in football history, will duke it out on the turf the night of Feb. 6, 2011, in Dallas.
It is sure to be an exciting contest, with playmakers like Clay Matthews and Troy Polamalu going head to head as well as successful, young quarterbacks in Rodgers and Roethlisberger.
The game could go either way as both teams are the league's best and both deserve to play on the NFL's biggest stage. Here are my predictions for what should be a great game to watch.
Roethlisberger vs. Rodgers
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Both quarterbacks are in their late twenties, but one is playing in his third Super Bowl where the other will be on the big stage for the first time.
Roethlisberger may have the experience, but he hasn't played well in the Steelers' two Super Bowl wins. His passer rating in his first championship was 22.6, a record low for a winning QB in the Super Bowl.
Rodgers has played well in the playoffs, but will have to overcome newbie nerves in order to win the big one. However, I don't think butterflies will faze him.
The two are very similar in their playmaking ability because they both embody spectacular pocket skills. Defenders have trouble tackling Big Ben because of his size, 240 lbs, and pocket presence, while Rodgers can slip out of sure sack situations because of his footwork and athleticism.
Roethlisberger may not be as skilled at the position as his counterpart, but he makes big plays when necessary. Rodgers can make every throw in the game, even while on the run, and rarely throws interceptions in the red zone or at crucial moments of the game.
The Packers pass rush will get to Big Ben throughout the game from all angles, but will not always be able to bring him down. The Steelers blitz will have Rodgers running, but I believe he will be able to find his targets early enough to be able to move the ball efficiently.
Roethlisberger will have to play his best football to keep his passes out of the hands of the likes of up-and-coming Tramon Williams, rookie Sam Shields, and pro bowlers Nick Collins and Charles Woodson.
Rodgers must be aware of the lurking Troy Polamalu and his ability to close in on receivers. If he isn't he may be forced to make another touchdown saving tackle in this one.
Prediction: Aaron Rodgers 298 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Ben Roethlisberger 246 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INT
Rashard Mendenhall vs. James Starks and Friends
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Rashard Mendenhall was not with the team in their previous Super Bowl victories and will be running hard for the ring he's seen on the fingers of his teammates.
He'll be going up against a tough Packers' front seven anchored by 337 lb. sophomore B.J. Raji. If he happens to barrel past Raji and company, he'll have to deal with the long-haired duo of A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews.
Mendenhall will have the best opportunities when he can get in behind the Packers' blitz and Matthews and Hawk drop back in coverage. Pittsburgh's offensive line will hold up fairly well even if C Maurkice Pouncey is unable to play, which is highly likely. Mendenhall will have one big run on the day.
The Packers weakest link coming to Dallas is their running game. Rookie James Starks will have a tough time getting started against the fiesty 3-4 of Pittsburgh, and rookie RT Bryan Bulaga is bound to draw a few penalties for holding whoever Dick Lebeau sends his way.
Chad Clifton will be essential to the success of Green Bay's offensive line.
Starks will have a tough day, and the Packers will be forced to move the ball through the air, which they will do, HB Brandon Jackson will not be a threat on the ground, and the Steelers' speed should corral him should he get his hands on a pass.
However, fan favorite John Kuhn will find a way to get into the end zone and his name will resound in Jerry Jones' palace.
Prediction: James Starks 14 carries, 46 yards
John Kuhn 5 carries, 15 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 8 yards
Rashard Mendenhall 18 carries, 81 yards 1 TD
Rodger's Receivers vs. Big Ben's Boys
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Greg Jennings is a pro at getting open, making the catch and getting the ball up the field afterward. The Steelers' secondary will have its hands full, not with interceptions, but with the talented receiving corps of the Packers.
Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver and James Jones are all excellent wide outs and any one of them can break out for a big TD reception. Driver will reel in a crucial fourth-quarter pass and Jones will redeem himself from multiple drops in the season with an early touchdown.
Jennings will be the leading receiver in the game, but Steelers' TE Heath Miller will have a solid performance as well. Hines Ward and Mike Wallace will disappear in this one as Packers cornerback Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams hold them to a combined five catches.
Prediction: Greg Jennings 98 yards, 1 TD
James Jones 74 yards, 1 TD
Heath Miller 67 yards, 2 TD
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Packers' Punting and Kicking vs. Steelers Special Teams
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Steelers' kicker Shaun Suisham will fail to put his lone attempt through the uprights, while the Packers' Mason Crosby will nail a chip shot, the game's only field goal.
Packers' punter Tim Masthay will continue his solid play into the Super Bowl, and the Pack will win the field postion battle.
However, the Steelers will get one big return on a kickoff that will lead to a touchdown.
Prediction: Mason Crosby 1/1 39 yards
Shaun Suisham 0/1 48 yards
Dom Caper's Crew vs. Dick Lebeau's Lackeys
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The top two defensive players. The top two most famous heads of hair.
The Steelers and Packers have equal amounts of star power on the defensive side of the ball, most notably DPOY candidates Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews.
Clay Matthews will come up with a sack and several important tackles, but Polamalu will pick off Rodgers on the Packers' first drive as well as force a James Starks' fumble late in the half.
Even though Polamalu will prove his worth as DPOY, the Packers secondary will prove superior. Tramon Williams will steal a deep ball to Mike Wallace, although veteran Charles Woodson will prove to be the hero.
Woodson's fourth quarter interception return for a TD will be the last points scored in the game.
Prediction: Troy Polamalu 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF
James Harrison 7 tackles, 1 sack
Clay Matthews 6 tackles, 1 sack
Tramon Williams 4 tackles, 1 INT
Charles Woodson 6 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD
Final Prediction
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The Green Bay Packers will win Super Bowl XLV. Aaron Rodgers will tie Brett Favre in Super Bowl wins, and veterans Donald Driver and Charles Woodson will finally win the big one.
The Steelers will be denied their seventh championship, and we won't have to watch Mendenhall assault Big Ben after a kneel down on national TV for a second time. Cheeseheads across the nation will celebrate the homecoming of the Lombardi Trophy.
Prediction: 31-21
MVP: Charles Woodson
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