Super Bowl 2011: 10 Exciting Match Ups to Watch For in Dallas

Black and Yellow vs. Green and Yellow. Is it really that simple? To some it is, but to others it is a match up between two of the most historic NFL franchises in history.

The Green Bay Packers posted a 10-6 record during the regular season, good enough to advance to the postseason as the NFC Wild Card out of the NFC North. Since the end of the regular season, Green Bay has gone 3-0 in the playoffs, and have dominated each of the road performances led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished with a 12-4 record and slid by the Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North Division Title. Going 2-0 in the playoffs, the team has not only been led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but has really made a statement defensively throughout the entire season. The Steel Curtain defense starts and ends with Troy Polamalu, who is looking for his third Super Bowl ring in his career.

Pittsburgh is going for their third Super Bowl Championship in the last six years.

Green Bay is looking to win their first Super Bowl since Brett Favre and Mike Holmgren won it in 1998.

Grab your favorite game day snacks and your favorite seat—here are the 10 most exciting match ups to watch for this Sunday in Super Bowl XLV.

10. Heath Miller Vs. John Kuhn

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers runs down field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Be

Both Heath Miller and John Kuhn have had their names shouted from all corners of their home stadiums throughout the entire season. But which will have a more impactful game this Sunday?

Miller leads the Steelers in both playoff receptions with seven, and receiving yards with 77. He is without a doubt Big Ben's main target when in need of a new set of downs.

There is probably no other fullback that has brought a bigger threat to a Super Bowl in the past decade than John Kuhn. He has undoubtedly become a staple in the Green Bay offensive attack—that is, without a veteran presence at running back.

Which name will the fans be yelling more, Heath or Kuhn? With the current point spread sitting at just two, Kuhn could have the most impact at the Pittsburgh goal line.

Advantage: Packers

9. Mike Tomlin Vs. Mike McCarthy

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers poses for photos during a press conference at the Super Bowl XLV media center on February 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sup

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will once again look to make NFL history Sunday night. Already the NFL's youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl two years ago, Tomlin, 38, will look to win his second NFL Championship in the last three seasons.

Tomlin owns a career regular season record of 43-21, and has gone a remarkable 5-1 in his career in the postseason.

Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy also has reason to be proud of his coaching accomplishments this season, leading his team to a 3-0 playoff record—winning all three games on the road. McCarthy owns a career head coaching record of 48-32 and a 4-2 career postseason record.

The Packers are considered the home team in the Super Bowl, a place where they went 7-1 during the regular season at Lambeau Field. Pittsburgh went 7-1 on the road during the 2010-11 regular season. Something tells me this game could be a real shootout.

Advantage: Steelers

8. Hines Ward Vs. 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

Both aging veterans still have a lot to prove this Sunday.

Hines Ward, 34, will be in search for his third career Super Bowl ring, undoubtedly making him smiling wherever he goes. You know he will be smiling this Super Bowl as well, but will he leave his mark in big game?

Donald Driver turned 36 this past Wednesday, and something tells me he is looking for a late birthday present in Super Bowl XLV. It's hard to believe that at 36 years old, Driver will be playing in his first Super Bowl in his career.

Knowing it could be his first and last trip to the Promised Land, Driver will try to play an even bigger role in the Packers' offense. It wouldn't surprise me to see him as the go-to receiver in the game.

Advantage: Packers

7. Cheese Heads Vs. Terrible Towels

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave terrible towels during their 2011 AFC Championship game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Dallas will virtually be transformed into a sea of yellow come Super Bowl Sunday, but which team will have the advantage in the stands?

Even though Green Bay may be 103 miles closer to Cowboys Stadium than the city of Pittsburgh, both cities will have their fair share of fans at the big game.

With this being the Steelers' third trip to the Super Bowl in six years, I would watch out if I was a Packers fan. Word of advice—you may want to hold on to your Cheese Heads, Packer fans. Those waving towels could become a real problem come game-time.

Advantage: Steelers

6. Rashard Mendenall Vs. 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)

Sure, both offenses need to throw the ball if they want any shot at the Lombardi Trophy, but the ground attack on either team will need to be present as well.

In just his second full season in the NFL, Rashard Mendenhall has shown he has been a presence in the offense this postseason. In two playoff games, Mendenhall has rushed for 167 yards on 47 attempts, and has scored three touchdowns.

Green Bay rookie James Starks has also had success in the playoffs, even with playing just three games during the regular season. On 70 rushing attempts this postseason, Starks has rushed for 263 yards, scoring one touchdown.

Mendenhall may have a little more experience, but Starks is scrappy enough to factor into the Packers offense in a very big way. Playing in a Super Bowl his rookie season—that in itself could prove to be a huge factor when it's all said and done.

Advantage: Packers

5. Ben Roethlesberger Vs. His Public Image

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers uses his phone as he is up on the pdium during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pitt

While it may not be a match up on the field, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will certainly look to better his image during the big game this weekend.

Yes, Big Ben has already made headlines of his wild partying in Dallas, but think about it. Wouldn't you be partying with teammates and fans if this was your third trip to the Super Bowl in the last six years?

Of course.

Another Super Bowl ring for Roethlisberger and the city of Pittsburgh will only help his public image as he looks to make his way back to redefining his legacy.

Advantage: Roethlisberger

4. Mike Wallace Vs. Greg Jennings

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mike Wallace #17 celebrates after Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scored a second quarter touchdown against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsbu

The battle of No. 1 receivers looks to be one of the most anticipated match ups in Super Bowl XLV.

Greg Jennings regular season stats:

76 rec.

1,265 yards

12 TD's

Mike Wallace regular season stats:

60 rec.

1,257 yards

10 TD's

Both receivers sure have the numbers to become playmakers and game changers this Sunday, but which player will come out on top with a Super Bowl ring and even a possible MVP award to their name?

Yes, a Rodgers-to-Jennings combo has torched defenses the whole year, but when it comes to a Roethlisberger-to-Wallace combo, that in itself brings a whole new aspect to the Super Bowl—the deep ball.

Both receivers so far though have been virtual no-shows this postseason, but something tells me that's going to change on Sunday. It should be interesting to see how both receivers fair, especially Wallace, as he was second in the entire NFL averaging 21 yards per reception during the regular season.

Advantage: Even

3. Troy Polamalu Vs. Aaron Rodgers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates the Packers 21-14 victory against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Doug Pensin

There is no doubt Troy Polamalu will look to give Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers his due with it being his first trip to a Super Bowl.

Rodgers (3-0 in the playoffs) has yet to be proven wrong in the postseason, throwing for six touchdowns and a total of 790 yards of offense in the air. Polamalu, long hair and all, will certainly cause a problem for Rodgers and the entire Green Bay offense at times during the Super Bowl.

Even though Polamalu may have the advantage with two Super Bowl rings, Rodgers and his imaginary wrestling belt will pose a bigger threat to the Steelers and their tough defense.

Advantage: Packers

2. Clay Matthews Vs. Ben Roethlesberger

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates as he walks off the field after the Packers won 48-21 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta

Yes, Polamalu may have the longer hair when compared to Clay Matthews, but Matthews will look to have the last laugh come Sunday. Finishing fourth in the NFL with 13.5 sacks during the regular season, Matthews will show Ben Roethlisberger what the Matthews family is all about.

While the Steeler defense may have an edge over the Packers, there is no stopping Clay Matthews and his quest for his first Super Bowl ring of his career.

Look for Big Ben to be thrown on his back early and often by Matthews and the Green Bay defense. If Pittsburgh has any shot at a seventh championship, they better find a way to contain big No. 52 or the many Cheese Heads will be rejoicing in sweet victory.

Advantage: Packers

1. Green Bay Packers Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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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

When it comes to both teams, neither the Pittsburgh Steelers or Green Bay Packers hold a legitimate edge in Super Bowl XLV.

The Packers offense:

10th in points scored (24.2 points per game)

5th in passing yards (257.8 yards per game)

24th in rushing yards (100.4 yards per game)

The Steelers offense:

12th in points scored (23.4 points per game)

14th in passing yards (225.1 yards per game)

11th in rushing yards (120.2 yards per game)

Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers have the slight advantage when it comes to the offense, averaging about one more point and almost 25 more passing yards each game.

The Packers Defense:

2nd in points allowed (15 points a game)

5th in passing yards allowed (194.2 yards a game)

18th in rushing yards allowed (114.9 a game)

The Steelers Defense:

1st in points allowed (14.5 points a game)

14th in passing yards allowed (214.1 yards a game)

1st in rushing yards allowed (62.8 yards a game)

There is no doubt the Steelers hold a solid advantage against the Packers on defense, as Green Bay has allowed more than 50 rushing yards than the Steel Curtain. Will it stay that way come Super Bowl XLV?

Advantage: Packers over the Steelers, 33-27