Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 Bold Last Minute Locks for Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV

At this point, all the information is out there about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

What else is there to know really?

Super Bowl XLV is hours away at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Much has been made the rich tradition and history surrounding both the Steelers and the Green Bay Packers, the two quarterbacks and the coaches. Pittsburgh is playing for its seventh Lombardi Trophy tonight, but a lot must happen for the Steelers to hoist another trophy.

So let's exhale and roll the dice one last time. Here are 10 quick bets, including some prop bets, you can make tonight for the Steelers:   

10. The Big Ben Soap Opera Will Be Rehashed

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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

Bank on it happening during all the pregame shows. If Pittsburgh happens to win, you can bet some reporter will ask Ben Roethlisberger to reflect and talk about how "he feels" and "what it's like" to be at this point after how the season began.

Some questions have to be asked, and those facts need to be mentioned but it's also lazy journalism and that story's been beaten to death enough this week. There's a saying in the business: "spin it forward." 

If Pittsburgh wins, that gives Roethlisberger three Super Bowl titles already. He's one shy of matching Terry Bradshaw, he's going to equal Tom Brady. That will be your story.

9. Wearing Them Down

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after they stopped the New York Jets on the goal line on the fourth down in the fourth quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsb

As the game progresses, look for Pittsburgh to just gradually keep wearing Green Bay down. They've reached this point by surviving one of the toughest divisions in the NFL with a highly physical ground game and defense. They have also hung on for tough wins against Baltimore and the New York Jets.

Green Bay isn't going to out-physical a team where it's part of their DNA.

8. You'll Hear The Black Eyed Peas 12 Times

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) Taboo, Fergie, will.i.am and apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas attend a press conference at the Super Bowl XLV media center on February 3, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Black Eyed Peas will perform during the Bridgestone Super

Since they are part of the big game involving the Steelers, just a hunch that Fergie and this year's Super Bowl halftime group will be played over and over. Get ready for a little overkill.

7. Defensive Players Will Shine

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PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 28: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks to fans during the Super Bowl XLV Pep Rally on January 28, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

I'll be shocked if the Steelers or Packers put up big offensive numbers. Both teams have talented defenses, and Pittsburgh should cause plenty of trouble for Aaron Rodgers with James Harrison (pictured) and Troy Polamalu going full speed on blitzes.

6. Pittsburgh Will Control the Clock

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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

Pay attention to time of possession, which could become the most key stat in this game.

If you're the Steelers, the key is to keep Aaron Rodgers from having plenty of chances for big plays and not develop any rhythm. Expect lots of blitzes (not rocket science) and Pittsburgh trying to force quick three and outs, then grind away with long drives on offense. If they don't score, the Steelers will need to punt it deep and make it even tougher for the Packers to get on the board.

5. It Will Come Down to the Running Backs

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FORT WORTH, TX - FEBRUARY 02: Runningback Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with the media on February 2, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011 at Co

All the attention will be on Rodgers and Roethlisberger, but you've got to figure that going into the game both teams will use the run to set up the pass.

Pittsburgh was tops in the regular season in rush defense, allowing just under 63 yards per game. Green Bay allowed 4.7 yards per carry, and only six rushing touchdowns all year.

With the defenses focusing on the quarterbacks, watch and see which offensive line creates more gaps, or has better blocks for their running backs to run off tackle. Prediction: Green Bay will finish with under 120 yards rushing.

4. Charles Woodson Will Disrupt One Big Play

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to their 2011 AFC Championship game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

I've got a feeling they'll go head-to-head and give each other fits, but something tells me Green Bay quarterback Charles Woodson will break up or deflect one perfect pass meant for Hines Ward. This has the potential to be the best matchup of the game.

Let's hope it lives up to the hype.

3. Big Ben Praise Will Get Crazy

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

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

If Pittsburgh wins, expect the hyperbole to be ridiculous and the comparisons to get out of control. Ben Roethlisberger has the chance at a third Lombardi trophy, which should make him the NFL's second best quarterback. 

Don't be surprised if there are claims that he's better than Tom Brady and already replacing Terry Bradshaw in Steelers' lore. Like I said, some people get a little carried away.

2. The Final Score...

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: William Gay #22 and Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate Gay's second quarter touchdown scored after Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets fumbled during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January

Points will be tough to come by, and as much as I'd prefer to see Green Bay win, I'm going with the Steelers 27-24.

1. Bank On Them Have One Great Commercial

Life doesn't have a lot of guarantees, but one thing you can bank on is E-Trade will have another hilarious baby commercial. So just relax on this one. It'll happen.