Super Bowl weekend is finally here. As much as the Bears fan in me still aches at the thought of the Packers playing in the big game, it is still the Super Bowl and the biggest game of the year. That means it gets my full attention as a sports nerd, enthusiast and writer. All week I have been biding my time and reading up on the specifics of the game to come to a conclusion on who I will take. So here we go with my full Super Bowl XLV preview.
Let's start with the Packers. Yes, I'm a Bears fan, but I live in Wisconsin and end up reading up and watching most everything on them throughout the season. There is a story on ESPN.com Insider section (HEAD TO SUPER BOWL CENTRAL) talking about their six losses this season. The keys to the Packers losing is simple, they've given up sacks, lost the turnover battle and failed in the defensive secondary.
On the offensive side, the Packers have protected Aaron Rodgers (above) much better over the last month. A lot of that gets hidden with his escape ability, but still, sacks have not been prevalent during this five-game winning streak.
Rodgers has relied on his feet a lot more during that span. While that has helped him, it is also what got him hurt in what was one of his worst games of the season, the 7-3 loss to the Lions which saw Matt Flynn come in. He has been smarter after the concussion that followed, but the key for this game will be his ability to run and get down. The Steelers have a few head hunters who love to hit and would love to lay the smack down on the Packers QB. That jumps out to me as one of the keys to this game. If Rodgers can use his feet to get a few yards and a couple first downs to keep key drives alive, the Packers will be in good shape.
He has fixed the turnover thing, as well, but has not played the Steelers defense during that time. He did, however, play the Bears defense and threw a pair of interceptions in the NFC championship game. With many believing the Packers will try to spread the Steelers out and go with four or five receivers, he has to be smart with the ball against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
That leads me into a couple of the key matchups the Packers position players must win. The first of which is going to be the head games that will take place between Rodgers and Troy Polamalu. Troy will be lined up all over the field and it will test Rodgers' ability to call him out and the Packers O-line ability to pick him up if he comes on a blitz.
Also, when the Packers go with four or five wideouts, they will have to survive going across the middle. If they can win that area of the field, they should be able to march the ball up and down the field.
On the Steelers side, Ben Roethlisberger can also run. The difference is that he is a big guy at 260 pounds and it hard to bring down. He is not just a threat to run and any attacks on his ability as a quarterback are just from people who do not like him in the first place. The guy threw for 500 yards in the meeting against the Packers last season and can do that again. Will he in this game? I doubt it, but he has the ability to lead a team with his arm. There is a good story in Sports Illustrated this week about what he went through during his four-week suspension at the start of the season and I can kind of feel for the guy. If he wins this game, it is going to be big for him. Dare I say, this could be the one that helps land him in the Hall of Fame if the Steelers win. Before you question that, remember Terry Bradshaw had the Steel Curtain in the 70s to help him lead the Steelers to four titles and he is in the Hall, so don't laugh at that too fast.
Back to this game, Big Ben is going to have a similar head game that Rodgers will with Polamalu with Charles Woodson. Woodson is by trade a cornerback, but likes to cover the slot receiver when the Packers are in nickel and comes on a blitz. That could be a key and he will have to be accounted for.
I wouldn't make as big of a deal of the Steelers being without their rookie center Charles Pouncey in this game as many will. They have had two weeks to prepare for this game and as I have picked up throughout the week, things have been simplified and should be OK for the Steelers line. The Packers will still want to send rushers through the middle though and is the best way to attack Big Ben.
Another key matchup to keep an eye on is Mike Wallace. He caught the game winner in the Steelers 37-36 win over the Packers last season and while he has been quiet during the playoffs, has the speed to attack this Packers secondary and go off for a big game.
On the other side of that coin is Heath Miller. There might not be a better target in the red zone not named Tony Gonzalez. While Clay Matthews is a great rusher, I'm not sure how good he is in coverage and Miller is great at getting open for Ben to find.
I'm going to make you wait for the picks. Take in the rap songs made for both teams.
First, the "visiting" Steelers: "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Kalifa
For the "home" Packers it's "Green and Yellow" by Lil Wayne
THE PICK: Had to tease you a bit. Here we go. With all of what was said above, I have a hard time thinking the Packers don't have what it takes to win this game on all front. Aside from special teams, they have everything covered.
If they can start strong and not be start struck, they'll be fine. That said, I don't see them winning this game by four points or less. It's just their track record. Either way, this will be a great one to watch and enjoy.
So, with my grandpa on my mind, I know he'll be happy to know I'm picking his Packers to win this one in a shootout, 33-28.
The Super Bowl isn't the only big game being played this weekend. Sunday during halftime of the game in Dallas, the Lingerie Football League will be holding Lingerie Bowl VII. The game keep rising in popularity. I'm pretty sure, though, it's not for the great football being played, as you can see on Coed Magazine and below...
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