Super Bowl 2011: Green Bay Packers Could Learn From the New England Patriots

Back in Week 15, the Green Bay Packers lost to the New England Patriots and dropped to 8-6 on the season. 

While the loss put the Packers on the brink of playoff elimination, it turned out to be a springboard for Green Bay's success in the next two games and into their Super Bowl run. 

In Week 10, the Patriots also beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, the other Super Bowl participant, 39-26. 

The Steelers obviously rebounded from the loss, and went 8-2 in their last 10 games (including playoffs). 

With that said, the Packers can take a lot from both their loss to the Patriots, and how New England dismantled the Steelers' defense. 

I sat down with Patriots featured columnist Erik Frenz to help break down the Super Bowl.

Tom Brady vs. Steelers Defense

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots calls out signals during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

ZK: The 39 points the New England Patriots scored against the Steelers were far and away the most Pittsburgh gave up all season, and quarterback Tom Brady was the biggest reason for that (30-of-43 for 350 and three touchdowns).

How was Brady so effective against the Steelers' defense?

EF: The Steelers defense plays vertically, but the Patriots were able to force them out of their comfort zone by spreading it out and forcing them to play horizontally instead.

Anytime Pittsburgh blitzed Brady, it was a quick throw that beat the rush and exposed whatever weakness was to be found in the secondary. 

Patriots Defense vs. Ben Roethlisberger

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the New England Patriots during the game on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

ZK: Ben Roethlisberger finished with 387 yards and three touchdowns, but it was clear the Patriots' defense did an admirable job at stopping the Steelers through the air.

What were some of the things the Patriots did that slowed Roethlisberger and the passing game?

EF: Aside from Hines Ward leaving the game early, the Patriots defense got after Ben Roethlisberger by taking advantage of their injury-depleted offensive line.

The Packers feature one of the most fearsome front sevens in football, so they will probably use a similar approach.

The absence of center Maurkice Pouncey further disturbs the continuity of Pittsburgh's offensive line, and nose tackle BJ Raji could very well take over the game and cause a lot of problems for Pittsburgh offensively.

Packers Passing vs. Steelers Pass Defense

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Matt Flynn #10 of the Green Bay Packers reacts during the second quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 31-

ZK: The Patriots were lucky enough to face Matt Flynn while Aaron Rodgers was recovering from a concussion earlier this season.

What were some things you saw from the Packers' passing attack—even without Rodgers—that gives Green Bay a chance at replicating the success of Brady against the Steelers' defense?

EF: When the Packers came to Gillette Stadium, Matt Flynn did a lot of dinking and dunking his way up the field, using their backs in the short passing game to create yards after the catch.

That's also what Brady was able to do to the Steelers. The Steelers want to play aggressive on defense, but if you force them out of their comfort zone, they're much easier to handle.

Also, like Brady, Aaron Rodgers loves getting everyone involved, making the defense respect all the options in the passing game. I imagine Rodgers has spent a lot of time dissecting film of what Brady was able to do to Pittsburgh. 

Packers Defense vs. Patriots Offense

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez #85 (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2

ZK: Enough about the Steelers' defense. While Brady eventually got the best of them in the fourth quarter, Green Bay held New England to just 249 yards. 

What were some of the things that impressed you about the Packers' defense? Is this defense in the same category as Pittsburgh's?

EF: The Packers and Steelers are similar defensively. Both employ a zone blitz scheme, and in so doing are able to confuse the quarterback both with their blitz and their coverage packages.

The one thing that impressed me the most was their ability to keep the Patriots off the field. It didn't do them much good, as they gave up 24 points of offense to the Patriots in under 20 minutes of possession. With the Patriots, it was about keeping the offense off the field.

With the Steelers, it will be about keeping the defense on the field. I'm not expecting the Packers to run the ball often against the Steelers' top-ranked rush defense, but they will definitely be playing with possession in mind, be it in the running or passing game.

Wearing out the guys up front will create bigger holes in the running game and more time for Rodgers in the pocket.

Patriots Prediction

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 02: The Vince Lombardi Trophy is displayed on radio row on February 2, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Ph

ZK: You've seen both the Packers and Steelers, and your Patriots beat them both. Now's the time to put you on the spot: who wins the Super Bowl and why?

EF: On a streak of five win-or-go-home games against some of the leagues best teams (New York Giants, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago), the Packers are no strangers to the big hype and yet they haven't missed a beat.

The Steelers, however, nearly coughed up a 24-point home lead to the Jets, who are notoriously terrible when playing from behind.

If the Packers offense is able to jump out to an early lead (which they should), expect it to be a long day for the Steelers, but one that will ultimately end in a three-point loss to the Packers.

27-24 Green Bay.

Reaction

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 02: A Super Bowl XLV banner is displayed downtown on February 2, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by

If you're a Packers' fan, you can't help but like Erik's prediction. However, he brings up a lot of key points about the Super Bowl as well. 

First, he's right on about the Packers and spreading out the Steelers. Quick, short throws against the blitz have the ability to neutralize the NFL's No. 1 pass rush.

Second, the Packers need to attack the Steelers interior offensive line. If Maurkice Pouncey is out, and he's expected to be, Raji and blitzes up the middle could create havoc for the Steelers in both the run and pass game. 

Lastly, you can say all you want about the Steelers' Super Bowl experience, but you can't discount the Packers' five elimination games during their run either. It's a different kind of experience, but at the end of the day, this is just another football game once they kick it off. 

Finally, thanks to Erik for helping us break down the Super Bowl from an outsiders perspective. Be sure to check out both his bleacher report profile and NFL website.

Be sure to follow Zach and Erik on Twitter as well.