Super Bowl 2011: 10 Bold Predictions For XLV

With any other sport, when the championship game is weeks or days or even hours away, people are still going to talk about what will and what won't happen.

Everyone thought that the Patriots would be the Giants until David Tyree made the 21st version of the "Immaculate Catch."

Critics thought that Walter Payton was going to run all over the Patriots in Super Bowl XX when he actually didn't score a single touchdown in the game; he was used as a decoy.

What are the predictions for Super Bowl XLV? While I can't go out and find the ones that all the experts are making, I'll throw out ten of mine own:

Rashard Mendenhall Doesn't Gain 60 Or More Yards Rushing

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Josh Mauga #58 and David Harris #52 of the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (

Throughout the postseason, Mendenhall has average 83.5 yards per game. He's also gotten in the end zone three times, to lead all postseason running backs.

His worries come Sunday night? A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji. He could be facing a brick wall.

Mendenhall will be facing the second best rush defense in the postseason too, so this could be very possible. However, if he were to walk away from the game victorious or not with only 50 or so rushing yards, I wouldn't be surprised.

Tramon Williams Get Two Interceptions, One Being a Pick Six

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers returns a kick against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

One wonders how Williams would play as a wide receiver...

Three interceptions, six passes defended and one touchdown in the postseason—leads the NFL. His partner in crime, Sam Shields, is right up there with him grabbing two INTs of his own.

He also picked off opposing quarterbacks six times this regular season. Williams has a nose for the ball and will go after it. Even if he were to get one interception, he'll still take it to the house.

Aaron Rodgers Leaves The Game With a Concussion

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs for a first down as linebacker Matt Wilhelm #56 of the San Diego Chargers brings him down during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 11, 2005 in Green Bay, Wis

Aaron loves to run when the pressure gets to be too much. He's already ran for 56 yards and two scores after the regular season.

My guess is that he'll start to feel too vulnerable when Pittsburgh's defense comes barreling in on him and James Farrior will throw him down to the ground.

Of course, Farrior might get fined for the hit, but hey, at least it'll better the Steeler's chances for winning the Super Bowl.

No Throwing TD's All Game

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a second quarter touchdown pass with Mike Wallace while playing the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory S

A game featuring two outstanding quarterbacks ends with neither one of them throwing a touchdown? A very unlikely story but it's possible.

Rodger's is going up against the better pass defense of the Super Bowl and Roethlisberger is facing standouts like Sam Shields, Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson—to name a few.

If the pressure is put on by both rush defenses, stupid throws will be made, interceptions will be made and no touchdowns will be thrown.

No Touchdowns, Only Field Goals

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Kicker Shaun Suisham #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers kicks an extra point against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham

A follow up to the possibility of there being no passing touchdowns, what if there were no touchdowns at all? Not only are the Steelers the better pass defense, they're also the best rush defense. The best rush defense for the entire postseason and the regular season.

Green Bay is just as good, only allowing about twenty more yards per average than the Steelers in the postseason. 

It's obvious that both teams exhibit standout linebackers so stopping the rush and administering goal line stands isn't anything out of the ordinary.

A Complete Blow Out

I don't want to sound like a hypocrite, so for those who read my other article (Super Bowl 2011: Steelers vs. Packers a Blowout or a Nail-Biter?) please disregard that. For those of you who haven't let's keep on trucking.

It could be a blowout in two ways: There's a lot of defensive mistakes which leads to the game being a gun slinging contest OR there's a lot of offensive mistakes which leads to a lot of turnovers and defensive touchdowns.

As stated before Tramon Williams returned a pick 70 yards for a touchdown in the postseason and James Harrison returned an 100-yard interception for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLII. 

Aaron Rodgers Throws For Three Picks

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks up at the replay after throwing an interception against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on November 2, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Packer

He failed to continue his hot streak against the Chicago Bears throwing for two interceptions, and their pass defense wasn't the greatest in either the regular season or postseason. Look what Tom Brady did to them.

Ike Taylor, I believe, will nab at least one of Rodger's throws. He has the height advantage on both premier Packer's receivers (Greg Jennings and Donald Driver). Ryan Clark will also be looming in the secondary and not to mention Troy Polamalu will also be present.

But the secondary isn't the only fear that Rodgers should have when throwing the ball. Watch out for James Harrison and James Farrior as well.

Big Ben Walks Away With a Super Bowl Loss But Is Named Super Bowl MVP

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 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. (Ph

It's possible.

I expect Roethlisbeger to have a huge game no matter what. He'll throw two to three touchdowns and rush for at least one. He'll come close to throwing for three hundred yards and never get sacked—and overall QB rating of 120+.

Unfortunately, though, his defense was terrible and they let Starks rush all over the place. 

Big Ben was the standout of the game, but the rest of Pittsburgh couldn't follow his lead.

Aaron Rodgers Walks Away With a Super Bowl Loss But Is Named Super Bowl MVP

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IRVING, TX - FEBRUARY 02: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers talks to the media on February 2, 2011 in Irving, Texas. The Green Bay Packers will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in

Well I'm sure you can guess how I'm going to go about this one...

Aaron Rodgers will be outstanding, it'll look like he wasn't even trying the whole game. Touchdown after touchdown—he ends up throwing four touchdowns for almost 400 yards.

BUT, his defense lets him down, let's Big Ben pick apart the defense and Mendenhall goes for almost two hundred yards but no touchdowns. 

Plus, Aaron Rodgers was probably the best player throughout the playoffs so if this were hockey, he'd most likely be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy at the end of it all.

Christina Aguilera Blows The National Anthem

Had to do it.

After losing the spotlight ever since she got into her twenties, Christina is getting a big-time gig and that's singing the national anthem for the Super Bowl. 

But she's 30 years old now, does she still have the voice that she did when she was younger?

All in all, it doesn't really matter, it won't make or break the game.

Well, I hope you enjoyed what I thought might be a bunch of possible outcomes of Super Bowl XLV, only three more days until the big game. Enjoy.