Super Bowl 2011: Power Ranking the 10 Most Important Players in This Years Game

The Super Bowl is almost upon us and there has been a lot of chatter around the Internet as to who needs to do what to win and which players need to step up. A wise man I know once said that there are times when people can make the transition from ordinary to extraordinary. The Super Bowl is one of those opportunities.

The game is going to be full of great players who will need to play well, but some are going to be more important than others. With that said, here's a list of the 10 most important players in this years game. 

No. 10. Donald Driver

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he made a reception against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21

Sure he's one of the better players on the Packers and some might think that he should be higher on this list, but this is where he belongs when ranking the defensive and offensive players together. Driver is a 12 year pro and in those 12 years he has not played in a game more important than this one. He can put an exclamation point on one of football's great careers. 

Driver has had a rough playoff stretch so far. He has caught only 12 passes for 141 yards with no touchdowns. There's no better place to get his first touchdown of the postseason than on the biggest stage of them all. 

The Packers can use a lift from their veteran wide out, and something tells me they just might get it. 

No. 9. Hines Ward

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

I've decided to go with the other veteran wide receiver for my No. 9 spot. Ward is a guy who every team would love to have, but nobody wants to play against. He plays very physical for an offensive player and loves going over the middle. 

So far in this postseason, Ward only has five catches for 39 yards. One of those catches is a touchdown. In order to win this game, Ward is going to have to make some big plays and be much more relevant in the passing game than he has been in Pittsburgh's other playoff games. 

No. 8. Greg Jennings

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates as he walks off the field after the Packers own 48-21 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta

I guess it's safe to say that while I value wide receivers, I don't find them to be the most important players in the Super Bowl. On a Packers team that's strengths are its passing game, Jennings is the most important player. That is why I rank him above both Ward and Driver. 

Jennings is an absolute beast at WR. He is Aaron Rodgers' go to guy and he loves being that guy. Jennings is yet to score a touchdown in the postseason so far, but he does have 17 catches for 239 yards which is an average of 14.1 yards per catch. 

If the Packers are to win the Super Bowl, Jennings is going to need to get going. When he's dominating, Driver is an easier target because Jennings must get extra attention. 

No. 7. Rashard Mendenhall

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs down field against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Jets

Mendenhall struggled a little moving the chains against the Ravens, but looked like a new man against the Jets. Rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown (he did have two against the Ravens, but on only 46 yards rushing) against a defense like the Jets must be refreshing for a young player like him. 

On a Pittsburgh football team that is all about their tough defense and power running game, it is very important that Mendenhall has a good game. If he doesn't, it's going to be much tougher on Roethlisberger who loves the extra throwing space that Mendenhall provides him with. 

No. 6. Ike Taylor

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on 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 by Nick Laham/G

Ike Taylor is the best corner the Pittsburgh Steelers have and they are going to need him more on this night than any other. Going against the wide receivers of the Green Bay Packers is not going to be fun, but it's something that Taylor is going to be in charge of. 

Taylor is the oldest and most experienced CB the Steelers have and that is one of the many reasons he is one of the most important players in this game. He must lead by example for his fellow defensive backs or they could be picked apart by Rodgers and co. 

No. 5. James Harrison

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by G

Honestly, I could have had him higher. It was a very tough decision putting him here, but Harrison is going to play a huge part in the Super Bowl. Already having a fantastic postseason, Harrison looks to continue showing why he is one of the most feared players in the league. 

So far in the playoffs, Harrison has 14 tackles and three sacks. If Harrison can keep up the way he has been playing, the Steelers should be in great shape. Ultimately I put Harrison here because he's a very safe pick and he's been consistent. He's not somebody the Steelers are worried about because they know he's going to perform well and give it his all. 

No. 4. Troy Polamalu

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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

Troy Polamalu is the guy I have as the number four most important player in this game. Oddly enough, I think he's the best player who will be on the field on Sunday. Just in this one game, other players will need to do better than him in order to win. 

Polamalu, like I said earlier, is going to be the best player on field on Sunday. He might even be the best player in the league on the defensive side of the ball. Polamalu is a ball hawk who is literally all over the field. It's nearly indescribable how often you will see him on a tackle and just say, "How did he get there?" 

Polamalu has only had seven tackles in the postseason so far, but he will certainly be one of the game changers Sunday if the Steelers are to come out of the game victorious. 

No. 3. Clay Matthews

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Linebacker Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers holds up two fingers against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

It's quite weird that another guy who is arguably the best defensive player in the league is on the team. Actually, no it isn't. This is the Super Bowl and defense wins championships. 

Matthews is the best defensive player for a Packers defense that everybody seems to be doubting. It will be his job on Sunday to shut the haters up. 

Matthews has 13 tackles and 3.5 sacks so far in the postseason and if he can make Roethlisberger uncomfortable on Sunday, the Packers will be there at the end of the game. 

No. 2. Ben Roethlisberger

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a play against the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Jets 24 to 19

"Big" Ben Roethlisberger finds himself at number two in these power rankings and with good reason. Roethlisberger knows how to win games. 

Ben has already won two championships in his relatively young NFL career and he is going for number three and a chance to cement the team he's led since being a rookie as a dynasty. Roethlisberger may not do it in the prettiest of ways, but he knows how to get the job done and his unorthodox style will surely cause problems for Clay Matthews and that Green Bay defense. 

If this game comes down to a last possession and Roethlisberger has the ball in his hands, the ending could be a sad one for the cheese heads. 

No. 1. Aaron Rodgers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass 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)

Rodgers has had a great postseason so far and that is basically without his two best receivers performing to their capabilities. This Sunday, Rodgers will be the most important player on the field. He is the offensive leader of his team and the reason that the Packers have done so well this season and in the playoffs. 

He has thrown for six touchdowns and two interceptions so far and has a passer rating of 109.2. Rodgers must play well and prove that he can handle the pressure of being a Super Bowl quarterback. 

If Rodgers is to lead the Pack to a Super Bowl victory on Sunday, he will in fact make the jump from ordinary to extraordinary.