Super Bowl 2011: 10 Reasons Packers-Steelers is a Great Matchup
It's hard to think of a matchup that would be as great as the Packers and Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
Every matchup brings something different to the table, and there is no exception when it comes to Green Bay and Pittsburgh.
There have been storylines all week building anticipation for the big game. There will be matchups on the field that will make for one of the greatest Super Bowls ever.
Here are 10 reasons why the Packers-Steelers matchup may be one of the greatest the Super Bowl has ever seen.
The Quarterbacks
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Sometimes you get a Super Bowl where one quarterback is clearly better than the other. This isn't one of those cases.
Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are on almost level playing fields when on the field. When off the field, they are both trying to overcome different adversities.
Roethlisberger was suspended the first four games of the season due to misconduct during the offseason. This season, he has appeared to turn that all around, becoming a better teammate and person off the field. A Super Bowl victory would be a perfect ending to his tale of redemption.
Rodgers continues to play in the shadow of Brett Favre. Having to take the reigns from a Hall of Fame quarterback is no small task. With a Super Bowl victory, Rodgers could start his own reign with the Packers.
Defense Still Wins Championships
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Dom Capers and Dick LeBeau are two of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. In a league where high powered offense has become regular, the Super Bowl will be between two of the best defenses in the league.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were the top defense during the regular season, allowing only 14.5 points per game.
The Green Bay Packers weren't far behind. They finished the regular season as the second ranked defense in the league, allowing 15.0 points per game.
It's amazing how the league has transformed over time. No longer do you see many of the hard hitting defenses and power running games as a teams philosophy.
The Packers and Steelers may have drifted some from the power running game, but both defenses are no joke.
James Starks Vs. Pittsburgh's Front Seven
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It's not just the storylines that make this game exciting; it's the individual matchups on the field.
James Starks has broken out as the possible future at running back for the Packers this postseason. The Packers had struggled running the ball all season.
During the postseason, Starks has more carries than any other running back and has the most yards rushing.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense, as stated before, is no joke. The primary reason for their success has come in shutting down the opposing teams running game.
During the regular season, they held opponents to 62.8 yards per game on the ground, the best in the league.
It should be exciting to see who wins the battle on Sunday.
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The Wildcard Team is the Favorite
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When a Wildcard team is able to make the playoffs and be considered the favorites, you know you are in for a fantastic matchup.
The Green Bay Packers ended the season with a 10-6 record and just squeaked into the playoffs.
Now, they are 2.5-3 point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.
"I think when you put our backs against the wall, when you tell us that we're an underdog and we can't do something, that's when we fight and we're at our best," said Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke.
Talk about adding some fuel to the fire.
Steelers Receivers Vs Packers Cornerbacks
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Mike Wallace had a huge regular season for the Steelers. Antonio Brown has been emerging recently as the number two guy for Big Ben. Hines Ward needs no introduction; we all know what he brings to the table.
The Green Bay Packers have a great secondary. Teams steer clear of throwing the ball in Charles Woodson's direction. It hasn't worked. Tramon Williams posted six interceptions during the regular season and has three more this postseason. Nickel cornerback Sam Shields has two interceptions this post season as well.
The Steelers receivers play physical football. The Packers secondary plays fast.
Everybody is talking about the defenses. Everybody is talking about Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense.
That leaves the Pittsburgh offense with almost no attention. The way it usually works, the overlooked usually has the biggest outcome on the game.
Packers Receivers Vs Steelers Cornerbacks
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The Steelers defense does not have many flaws. If you had to pick one, the pick would probably be cornerback.
Ike Taylor is a great corner. He is often underlooked because of the rest of the defenses success. Beyond that, the Steelers aren't deep. Bryant McFadden has been troubled by an abdominal injury, and William Gay needs to stay in the slot to be productive.
The Packers have an arsenal of weapons at wide receiver: Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones.
The matchup will be an interesting one. It will be a chess match to watch between Dick LeBeau and Mike McCarthy.
Publicly Owned Team
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For those who didn't know, the Packers are the only publicly owned team in the NFL.
That means it is the fans that own the team. Talk about a wonderful feeling. These people have the opportunity to be a part of something great. It may go unnoticed to some, but it's something that they can cherish the rest of their lives.
No matter who they are playing, it's always special for Green Bay when they make it to the Super Bowl.
The fans have a little more invested into it than most, which just adds to the excitement.
Clay Matthews and Troy Polamalu
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No, this isn't about their hair, although both of them do have some fantastic hair.
Clay Matthews and Troy Polamalu are the two biggest impact players on their respective defenses.
Matthews had 13.5 sacks during the regular season. He has 3.5 more sacks during the postseason. He is a playmaker and can change the pace of a game at any time.
Polamalu always seems to be in the right place at the right time. It's no coincidence. It's because Polamalu is one of the smartest players in the league. He knows where the ball is going before it happens. Despite fighting through injuries, he still led the Steelers with seven interceptions this year.
One of these guys, if not both, are going to make game altering plays for their team.
The Traditions
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These two teams are some of the most historic in NFL history.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the team of the modern era winning six Super Bowls, more than any other team in the league.
The Green Bay Packers have won 12 championships in franchise history. That's more than any other team in the league.
Vince Lombardi.
The Steel Curtain.
Both teams have made an impact in the NFL more than the majority of other teams. This matchup is a battle to be the top dog.
The Unsung Hero
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There is always an unsung hero in the Super Bowl.
David Tyree had the amazing catch ending the Patriots quest for perfection. Santonio Holmes made a toe tapping touchdown with little time left against the Cardinals.
Every year, there is somebody who makes the big play that nobody expects. This year, that person could be one of many.
James Starks, John Kuhn, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Andrew Quarless, Desmond Bishop, Sam Shields.
Rashard Mendenhall, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, William Gay, Ziggy Hood, Ryan Clark.
It could be any of these guys. It may not be.
That's the beauty of it all; we won't know until it happens.
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