Super Bowl XLV: Why Green Bay Packers Could Beat Pittsburgh Steelers

On paper, Green Bay and Pittsburgh look essentially equal, and to see Pittsburgh come into the game as the underdogs simple doesn't make much sense.

The media loves to spin every game with an underdog story, and just like dogs, we eat it up the nonsense they feed us and just leaves wanting to watch the game more.

But let's face it, nobody's an underdog here. Pittsburgh has the best defense in the league, but Green Bay has a receiver corps that can match any defense in the league. Pittsburgh has Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Heath Miller and Rashard Mendenall. A rather "solid" Group if you will. But Green Bay has all the players to match up with them.

If there is an underdog here, it's the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay comes into the game with a 10-6 record, and as the sixth seed in the NFC. Pittsburgh comes into the game with a 12-4 record, as the second seed in the AFC, and full of veterans players loaded with Super Bowl experience.

The Super is really anyone's game, the 2007 Super Bowl is evidence of that. But even in the regular season, these two team's would match-up quite well.

Despite the rather remarkable similarities, there a multitude of reasons of not how, but why Green Bay can beat Pittsburgh come Super Bowl XLV.

Tim Masthay

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Tim Masthay #8 of the Green Bay Packers punts the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

There is nobody in my right mind that deserves more credit than Green Bay's Punter Tim Masthay.

Green Bay's new-found running back, James Starks, appears to have sparked back to life what was essentially a dead run game that never jump-started during the regular season.

That fact has done it's part in hiding what has become Green Bay's new-found special teams star.

Tim was taken by the Green Bay Packers because of his tremendous leg strength, and he learned a few things from another Punter by the name of Chris Bryant, (originally an Australian football player).

The Indianapolis Colts had dropped him the season before and was cut before the season began. There can be no doubt that the organization is starting to seriously second-guess their decision to drop him from the team.

James Starks deserves all the credit for making Green Bay's offense all that more dangerous, considering he's added balance to an offense that already holds the game's best receiver corps.

Tim Masthay deserves all the credit for effectively containing the most feared return man in NFL history, Devin Hester.

Any comparison? I think not.

Come Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers could very well learn why Green Bay dropped Jeremy Kapinos, and moved onto Tim Masthay.

James Starks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Running back James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This is an easy one, and quite frankly, it's too obvious a reason to point out. Not only does Pittsburgh hold beyond any reasonable doubt, the games best rush defense, but also because this isn't exactly "new information", if you will.

James Starks has already made a lot of headlines, and the Steelers will be more than ready for him. I'm certain of that.

However, there is one small factor that he brings even if has a bad day against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He brings a run game that the Steelers actually have to prepare for.

If Brandon Jackson were still our starting running back, Pittsburgh would likely spend all their practice time on how they are effectively going to stop Aaron Rodgers' passing attack, and how to pressure him.

But with James Starks now in the mix, it could mean that Pittsburgh will spend more time preparing to stop him, and less on how they're going to effectively contain Aaron Rodgers.

Even if it's only a 10 percent difference of practice for the the Pittsburgh Steelers to focus on, that fact alone could be all the difference in the game.

Last Year's Game

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs for a touchdown as Jarrett Bush #24 of the Green Bay Packers attempts to tackle in the first quarter during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvani

In last year's contest between these two teams, it was a complete shoot-out of which turned out to be one of 2009's greatest games.

In that contest, there was no Sam Shields or Troy Palumalu, but this time around, Santonio Holmes and Jermichael Finley will be missing.

Based on those match-ups of that game, there is little to no chance Ben Roethlisberger will be able to have a great day in the air, let alone pass for 500 yards again.

Aaron Rodgers will also have to be more careful in this game, considering he does not have his stud Tight End in Jermichael Finley, and Troy Palumalu will be back there watching his every move.

However, I believe that the match-ups that Green Bay has against Pittsburgh's defense heavily out-favors Pittsburgh's match-up with Green Bay's secondary.

Watching last year's game, it's difficult to not-notice that Big Ben attacked Josh Bell and Jarret Bush nearly the entire game, two players of which have been firmly replaced by Sam Shields.

Tramon Williams was the third corner of the team, so to see him have the starting role in that game had him unfamiliar with the scheme. This season however, he's become a pro-bowl cornerback, and even leads the team in interceptions, including two that essentially sealed Green Bay's victory's against the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles.

With Charles Woodson most likely covering Hines Ward, and Sam Shields with his ability to match Mike Wallace's speed, there can be no doubt that Green Bay will be able to match-up easily with Pittsburgh's passing game.

Aaron Rodgers will still have to keep an eye out for Troy Palumalu, especially without Jermichael Finely. But it's important to not forget that he still has the game's best group of receivers.

Center Maurkice Pouncey

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: B.J. Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers reacts with teammate Sam Shields #37 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 F

No one should buy into the hooplah Clay Matthews III is only guy that can effectively bring down Ben Roethlisberger. While he is arguably our best option at rushing him and bringing him down, it's a complete stretch to say that he is our only real option.

Enter B.J. Raji, "The Freezer", who could have a field day with back-up Doug Legursky.

B.J. Raji began to show up huge late in the season, especially with his new-found ability to rush the passer from directly right up the middle.

With the offensive line already as bad as it is with their pro-bowl Center, it's going to be very difficult in containing the both of them in this game.

Before any Steelers fan can complain about this match-up and how it could potentially change the tide of the game, they need to first understand that it's the Green Bay Packers who have already sent 16 players to Injured Reserve.

If B.J. Raji gets fives sacks in the game, it will still be a fair game.